<p>3:15 <i>From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named</i>- &quot;Every family&quot; may be a reference to every church, especially appropriate given that most of the early churches were house churches, meeting as family. The phrase can equally be rendered &quot;the whole family&quot;. Paul chooses to use the word <i>patria</i> to describe this new &ldquo;family in heaven and earth&rdquo; to which we belong in Christ. The word <i>patria </i>is defined by Strong as meaning &ldquo;a group of families&rdquo; that comprise a nation s.w. Acts 3:25 &ldquo;all kindreds of the earth&rdquo;. The various family units / house churches comprised the overall body of Christ, the nation of the new Israel. Eph. 3:15 takes on a new meaning in the light of the house-church nature of early Christianity. God is the <i>pater </i>father- the head of the house from whom every home <i>patria</i> in heaven and on earth is named&rdquo;. We&rsquo;re invited to see God as a family God, with us as &ldquo;the household of God&rdquo; (Eph. 2:19; 3:15). See on Acts 8:3; Col. 1:20. By baptism into the Name, we have His family Name named upon us. To be aware of who Yahweh is, of the characteristics outlined in Ex. 34:5-7 that comprise His Name&hellip; this must surely affect <i>our</i> behaviour, seeing we bear that Name. It is an understanding of the Name that inspires our faith in forgiveness. &quot;Though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many&quot; (Jer. 14:7,9,21). The Name is called upon us in baptism (Jer. 14:9 = Eph. 3:15), and this is why we urge men to be baptized into the Name to wash away their sins. See on Heb. 13:15.</p>