Ephesians 6:12

Ephesians 6:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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 International Version (NIV)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 King James Version (NKJV)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 Living Translation (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.

Context of Ephesians 6:12

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:12 word by word

ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• wrestleπάληpalē · struggleG3823
• notοὐou · noG3756
• ·εἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• againstπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• bloodαἷμαaima · bloodG129
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• principalitiesἀρχήarchē · beginningG746
• powersἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• the rulersκοσμοκράτωρkosmokratōr · world powerG2888
• of the darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
• of thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• worldαἰώνaiōn · an age: ageG165
• spiritualπνευματικόςpneumatikos · spiritualG4152
• wickednessπονηρίαponēria · evilG4189
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• highἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032

Cross-references for Ephesians 6:12

• Luke 13:24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
• 1 Corinthians 9:25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
• 2 Timothy 2:5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
• Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 15:50I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
• Galatians 1:16was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
• Ephesians 1:21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
• Ephesians 3:10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
• Romans 8:38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
• Colossians 2:15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
• 1 Peter 3:22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
• Ephesians 2:2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
• Job 2:2And the Lord said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."
• Luke 22:53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
• John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

Commentaries on Ephesians 6:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood - ̔ ̔ ̔ · Our wrestling or contention is not with men like ourselves: flesh and blood is a Hebraism for men, or human beings. See the note on Galatians 1:16. The word implies the athletic exercises in the Olympic and other national games; and was the place in which the contenders exercised. Here it signifies warfare in general. Against principalities - · Chief rulers; beings of the first rank and order in their…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For 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 - ́ palē- denotes a “wrestling;” and then a struggle, fight, combat. Here it refers to the struggle or combat which the Christian has to mainrain - the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-18Verses 10-18 Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at all grace; and put on the whole armour of God, which he prepares and bestows. The Christian armour is made to be worn; and there is no putting off our armour till we have done our warfare, and finished our course. The combat is not against human enemies, nor against our own corrupt nature only; we…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Believers should not see other people as their enemies. Instead, their opposition comes from spiritual evil in the unseen world. Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21–22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Greek, "For our wrestling ('the wrestling' in which we are engaged) is not against flesh," &c. Flesh and blood foes are Satan's mere tools, the real foe lurking behind them is Satan himself, with whom our conflict is. "Wrestling" implies that it is a hand-to-hand and foot-to-foot struggle for the mastery: to wrestle successfully with Satan, we must wrestle with God in irresistible prayer like Jacob (Ge 32:24-29; Ho 12:4). Translate, "The…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 6:12

• Armor
• Darkness
• Satan
• Soldiers
• Wrestling

In the dictionaries

• Flesh and Blood
• Daemon
• Nurture
• Obey
• Provoke
• War
• Wrestle
• Allegory
• Angel
• Armor; Arms

Commentaries on Ephesians 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings