Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 3:15

"from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," — Ephesians 3:15 (ASV)

The Father is the One after whom “the whole family” is named. Paul confines the concept of family here to believers. This is altogether in keeping with the context and the inference drawn from 2:18–19 (cf. 2:20, 22; 3:6). This family of God is not confined to earth but embraces heaven as well. This may simply refer to the church triumphant, but could include the angelic hosts, described in rabbinic literature as “the higher family.”