Ephesians 4:6

The phrase ἐπὶ πάντων with the genitive generally denotes spatial or figurative presence “before all,” “in the presence of all,” or “in front of all” (cf. LSJ s.v. ἐπί, A.I.2: “before, in the presence of”). 

While ἐπί with the genitive can express authority or governance over a group (e.g., ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν ὁπλιτῶν “the one in charge of the hoplites,” Demosthenes), this usage is typically confined to clearly defined administrative, military, or hierarchical contexts where the locus of command is explicit (cf. Smyth, Greek Grammar, §1689).

Smyth notes that ἐπί with the genitive often denotes familiar or natural relations and tends to be “colourless and phraseological,” lacking the spatial or emphatic precision found in ἐπί with the dative (Smyth, Greek Grammar, §1689). Furthermore, ἐπί + genitive is frequently employed to express presence “in the time of” or “before” (ἐπὶ πάντων, i.e., “in the presence of all”) rather than explicit rulership (Smyth §1689b; Demosthenes, Philippics 2.15; Xenophon, Anabasis 6.1.22):

"In expressions of simple superposition ἐπί with the gen. denotes familiar relations and natural position; whereas ἐπί with the dat. gives clear and emphatic outlines to statements of the definite place of an object or action, is used in detailed pictures, and marks the object in the dative as distinct from the subject of the verbal action. ἐπί with the gen. is colourless and phraseological, and often makes, with the verb or the subject, a compound picture."

Thus the phrase ἐπὶ πάντων, when lacking such contextual markers, more commonly conveys the sense of “in the presence of all” or “before all,” denoting public visibility or openness. This predominance accords with the broader semantic range of ἐπί + genitive, where the genitive frequently indicates spatial or figurative proximity—such as “upon,” “at,” or “before” a collective—rather than inherent authority. Thus, interpreting ἐπὶ πάντων as “(ruling) over everyone” is far less common and generally requires further contextual specification to be plausible.

Moreover, when the sense is one of authority, control, or governance “over everyone,” the dative plural is typically employed: ἐπὶ πᾶσι(ν). This construction expresses dominion or jurisdiction over all persons or matters, a nuance distinct from mere presence or location. This usage is well-attested in classical literature. For example, Demosthenes (On the Crown 18.248) uses ὁ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἄρχων to mean “the ruler over all,” indicating jurisdiction. Similarly, Plutarch (Pericles 7.3) uses ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς πράγμασιν to signify being “in charge of all matters.” (cf. LSJ s.v. ἐπί, B.I.1b)

Thus, the genitive with ἐπί focuses on presence or position relative to all, whereas the dative stresses authority or responsibility over all.