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.
Reference
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Hebrew: ʼănûw
we
Hebrew: ʼâbaq
to bedust, i.e. grapple
Greek: οὐδαμῶς (oudamōs)
by no means
Hebrew: ʼîyn
is it not?
Greek: ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
Hebrew: ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Greek: κρέας (kréas)
(butcher's) meat
Hebrew: bᵉshar
{flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman}
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: αἷμα (haîma)
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred
Hebrew: Nêtsach
juice of the grape (as blood red)
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
Hebrew: ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Greek: ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
Hebrew: ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Greek: ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
Hebrew: ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: σκότος (skótos)
shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: ʼôphel
dusk
Hebrew: gêh
this
Hebrew: chedel
rest, i.e. the state of the dead
Greek: ἔμπροσθεν (émprosthen)
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
Hebrew: ʼêth
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.
Greek: πνευματικός (pneumatikós)
non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious
Hebrew: gâbâhh
lofty (literally or figuratively)
Blood
1 Corinthians 15:50
Darkness
Colossians 1:13
Acts 26:18
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 4:4
Colossians 2:15
Romans 8:38
Ephesians 1:21
Ephesians 3:10
Spirit
Ephesians 2:2
Ephesians 1:3
Verse Explanation
Paul explains that Christians are not ultimately fighting against ordinary human enemies but against spiritual powers, authorities, and forces of darkness, emphasizing the spiritual dimension behind the believer's struggle.
History
1st century AD: Jewish and Christian thought commonly included concepts of spiritual beings and supernatural opposition, while Ephesus was also known for diverse religious and magical practices.