Ephesians 6:12
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.
KJV
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.
Greek NT
quoniam non est nobis colluctatio adversus carnem et sanguinem, sed adversus principes, et potestates, adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum, contra spiritualia nequitiæ, in cælestibus.
Vulgate
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.
ASV
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.
Douay-Rheims
Open in reader with connections →
In the original Greek
20 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
Textual variants
1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.
- σκότους — SBLGNT
- σκότους — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
- + τοῦ αἰῶνος — Robinson-Pierpont
Themes
Historic Christian voices
17 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
Unity of the faith of the Church throughout the whole world. 1. The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: [She believes] in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God, wh…
2. And why did they at all worship one who was in swaddling clothes? For if He had been a grown man, one might say, that in expectation of the succor they should receive from Him, they cast themselves into a danger which they foresaw; a thing however to the utmost degree unreasonable, that the Persian, the barbarian, and one that had nothing in common with the nation of the Jew…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210232.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
2. Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? Do you see how excellently he reasons, and proves the resurrection from the fact of Christ's being raised, having first established the former in many ways? For both the prophets spoke of it, says he, and the Lord Himself showed it by His appeari…
1. Paul wishing to show the great kindness of God towards man, and the Love which He had for the human race, after saying: Forasmuch then as the children were partakers of blood and flesh, He also Himself likewise took part of the same Hebrews 2:14— follows up the subject in this passage. For do not regard lightly what is spoken, nor think this merely a slight [matter], His tak…
Preface of Rufinus. Reader, remember me in your prayers, that we too may deserve to be made emulators of the spirit. The two former books on The Principles I translated not only at your instance, but even under pressure from you during the days of Lent; but as you, my devout brother Macarius, were not only living near me during that time, but had more leisure at your command th…
1. Jesus Comes to Capernaum. Statements of the Four Evangelists Regarding This. After this John 2:12-25 He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples; and there they abode not many days. And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and He found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers…
1. The Parable of the Tares: the House of Jesus. Then He left the multitudes and went into His house, and His disciples came unto Him saying, Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field. Matthew 13:36 When Jesus then is with the multitudes, He is not in His house, for the multitudes are outside of the house, and it is an act which springs from His love of men to leave t…
1. Concerning Those Who Asked Him to Show Them a Sign from Heaven. And the Sadducees and Pharisees came, and tempting Him kept asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. Matthew 16:1 The Sadducees and Pharisees who disagreed with each other in regard to the most essential truths, — for the Pharisees champion the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, hoping that there will …
1. Relation of the Baptist to Elijah. The Theory of Transmigration Considered. The disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? Matthew 17:10 The disciples indeed who went up with Jesus remembered the traditions of the scribes concerning Elijah, that before the advent of Christ, Elijah would come and prepare for Him the souls of those who w…
21. 'And let us strive that wrath rule us not nor lust overcome us, for it is written, The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. And lust, when it has conceived, bears sin, and the sin when it is full grown brings forth death. Thus living, let us keep guard carefully, and as it is written, keep our hearts with all watchfulness Proverbs 4:23 . For we have terrible and…
51. So he was alone in the inner mountain, spending his time in prayer and discipline. And the brethren who served him asked that they might come every month and bring him olives, pulse and oil, for by now he was an old man. There then he passed his life, and endured such great wrestlings, 'Not against flesh and blood Ephesians 6:12,' as it is written, but against opposing demo…
She also said, "We must arm ourselves in every way against the demons. For they attack us from outside, and they also stir us up from within; and the soul is then like a ship when great waves break over it, and at the same time it sinks because the hold is too full."
Q. What does the sixth request mean? A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one means: By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies — the devil, the world, and our own flesh — never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to …
Cross-references
- 1Cor 9:25 — 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.
- 1Cor 9:25 — 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.
- 1Cor 10:13 — There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to esca
- 1Cor 15:50 — Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- 1John 4:4 — Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
- 1Pet 3:22 — Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
- 1Tim 1:18 — This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
- 2Cor 4:4 — In 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.
- 2Cor 4:4 — In 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.
- 2Sam 3:1 — Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
- 2Tim 2:5 — And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
- Acts 26:18 — To 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 t
- Col 1:13 — Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- Col 1:13 — Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
- Col 1:16 — For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by hi
- Col 2:15 — And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
- Col 2:15 — And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
- Dan 10:13 — But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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:
- Eph 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,
- Eph 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,
- Eph 5:8 — For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
- Gal 1:4 — Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
- Gal 1:16 — To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Gal 1:16 — To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
- Gen 32:24 — And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
- Heb 12:1 — Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
- Heb 12:4 — Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
- 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.
- John 12:31 — Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
- John 12:31 — Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
- John 14:30 — Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
- John 14:30 — Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
- John 16:11 — Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
- Jude 1:6 — And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.