Vincent's NT Word Studies
15. Of whom (ex ou). After whom.The whole family (pasa patria) Rev., more correctly, every family. Patria is, more properly, a group of families - all who claim a common pathr. father. Family, according to our usage of the term, would be oikov house. The Israelites were divided into tribes (fulai), and then into patpiai, each deriving its descent from one of Jacob's grandsons; and these again into oikoi houses. So Joseph was both of the house (oikou) and family (patriav) of David. We find the phrase oikoi patriwn houses of the families, Exod. xii. 3; Num. i. 2. The word occurs only three times in the New Testament: here, Luke ii. 4; Acts iii. 25. In the last-named passage it is used in a wide, general sense, of nations. Family is perhaps the best translation, if taken in its wider meaning of a body belonging to a common stock - a clan. Fatherhood (Rev., in margin), following the Vulgate paternitas, means rather the fact and quality of paternity. Observe the play of the words, which can scarcely be reproduced in English, pater, patria.
In heaven and earth. To the angelic hosts and the tribes of men alike, God is Father. There may be a suggestion of the different ranks or grades of angels, as principalities, thrones, powers, etc. See ver. 10. "Wherever in heaven or in earth beings are grouped from their relation to a father, the name they bear in each case is derived from the Father" (Riddle).
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:15 {Every family} (pasa patria). Old word (patra is the usual form) from pater, descent from a common ancestor as a tribe or race. Some take it here as = patrotes, fatherhood, but that is most unlikely. Paul seems to mean that all the various classes of men on earth and of angels in heaven get the name of family from God the Father of all.
