And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
This verse comes from Paul's extended teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 on resurrection and the ultimate future of all creation. "The Son" refers to Jesus Christ, and "him" refers to God the Father. Paul is describing a moment at the very end of history: after Jesus has defeated death and every hostile power and placed all things under God's authority, the Son himself willingly submits to the Father — not as a sign of inferiority, but as the completion of a redemptive mission. "God may be all in all" describes the final state of reality, where God's presence, love, and reign permeate everything without obstacle or opposition. It is a vision of total, unhindered restoration.
Father, I can barely imagine what it means for you to be all in all — but I want to. Help me trust the end of this story even when the middle is confusing and painful. And teach me, like your Son, the grace of surrender. Amen.
"God may be all in all." Four words attempting to describe what no human mind has fully grasped. This isn't abstract theology for its own sake — it's the destination of history. Every prayer that went unanswered, every injustice left uncorrected, every tear shed in a hospital room at 3 AM — Paul is saying there is an ending to this story. And the ending is not silence. It's God, fully present, in everything, without remainder. What stops me cold in this verse is the Son's voluntary submission. Jesus — through whom everything was made — willingly hands everything back. No grasping for position, no ego, no competition. Just love completing itself in surrender. And if that is the posture of the Son of God, it quietly reframes every power struggle you find yourself in, every need to be right, every door you're white-knuckling open. The greatest act in all of cosmic history ends not in triumph-by-force, but in the beauty of return. What might that invitation mean for you today, in the small surrenders of an ordinary week?
What do you think Paul means by "God may be all in all" — try to describe in your own words what that kind of complete divine presence would actually feel like to experience?
The Son submitting to the Father here is not defeat — it's mission completion. How does that reframe the way you think about yielding or submitting in your own relationships or work?
This verse points to a final restoration of all things. How does that future hope change the way you sit with present suffering or injustice that still feels unresolved and raw?
If God will ultimately be "all in all," how does that affect the way you think about people who seem far from God right now — including yourself on your hardest, most doubtful days?
Where in your life right now is God asking you for a small surrender? What would it look like to trust him with that specific thing this week?
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Matthew 13:41
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:21
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:11
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:3
Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 14:28
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:7
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:14
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:11
However, when all things are subjected to Him (Christ), then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One (the Father) who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all [manifesting His glory without any opposition, the supreme indwelling and controlling factor of life].
AMP
When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
ESV
When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
NASB
When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
NIV
Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
NKJV
Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
NLT
When everything and everyone is finally under God's rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God's rule is absolutely comprehensive—a perfect ending!
MSG