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.
What does Ephesians 6:12 mean?
Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Ephesians 6:10-13 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle - Greek, "The wrestling to us;" or, "There is not to us a wrestling with flesh and blood." There is undoubtedly here an allusion to the ancient games of Greece, a part of the exercises in which consisted in wrestling; see the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 . The Greek word used here - παλη pale - denotes a "wrestling;" and then a struggle, fight, combat. Here it refers to the struggle or combat which the Christian has to mainrain - the Christian warfare. Not against flesh and blood - Not with people; see the notes on Galatians 1:16 .
Key words
- the prince of darkness
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the prince of darkness.
- principalities
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principalities. Powers - Those who had power, or to whom the name of "powers" was given.
Context in Ephesians 6
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Ephesians 6 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as household life and spiritual warfare. Ephesians presents the church as Christ’s body and temple, chosen in grace, united across dividing walls, and called to mature holy life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of union with Christ, church, and grace in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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