Ephesians 6:12

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

ὅτι For G3754
ὅτι For
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 1 of 33
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 2 of 33
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἔστιν against G2076
ἔστιν against
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 3 of 33
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ἡμῖν we G2254
ἡμῖν we
Strong's: G2254
Word #: 4 of 33
to (or for, with, by) us
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάλη wrestle G3823
πάλη wrestle
Strong's: G3823
Word #: 6 of 33
wrestling
πρὸς against G4314
πρὸς against
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 7 of 33
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,
αἷμα blood G129
αἷμα blood
Strong's: G129
Word #: 8 of 33
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σάρκα flesh G4561
σάρκα flesh
Strong's: G4561
Word #: 10 of 33
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
ἀλλὰ but G235
ἀλλὰ but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 11 of 33
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
πρὸς against G4314
πρὸς against
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 12 of 33
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,
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχάς principalities G746
ἀρχάς principalities
Strong's: G746
Word #: 14 of 33
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
πρὸς against G4314
πρὸς against
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 15 of 33
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,
τὰς G3588
τὰς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίας powers G1849
ἐξουσίας powers
Strong's: G1849
Word #: 17 of 33
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
πρὸς against G4314
πρὸς against
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 18 of 33
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,
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοσμοκράτορας the rulers G2888
κοσμοκράτορας the rulers
Strong's: G2888
Word #: 20 of 33
a world-ruler, an epithet of satan
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκότους of the darkness G4655
σκότους of the darkness
Strong's: G4655
Word #: 22 of 33
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 23 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνος world G165
αἰῶνος world
Strong's: G165
Word #: 24 of 33
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
τούτου of this G5127
τούτου of this
Strong's: G5127
Word #: 25 of 33
of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)
πρὸς against G4314
πρὸς against
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 26 of 33
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,
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 27 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνευματικὰ spiritual G4152
πνευματικὰ spiritual
Strong's: G4152
Word #: 28 of 33
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 29 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρίας wickedness G4189
πονηρίας wickedness
Strong's: G4189
Word #: 30 of 33
depravity, i.e., (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 31 of 33
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τοῖς G3588
τοῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 32 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπουρανίοις high G2032
ἐπουρανίοις high
Strong's: G2032
Word #: 33 of 33
above the sky

Cross References

Colossians 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Ephesians 2:2Wherein 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:Colossians 2:15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Romans 8:38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,Ephesians 1:21Far 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 3:10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,Ephesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Analysis & Commentary

[Verse 6:12 text would be quoted here] This verse in Ephesians chapter 6 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined.

The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.

Historical Context

Written during Paul's Roman imprisonment (60-62 CE), this verse in chapter 6 reflects the circular letter's purpose to multiple Asian churches. Ephesus was a major center of pagan worship (Artemis cult) and early Christianity, making Paul's teachings on spiritual warfare and Christian unity particularly relevant.

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