The Eternal Fatherhood of God
Derek Prince
Published: 2008
Last Updated: July 2026
Read Time: 2
Did you know that all fatherhood on earth is named after the eternal fatherhood of God Himself? This beautiful truth reveals that family life began long before creation in the perfect relationship between the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let’s take a closer look at the relationship of the Father to His children:
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14–15)
The J. B. Phillips translation of verse 15 reads, “From whom all fatherhood, earthly or heavenly, derives its name.” This verse contains a tremendous revelation—that the fatherhood of God is eternal, named after the fatherhood of God in heaven and deriving its sanctity and authority from being a projection on earth of the divine, eternal fatherhood of God in heaven.
Before creation ever took place, God was already a Father—the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This relationship of fatherhood and sonship within the Godhead is eternal. Before creation was brought into being, God was eternally a Father and Christ was eternally His Son. Every fatherhood in creation is named after the eternal fatherhood of God.
In a familiar verse from the gospel of John, Jesus said:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2)
This verse reveals the fact that God is a Father, and He has a house. In Scripture, however, the word house is never used primarily to indicate a physical, material building. Rather, it is always used of a family and the building they occupy. When Jesus said, “In My Father’s house,” He was talking about God’s heavenly family. God is eternally a Father, and family life has its origin in eternity in the father/son relationship within the Godhead.
*Prayer Response
Thank You, Father, that I am Your child. I proclaim that the fatherhood of God is eternal, and I am part of God’s heavenly family. I have received the Spirit of sonship, and by Him, I cry, “Abba, Father.” Amen.
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Code: WD-B097-266-ENG