Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Berean Standard Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Berean Literal Bible because to us the wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. King James Bible 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. New King James Version For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. New American Standard Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. NASB 1995 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. NASB 1977 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Legacy Standard Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Amplified Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Christian Standard Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. Holman Christian Standard Bible For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. American Standard Version For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Contemporary English Version We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. English Revised Version For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. Good News Translation For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. International Standard Version For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. Majority Standard Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NET Bible For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. New Heart English Bible For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world's rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare. World English Bible For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause our wrestling is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual [forces] of evil in the heavenly [places]; Berean Literal Bible because to us the wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Young's Literal Translation 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; Smith's Literal Translation For the wrestling is not to us against blood and flesh, but against beginnings, against powers, against the chiefs of the world of darkness of this life, against spiritual things of wickedness in heavenly things. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Catholic Public Domain Version For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the directors of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. New American Bible For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. New Revised Standard Version For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor your conflict is not only with flesh and blood, but also with the angels, and with powers, with the rulers of this world of darkness, and with the evil spirits under the heavens. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Because your fight has not been with flesh and blood, but with Principalities and The Rulers and The Powers of this dark world and with wicked spirits which are under Heaven. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentfor our conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the rulers of the darkness of this world, with the wicked spirits in the heavenly regions. Godbey New Testament because there is not to us fighting against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the heavenlies. Haweis New Testament For our conflict is not merely against flesh and blood, but against principalities, and against powers, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against wicked spirits in the aerial regions. Mace New Testament for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits. Weymouth New Testament For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare. Worrell New Testament because to us the struggle is 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. Worsley New Testament For our conflict is not with flesh and blood only, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the world and of the darkness of this age, against wicked spirits in heavenly places. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Armor of God…11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.… Cross References 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. Revelation 12:7-9 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. / But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. / And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Daniel 10:12-13 “Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. / However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ... Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. John 12:31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 1 John 4:4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Revelation 20:2-3 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. / And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time. Isaiah 14:12-15 How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations. / You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” ... Ezekiel 28:12-17 “Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. / You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. ... Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ... Job 1:6-12 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” ... Treasury of Scripture 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. wrestle. Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible… 2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. flesh and blood. Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Galatians 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: principalities. Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, against the. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Job 2:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. spiritual wickedness. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Jump to Previous Age Authorities Blood Conflict Control Dark Darkness Fight Flesh Forces Govern Heavenly High Hosts Mere Night Ours Places Powers Present Principalities Realms Rulers Spirits Spiritual Struggle Wickedness World World's Wrestle WrestlingJump to Next Age Authorities Blood Conflict Control Dark Darkness Fight Flesh Forces Govern Heavenly High Hosts Mere Night Ours Places Powers Present Principalities Realms Rulers Spirits Spiritual Struggle Wickedness World World's Wrestle WrestlingEphesians 6 1. The duty of children toward their parents;5. of servants toward their masters. 10. Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also spiritual enemies. 13. The complete armor of a Christian; 18. and how it ought to be used. 21. Tychicus is commended. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood This phrase emphasizes the nature of the Christian battle. The Greek word for "struggle" (πάλη, palē) suggests a wrestling match, indicating a close and personal conflict. "Flesh and blood" refers to human beings, highlighting that our true adversaries are not other people. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding that their mission was not to conquer earthly kingdoms but to engage in spiritual warfare. This perspective encourages believers to view conflicts with others through a spiritual lens, recognizing that the true enemy is not the person in front of them. but against the rulers against the authorities against the powers of this world’s darkness against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms Flesh and blood.--Or rather (as perhaps also in Hebrews 2:14), blood and flesh. So in John 1:13, "Not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh." In Matthew 16:17, 1Corinthians 15:50, we have "flesh and blood." The sense is clearly, as the comparison of all these passages shows, "mere human power." Possibly the word "blood" is here put first to prevent even a moment's confusion with the idea of wrestling against "the flesh" as an evil power within ourselves. In many passages of this Epistle St. Paul had dwelt on the opposition of the Christian to the heathen life, and the duty of rebuking and putting to shame the works of darkness; but here he warns us that the struggle is not a struggle with the "flesh and blood" of wicked men--a struggle which may still admit of some reserve of sympathy--but a truceless war with the spiritual powers of evil themselves. Against principalities, against powers.--See Note on Ephesians 1:21. . . . Verse 12. - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Our conflict is not with men, here denoted by "flesh and blood," which is usually a symbol of weakness, therefore denoting that our opponents are not weak mortals, but powers of a far more formidable order. But against the principalities, against the powers. The same words as in Ephesians 1:21; therefore the definite article is prefixed, as denoting what we are already familiar with: for though all of these, evil as well as good, have been put under Christ the Head, they have not been put under the members, but the evil among them are warring against these members with all the greater ferocity that they cannot assail the Head. Against the world-rulers of this [state of] darkness (comp. Ephesians 2:2). "World-rulers" denotes the extent of the dominion of these invisible foes - the term is applied only to the rulers of the most widely extended tracts; there is no part of the globe to which their influence does not extend, and where their dark rule does not show itself (comp. Luke 4:6). "This darkness" expressively denotes the element and the results of their rule. Observe contrast with Christ's servants, who are children of light, equivalent to order, knowledge, purity, joy, peace, etc.; while the element of the devil and his servants is darkness, equivalent to confusion, ignorance, crime, terror, strife, and all misery. Against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The natural meaning, though questioned by some, is, either that these hosts of wickedness have their residence in heavenly places, or, that these places are the scene of our conflict with them. The latter seems more agreeable to the context, for "in heavenly places" does not denote a geographical locality here any more than in Ephesians 1:3 and Ephesians 2:6. When it is said that "we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places," the allusion is to the spiritual experience of his people; in spirit they are at the gate of heaven, where their hearts are full of heavenly thoughts and feelings; the statement now before us is that, even in such places, amid their most fervent experiences or their most sublime services, they are subject to the attacks of the spirits of wickedness.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. our ἡμῖν (hēmin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. struggle πάλη (palē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3823: Wrestling, a wrestling bout; hence: a struggle, fight, conflict, contest. From pallo; wrestling. is ἔστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. flesh σάρκα (sarka) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. blood, αἷμα (haima) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. rulers, ἀρχάς (archas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 746: From archomai; a commencement, or chief. against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. authorities, ἐξουσίας (exousias) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. powers κοσμοκράτορας (kosmokratoras) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 2888: From kosmos and krateo; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan. of τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. this {world's} τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. darkness, σκότους (skotous) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4655: Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity. [and] against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. spiritual [forces] πνευματικὰ (pneumatika) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 4152: Spiritual. From pneuma; non-carnal, i.e. ethereal, or a spirit, or supernatural, regenerate, religious. of evil πονηρίας (ponērias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 4189: Wickedness, iniquities. From poneros; depravity, i.e., malice; plural plots, sins. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. heavenly realms. ἐπουρανίοις (epouraniois) Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 2032: From epi and ouranos; above the sky. Links Ephesians 6:12 NIVEphesians 6:12 NLT Ephesians 6:12 ESV Ephesians 6:12 NASB Ephesians 6:12 KJV Ephesians 6:12 BibleApps.com Ephesians 6:12 Biblia Paralela Ephesians 6:12 Chinese Bible Ephesians 6:12 French Bible Ephesians 6:12 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh (Ephes. Eph. Ep) |
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