Ephesians 3:15

The whole family. There has been much discussion as to whether this phrase should be translated, “the whole family,” or “every family.” The Greek may be rendered either way, although normally a construction such as appears here would be translated “every” and not “the whole.” However, a number of exceptions may be cited in which a construction such as is used here clearly stands for “the whole,” or “the entire” (Matt. 3:15; 28:18; Acts 1:21; etc.). A notable exception is Eph. 2:21, where the same construction is rendered “all the building,” or “the whole structure” (RSV), whereas in ch. 3:15 the RSV reads “every family.” Since the Greek here is not clearly definitive, the context must decide as to the translation to be adopted. Paul appears to be speaking of unity and seems to conceive of the beings in heaven and the saints on the earth as one large family. If the translation “every family” is adopted, it seems necessary to conceive of several families in heaven. Such the Scriptures do not describe. It seems better therefore to adopt the reading “the whole family,” which conveys the sense of unity and wholeness of the community of God, the Father of all, a theme to which the apostle frequently reverts.