Topical Bible: The Power of Christ is Able to Subdue all Things

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The concept of Christ's power to subdue all things is a profound theme in Christian theology, emphasizing His divine authority and sovereignty over creation. This theme is rooted in several key biblical passages and is central to understanding the nature and mission of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural reference for this theme is found in Philippians 3:21, which states, "He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself" . This verse highlights the transformative power of Christ, not only in the physical resurrection of believers but also in His overarching authority to bring all creation under His dominion.

Another significant passage is Colossians 1:16-17, which declares, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" . This underscores Christ's preeminence and sustaining power over the universe.

Theological Implications

The power of Christ to subdue all things is a testament to His divine nature. As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus possesses the same omnipotence as God the Father. This power is not limited to the physical realm but extends to spiritual realities, including the defeat of sin and death. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has conquered the powers of darkness, as affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15:24-25: "Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet" .

Christ's Authority in the Gospels

The Gospels provide numerous accounts of Christ exercising His power over nature, illness, and demonic forces. In Matthew 8:27, the disciples marvel at Jesus calming the storm, saying, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!" . Similarly, in Mark 1:27, the people are amazed at His authority over unclean spirits: "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him" .

Eschatological Fulfillment

The ultimate expression of Christ's power to subdue all things will be realized in the eschaton, when He returns to establish His eternal kingdom. Revelation 19:15-16 portrays Christ as the conquering King: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords" .

Practical Application

For believers, the power of Christ to subdue all things offers assurance and hope. It affirms that no circumstance is beyond His control and that He is actively working to bring about His purposes. This truth encourages Christians to live in faith and obedience, trusting in Christ's ultimate victory and the promise of transformation into His likeness. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose" .

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... So saith the text, "according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things
unto himself." It is not some new power which Christ will take to himself ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

He Briefly Takes up Again the Same Points of Dispute...
... to the working, whereby He is able to subdue ... as it is written: "Who wrought in Christ,
raising Him ... the heavenly places, above principality and power and might ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xv he briefly takes.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... of Christ, but an immortality of holy power and service ... to the mighty working whereby
HE is able to subdue ... to give us ample views of what Jesus Christ is, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

All Fulness in Christ
... time shall be no more he will exercise the same infinite power to forgive ... hardness
of thy heart, nor the inveteracy of thy will; for Christ is able even to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/all fulness in christ.htm

On the Person of the Father and the Son
... "According to the efficacy whereby the Lord Jesus Christ is able even to ... the Father."
(John 5:23.) "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 5 on the person.htm

Christ Exalted
... The power of the God-Man Christ is infinite ... us spotless before his presence." He
is able to make "all things work together for good." He is "able to subdue ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... in them, to deliver it to the devouring power of death and ... well calculated to terrify
the enemies of Christ: but we ... to the working whereby he is able even to ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

The Redemption of the Body
... Nor will His transforming power cease till it has pervaded ... we stand at the last men
like Christ, redeemed in ... to the mighty working whereby He is able to subdue ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the redemption of the body.htm

The Texts of Scripture Explained Respecting the Subjection of the ...
... look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall ... according to the working whereby
He is able even to ... and puts down all rule and all authority and power. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 the texts of scripture.htm

Whether the Bodies of the Saints Will be Impassible after the ...
... a glorified body, since the Apostle ascribes to Christ's power the transformation ...
to the operation whereby also He is able to subdue all things unto Himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the bodies of the.htm