Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 3:21

"unto him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen." — Ephesians 3:21 (ASV)

This liturgical ascription of glory is a recognition rather than an augmentation of what belongs to God alone. The close juxtaposition of “the church” (put first!) and “Jesus Christ” is arresting. For Paul, body and members form a single entity. The honor of Jesus is in the hands of his church. Paul closes by combining two common liturgical expressions (cf. Daniel 7:18), producing a stronger phrase than usual to describe eternity. Once again, the fact that the church is included here is remarkable. In Christ, the Bride will live forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 22:17), to which the response of all God’s people must be “Amen” (i.e., “Yes indeed, Lord”).