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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• 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 his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

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“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
• 1 Corinthians 9:25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
• 2 Timothy 2:5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
• Matthew 16:17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 15:50I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
• Galatians 1:16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
• Ephesians 1:21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
• Ephesians 3:10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
• Romans 8:38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
• Colossians 2:15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
• 1 Peter 3:22who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
• Ephesians 2:2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
• Job 2:2And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
• Luke 22:53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
• John 12:31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven 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