I Corinthians 15:27 · Bible study
1 Corinthians 15:27 Commentary: All Things Under His Feet
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Paul quotes Psalm 8:6 to show Christ's final reign, with the Father excepted from subjection, a key to understanding the Son's relationship to the Father.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Father subjects all things to Christ, but the Father himself is not subjected.
- Key words: hupetaxen (subjected, aorist), ektos (excepted), dēlon (evident).
- Main debate: Whether the Son's subjection is permanent or part of his mediatorial role until the kingdom is delivered to the Father.
- Theological theme: Christ's reign and the Father's sovereignty in the eschatological kingdom.
- Best use: Teaching the resurrection, Christ's final victory, and the order of persons within the Trinity.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.
WEB World English Bible 2000
For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.
KJV King James Version 1769
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
for all things He did put under his feet, and, when one may say that all things have been subjected, it is evident that He is excepted who did subject the all things to him,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
For he has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he says that all things are put in subjection, [it is] evident that [it is] except him who put all things in subjection to him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
All things are put under him; undoubtedly, he is excepted, who put all things under him.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Porque todas las cosas sujetó debajo de sus pies. Y cuando dice: Todas las cosas son sujetadas á él, claro está exceptuado aquel que sujetó á él todas las cosas.
Porque ele sujeitou todas as coisas debaixo de seus pés. Porém quando diz que todas as coisas lhe estão sujeitas, está claro que se excetua aquele que todas as coisas lhe sujeitou.
Dieu, en effet, a tout mis sous ses pieds. Mais lorsqu’ il dit que tout lui a été soumis, il est évident que celui qui lui a soumis toutes choses est excepté.
Denn “er hat ihm alles unter seine Füße getan”. Wenn er aber sagt, daß es alles untertan sei, ist's offenbar, daß ausgenommen ist, der ihm alles untergetan hat.
Want Hij heeft alle dingen Zijn voeten onderworpen. Doch wanneer Hij zegt, dat Hem alle dingen onderworpen zijn, zo is het openbaar, dat Hij uitgenomen wordt, Die Hem alle dingen onderworpen heeft.
Difatti, Iddio ha posto ogni cosa sotto i piedi di esso; ma quando dice che ogni cosa gli è sottoposta, è chiaro che Colui che gli ha sottoposto ogni cosa, ne è eccettuato.
Bo wszystkie rzeczy poddał pod nogi jego. A gdy mówi, że mu wszystkie rzeczy poddane są, jawna jest, iż oprócz tego, który mu poddał wszystkie rzeczy.
потому что все покорил под ноги Его. Когда же сказано, что Ему все покорено, то ясно, что кроме Того, Который покорил Ему все.
因為經上說：「 神叫萬物 都服 在他 的腳 下。」 既 說 萬物 都服了他，明顯 那 叫萬物 服 他的，不在其內了。
For, as it says, He has put all things under his feet. But when he says, All things are put under him, it is clear that it is not said about him who put all things under him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · I Corinthians 15:27
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse cites Psalm 8:6 to affirm the Father's act of subjecting all things to the Son. Adam Clarke notes that Christ as Messiah and Mediator must be considered inferior to the Father, but the Father is excepted because he is the one who subjected all things. Barnes observes that Paul uses the psalm not necessarily as a direct messianic prophecy but as expressing the purpose of God to subdue all things to Christ. Calvin argues the same, noting that Adam lost the dominion but Christ recovers it. Gill and the Cambridge Bible reinforce that the Father is the subjector, and is therefore not included in the subjection. The clear consensus: the verse affirms Christ's supreme authority over all creation, while carefully upholding the Father's unique role as the one who gives that authority.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The Father, who subjects all things to the Son, is not himself subjected to the Son—preserving the distinction of persons and the Father's unique role as source.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Subjection of all things to Christ | Christians agree that the Father puts all things under Christ's authority, including every enemy and power. | Some interpret 'all things' as absolutely everything except the Father; others see a limit to things that oppose God's reign, with creation itself eventually liberated. |
| The exception of the Father | All traditions affirm that God the Father is not subjected to the Son as the other things are. | Some see this as reflecting the eternal order of the Trinity where the Son is subordinate in role; others emphasize that the exception is functional and temporary, not ontological. |
| Use of Psalm 8:6 | Paul quotes Psalm 8:6 as a scriptural warrant for Christ's universal dominion. | Some argue the psalm originally referred to humanity and is applied typologically to Christ; others insist it is a direct messianic prophecy. Both views seek to honor the text. |
| Subordination of the Son | Christians agree that the Son voluntarily submits to the Father in his incarnate and mediatorial work. | Traditions differ on whether this subordination extends to the eternal relationships within the Trinity or is limited to the economy of salvation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
First Corinthians 15 is Paul's great defense of the resurrection. The Corinthians, influenced by Greek thought that saw the body as inferior, doubted that the dead would be raised. Paul answers by grounding resurrection in Christ's own resurrection and its consequences for the final kingdom.
In verse 27, Paul quotes Psalm 8:6, a psalm that originally celebrated the dignity of humanity, 'You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet.' In Jewish tradition, this psalm was sometimes read messianically, as looking forward to a perfect ruler who would fulfill the original human calling. Paul applies it to Christ, the true Son of Man. The church fathers, such as those cited in the Cambridge Bible, saw Christ as the one through whom all things were made, making him the rightful heir of all authority.
The imagery of putting enemies 'under the feet' draws on an ancient custom: a conquering king would place his foot on the neck of defeated rulers as a sign of total subjection (Joshua 10:24). Paul uses this picture to show the completeness of Christ's victory over every opposing power, including death itself. The verb 'put in subjection' (hupetaxen) is aorist tense, indicating a decisive act already guaranteed in God's purpose, though its full realization awaits the end. As Barnes notes, Paul presents the subjection as a settled decree.
The final verse of the chapter (v.28) shows that Christ's reign is not independent but works toward the goal that 'God may be all in all.' This verse, then, sets up the necessary exception: the Father, who subjects all things to the Son, is not himself subjected. Christ's authority is delegated and will ultimately be returned to the Father in the completed kingdom.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Greek text is stable across major manuscripts, with only minor differences in word order that do not affect meaning.
Reception History
This verse has been central to Christian reflection on the relationship between the Father and the Son. In the early church, Cyril of Alexandria used it to argue that because Christ made all things, everything rightly falls under his feet (as cited in the Cambridge Bible). The exception of the Father helped guard against modalism, if the Father were included in subjection, the distinction of persons would blur. During the Reformation, Calvin and others emphasized that the Son's subjection pertains to his mediatorial office rather than his divine essence. The verse continues to shape how Christians understand the end of history, when the Son delivers the kingdom to the Father and the former order gives way to the full reality of God being 'all in all.'
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Father's authority to subject all things. God the Father is the one who puts all things under Christ's feet. This is an act of sovereign will, not a passive permission.
- The Son's comprehensive reign. All enemies, including death, are placed under Christ's feet. Nothing is left outside his control except the One who gave it.
- The exception of the Father himself. The Father is not subjected to the Son. This preserves the distinction of persons and reminds us that Christ's reign serves the Father's glory.
Five-point outline
- The proof of the resurrection: Christ must reign until all enemies are destroyed (vv. 25-26).
- The quotation from Psalm 8:6: God's original purpose for humanity is fulfilled in Christ.
- The aorist tense of 'put in subjection': it is as good as done.
- The exception: the Father is not included in the subjection.
- The end goal: the Son delivers the kingdom to the Father, so that God may be all in all (v.28).
Illustration hooks
- A relay race. The final runner receives the baton and crosses the finish line, then hands the baton to the coach. The runner has full authority during the race, but the coach is still the one who sent him and to whom the victory is credited.
- A child given responsibility. A parent puts a child in charge of a younger sibling for an afternoon. The child has authority over the younger one, but the parent remains the ultimate authority and is not under the child's rule.
- A conquering general. After a victory, the general places his foot on the enemy's weapons. But the emperor who gave the general his commission is not bowing down, he is the one who bestowed the victory.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus is God, how can the Father be 'excepted' from his reign? Does this mean Jesus is less than the Father?
- How does this verse help us understand the Trinity, are the Father and Son equal or not?
- What does it mean that Christ's reign is temporary? Will Jesus stop being King?
Leading a Discussion
This verse appears in the middle of Paul's great resurrection chapter. It clarifies how Christ's reign relates to the Father's sovereignty and raises deep questions about the Trinity and the end times. As you discuss, aim to understand both the logic of Paul's argument and the heart of the relationship between Father and Son.
Discussion questions
- Observation: Who is the subject of the verb 'put all things in subjection'? Who does the excepting refer to?
- Interpretation: Why does Paul need to make this exception? What misunderstanding might he be preventing?
- Interpretation: How does the Father's act of subjecting all things to the Son relate to Christ's own words in Matthew 28:18: 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth'?
- Interpretation: How does this verse prepare for the climactic statement in verse 28: 'that God may be all in all'?
- Application: What comfort or hope does this truth give you about the final defeat of death and evil?
- Application: How does seeing the Father as the source of all authority affect your understanding of prayer and worship?
- Application: If Christ's reign ultimately serves the Father's glory, how might that shape your own motives in leadership or service?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 8:6 | You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet: |
| Matthew 11:27 | All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. |
| Matthew 28:18 | Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. |
| John 3:35 | The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. |
| John 13:3 | Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, |
| Ephesians 1:20 | which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, |
| Ephesians 1:22 | He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, |
| Philippians 2:9 | Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws a careful distinction: the Father, who placed all things under Christ, is himself excepted from that subjection. As Messiah and Mediator, Christ remains subordinate to the Father, and his human nature, even united to the divine, is always inferior to God. He suggests the verse should be read as a parenthetical statement.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues that Paul uses the language of Psalm 8 not as a direct messianic prophecy but as a fitting expression of God's purpose to subject all things to Christ. He stresses that Paul explicitly excepts God the Father from that subjection, preventing any misunderstanding that the Son's dominion overtakes the Father's authority.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin addresses a tension in the Psalm: it speaks of all humanity, yet Paul applies it to Christ alone. He resolves this by explaining that Adam's fall forfeited humanity's rightful dominion, so we now possess nothing except in Christ. Therefore the "all things" belong to Christ personally, and we share them only through Him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator clarifies that putting all things under Christ’s feet does not include the Father, who is the one who placed everything under the Son. This passage and Hebrews 2:7-9 complement each other: one shows the Son bringing creation into full submission to the Father, the other reveals the Father’s purpose in permitting Christ’s suffering to achieve that final subjection.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes point out that when Scripture says all things are put under Christ's feet, it necessarily excludes the Father, who is the one who subjected all things to the Son. The Father is not included in the "all things" placed under Christ's authority.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes that when Scripture says all things are put under Christ, it expressly excepts the Father, who gave Christ that authority. The same exception applies to the Holy Spirit. This preserves the Father's superiority and confirms that Christ's universal rule covers every created thing, but not the persons of the Godhead.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that "all things" under Christ's feet includes even death itself, a complete and lasting subjection. God's declaration is treated as already accomplished because His word is as certain as the deed. This total victory is pictured as a footstool, showing perfect dominion.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated miracle but the firstfruits of the harvest, meaning his rising guarantees and patterns the resurrection of all who belong to him. Because death came through one man, Adam, life also comes through one man, Christ, and believers will be raised in their proper order at his coming.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights two possible readings of the phrase "When He saith." One takes it as God speaking through the Psalmist in the present tense. The other gives it a future sense, referring to the moment at the end when God declares that all things are finally subjected to Christ.