Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

a. NLT: For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

b. NIV: For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

c. YLT: Because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places;

d. Amplified Bible Classic:  For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

e. Worrell Translation: Because to us the struggle id not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

f. Wuest Translation: because our wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against spirit forces of perniciousness in the heavenly places.

1. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”

a. For [Strong: 3754 hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. we [Strong: 2254 hemin hay-meen' dative case plural of 1473; to (or for, with, by) us:--our, (for) us, we.]

c. wrestle [3823  pale pal'-ay from pallo (to vibrate; another form for 906); wrestling:--+ wrestle.] [Vine: "a wrestling" (akin to pallo, "to sway, vibrate"), is used figuratively in Ephesians 6:12, of the spiritual conflict engaged in by believers, RV, "(our) wrestling," AV, "(we) wrestle."]

d. not [Strong: 3756  ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

e. against [Strong: 2076 esti es-tee' third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

f. against [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

g. flesh [Strong: 4561 sarx sarx probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

h. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

i. blood [Strong: 129 haima hah'-ee-mah of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.]

1). Under the Old Covenant the enemy was spiritual and physical and Israel fought wars against physical armies of nations. God took care of the spiritual and as a result of Israel’s obedience God empowered them to overcome the physical enemies who were empowered by the demonic spiritual forces. Under the New Covenant are battle is not against a physical foe, but a spiritual devil who is already defeated. We must take this in context. Paul already highlighted the victory Jesus won for us, that all these beings are already under our feet positionally, (See Ephesians 1:15-23.) What we as Christians need to do is from a position of victory believe God for the enforcement of what Jesus accomplished.

2. “…but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world…”

a. but [Strong: 235 alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. against [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

c. principalities [Strong: 746 arche ar-khay' from 756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.] [Outline of Biblical; Usage: beginning, origin, the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader, that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause, the extremity of a thing, of the corners of a sail, the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, of angels and demons.]

1). Dake: chief rulers or beings of the highest rank and order in satan’s kingdom.

d. against [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

e. powers [Strong: 1849 exousia ex-oo-see'-ah from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.] [Outline of Biblical Usage: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, leave or permission, physical and mental power, the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises, the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege), the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed), universally,  authority over mankind, specifically, the power of judicial decisions, of authority to manage domestic affairs, metonymically, a thing subject to authority or rule, jurisdiction, one who possesses authority,  a ruler, a human magistrate, ,  a sign of the husband's authority over his wife, the veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself,  the sign of regal authority, a crown, [in the context of this verse the meaning is one of] the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates.]

1). Dake: Authorities, those who derive their power from and execute the will of the chief rulers.

f. against [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

g. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

h. rulers [Strong: 2888 kosmokrator kos-mok-fat'-ore from 2889 and 2902; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan:--ruler.] [Zodhiates: in the plural in Ephesians 6:12, referring to satan and his angels.] [Thayer: lord of the world, prince of this age, the devil and his demons.]

1). Literally it means “world ruler”.

i. of the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

j. darkness [Strong: 4655 skotos skot'-os from the base of 4639; shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively):--darkness.]

k. of this [Strong: 5127 toutou too'-too genitive case singular masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) this (person or thing):--here(-by), him, it, + such manner of, that, thence(-forth), thereabout, this, thus.]

l. world [Strong: 165 aion ahee-ohn' from the same as 104; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end).]

1). Dake: There are four kinds of spirit rebels, principalities, authorities, world rulers and wicked spirits in the heavenlies.

2). In the previous verse the Apostle mentioned the “wiles” of the devil. The very definition gives us the fact that the enemy does not operate in a hap hazard way. He operates very methodically. In the rest of this verse Paul gives us the order of angelic and demonic ranks in his kingdom.  

3. “…against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

a. against [Strong: 4314 pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

b. spiritual [Strong: 4152 pneumatikos pnyoo-mat-ik-os' from 4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual.] [Thayer: relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as  part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ, that which possesses the nature of the rational soul, belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God, belonging to the Divine Spirit,  of God the Holy Spirit,  one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God,  pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing.]

c. wickedness [Strong: 4189 poneria pon-ay-ree'-ah from 4190; depravity, i.e. (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins:--iniquity, wickedness.] [Thayer: depravity, iniquity, wickedness, malice,

evil purposes and desires.]

d. in [Strong: 1722 en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

e. high [places] [Strong:2032 epouranios ep-oo-ran'-ee-os from 1909 and 3772; above the sky:--celestial, (in) heaven(-ly), high.]

1). Literally it means “wicked spirits in the heavenlies”.

2). Colossians adds two more that are not in this list.

a). Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

b). It is unknown whether these are additions to the list or are two of the previously mentioned but under a different name.

3). Kenneth E. Hagin in his writings lists them differently than Dake, going from top to bottom. He writes, Wicked spirits or spiritual wickedness in high places: This highest class exists in the heavenlies, not on the earth. Hagin wirtes that an example of wicked spirits in the heavenlies is mentioned in the book of Daniel.

b). Daniel 10:12, 13 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

4). Rulers of the darkness of this world: The highest class of demons believers have to deal with on earth.

5). Powers: The next class or category. They are dominated by and receive their instruction from the rulers of the darkness of this world.

6). Principalities: The lowest class, they are ruled over and dominated by the other classes and do very little thinking on their own.