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Ephesians 3 · a question people ask

"to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places" (3:10). Who are they?

In the text

The chapter doesn't say. It says only that "now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places" (3:10), "according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." (3:11). It doesn't say who or what they are, or how the wisdom of God is made known to them. These notes don't say either, and apply the words to no person, group, practice or ministry today.

The verses

“to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ephesians 3:10-11 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3: The mystery of Christ

Ephesians 3 speaks of a mystery "which for ages has been hidden in God" (3:9), and says "that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News" (3:6); three times in 3:2-8 it says grace was given to the one who calls himself "the very least of all saints" (3:8).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions