What does Ephesians 4:6 mean? "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

This scripture tells us that there is only one God, the creator of the universe. He is the father of all living beings. This is well stated in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “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.” This shows that God is a God of order and, He is the top authority as stated in the text “who is above all”.  

In this verse, the word “you” is an interpretive translation and not specifically found in the Greek text. The thought of “through all and in all” is that He is working out his plans for mankind through all things and in all circumstances. In this sense, He is in all. 

God works His will directly in His children – whether obedient spirit beings or true Christians. We pray as did Jesus, “not my will but thy will be done.” As adopted children of God, God graciously directs our lives “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

God also uses the disobedient to manifest His authority, power, and will. Recall how God chose a specific Egyptian pharaoh during the Exodus. Why? Because God knew that pharaoh would hardened his heart to God’s command and to the cries of Israel. Exodus 4:21, “And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.” 

God can and does use all to work out His plans. “For the wrath of man shall praise You…” Psalm 76:10 (NASB).  As stated in Romans 9:21-24 (RSV), “Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he has called…”  

God willed, from the creation of the earth, to redeem all mankind. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3,4. When Jesus died, He redeemed and guaranteed the resurrection of everyone. All mankind will be restored to perfection, joy, and peace in Christ’s kingdom on earth. Those who choose to obey and love God’s will will live forever.