Ephesians 6

Ephesians · Chapter 6

Ephesians 6:12

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For 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.13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
12For 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.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.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.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Ephesians 6:10-20The whole armour of God

About Ephesians 6Paul tells children to "obey your parents in the Lord," fathers to "provoke not your children to wrath," servants to obey their masters "as unto Christ," and masters to do the same, "knowing that your Master also is in heaven." "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord," he writes: "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," for "we wrestle not against flesh and blood," and he names truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." He asks for prayer that he may speak boldly as "an ambassador in bonds" and sends Tychicus to tell them his news. Ephesians 6:1Ephesians 6:4Ephesians 6:5Ephesians 6:9Ephesians 6:10Ephesians 6:11Ephesians 6:12Ephesians 6:14Ephesians 6:15Ephesians 6:16Ephesians 6:17Ephesians 6:18Ephesians 6:19Ephesians 6:20Ephesians 6:21

Why this verse matters here"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." Ephesians 6:12

Who, where and when in this chapter

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
becauseὅτιhotiG3754H
that/since: that

ὅτι (hoti) ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; 1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. 2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; …

notοὐκoukG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

isἔστινestinG1510
you are

εἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. …

to usἡμῖνhēminG3165
me

μέ (me) 1. apostrophe for με. 2. rarely for μοι, (Homer) (ML)

wrestlingπάληpalēG3823
struggle

πάλη (palē) πάλη, -ης, ἡ (πάλλω, to sway) wrestling, hence, generally, fight, contest: figuratively, of the spiritual combat of Christians, Eph.6:12.† (AS)

againstπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

bloodαἷμαhaimaG0129G
blood

αἷμα (ahima) αἷμα, ατος, τό, [in LXX for דָּם ;] blood. 1. In the ordinary sense: Mrk.5:25, Luk.8:43,44 22:44, Jhn.19:34, Act.15:20,29 21:25, Rev.8:7,8 11:6 16:3,4,6 19:13. 2. In special senses: (a) of generation, origin, kinship (cl.): Jhn.1:13 (see MM, VGT, see word); (b) as in OT (AR on Eph, l.with), in the phrase σάρξ καὶ αἷ. (αἷ. κ. σ.), to indicate human nature as opposite to God and created spirits: Mat.16:17, 1Co.15:50, Gal.1:16, Eph.6:12, Heb.2:14; (with) of things in colour resembling blood: Act.2:19,20, Rev.6:12 14:18-20. …

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

fleshσάρκαsarkaG4561
flesh

σάρξ (sarx) σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for בָּשָׂר ;] flesh; 1. as in cl. generally, (a) prop., of the soft substance of the animal body: 1Co.15:39, 2Co.12:7, Gal.6:13, al.; σ. καὶ αἷμα, 1Co.5:50; σ. καὶ ὀστέα, Luk.24:39; pl., of the flesh of many or parts of the flesh of one (cl.), Rev.17:16 19:18; φαγεῖν, Re, ll. with (cf. κατεσθίειν, 4Ki.9:36, al., and βιβρώσκειν, frequently in l.); metaphorically, Jas.5:3; mystically, φ. (τρώγειν) τὴν σ. τοῦ υἱοῦ τ. ἀνθρώπου, Jhn.6:52-56; …

butἀλλὰallaG0235
but

ἀλλά (alla) ἀλλά (ἀλλ᾽ usually bef. α and υ, often bef. ε and η, rarely bef. ο and ω, never bef. ι; Tdf., Pr., 93 f.; WH, App., 146), adversative particle, stronger than δέ; prop. neuter pl. of ἄλλος, used adverbially, with changed accent; hence prop. otherwise, on the other hand (cf. Rom.3:31); …

againstπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

rulers,ἀρχάς,archasG0746
beginning

ἀρχή (archē) ἀρχή, -ῆς, ἡ [in LXX for קֶדֶם, רֹאשׁ, רֹאשׁ, etc. ;] 1. beginning, origin; (a) absol., of the beginning of all things: of God as the Eternal, the First Cause, Rev.21:6 (cf. 18); similarly, of Christ, Rev.22:13; of Christ as the uncreated principle, the active cause of creation, Rev.3:14; in his relation to the Church, Col.1:18; ἐν ἀ., Jhn.1:1-2; ἀπ᾽ ἀ. (and ἀπ᾽ ἀ. κτισεως), Mat.19:4, 8 24:21, Mrk.10:6 13:19, Jhn.8:44, 2Th.2:13, 2Pe.3:4, 1Jn.1:1 Jn 2:13-14 Jn 2:24; κατ ἀρχἀς, Heb.1:10; …

againstπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

authorities,ἐξουσίας,exousiasG1849
authority

ἐξουσία (exousia) ἐξουσία, -ας, ἡ (ἔξεστι), [in LXX: 4Ki.20:13, Psa.113 (114):2 135 (136)8, 9, Isa.39:2, Jer.28 (51):28 (מֶמְשָׁלָה), frequently in Da for Aram. שָׁלְטָן, etc., Wis.10:14, Sir.9:13, al. ;] 1. prop., liberty or power to act, freedom to exercise the inward force or faculty expressed by δύναμις (which see): 1Co.9:12; ἐ. ἔχειν, 2Th.3:9; id. before inf., Jhn.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5; with genitive obj., Rom.9:21; before ἐπί, with accusative, Rev.22:14; περί, 1Co.7:37. …

againstπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

cosmic powersκοσμοκράτοραςkosmokratorasG2888
world power

κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratōr) κοσμοκράτωρ, -ορος, ὁ (κόσμος, κρατέω), 1. in Orphic hymns, al. (see AR, Eph., l.with), a ruler of the whole world (and so in Rabbinic writings: קוֺזמוֺקְרָטוֺר). 2. a ruler of this world (in contrast to παντο κράτωρ): οἱ κ. τ. σκότους τούτου, the rulers of this dark world, Eph.6:12.† (AS)

darknessσκότουςskotousG4655
darkness

σκότος (skotos) σκότος, -ου, ὁ the more usual cl. form (cf.σ., τό), darkness: Heb.12:18, Rec.† (AS)

ageαἰῶνοςaiōnosG0165G
an age: age

αἰών (aiōn) αἰών, -ῶνος, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for עַד ,עוֹלָם ;] 1. in cl., like Lat. aevum (LS, MM, VGT, see word), a space of time, as, a lifetime, generation, period of history, an indefinitely long period; in NT of an indefinitely long period, an age, eternity, usually with prep. (MM, VGT); (a) of the past: ἀπ᾽ αἰ. (cf. Heb. מֵעוֹלָם), Luk.1:70; …

this,τούτου,toutouG3778
this/he/she/it

οὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; …

againstπρὸςprosG4314
to/with

πρός (pros) πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. 1. Of place, …

spiritual [forces]πνευματικὰpneumatikaG4152
spiritual

πνευματικός (pneumatikos) πνευματικός, -ή, -όν (πνεῦμα), 1. of or caused by the wind, air or breath (Arist., al.). 2. spiritual (opposite to σωματικός, Plut.); (a) of created beings : τὰ π. (RV, the spiritual hosts), Eph.6:12; of that which is related to the human spirit, opposite to ψυχικός, 1Co.15:44 15:46; (b) of that which belongs to or is actuated by the Divine Spirit; α of persons : 1Co.2:15 3:1 14:37, Gal.6:1; οἶκος π., figuratively, 1Pe.2:5; β of things : Rom.1:11 7:14, 1Co.2:13 10:3-4 12:1 14:1, Eph.1:3 5:19, Col.1:9 3:16, 1Pe.2:5; opposite to τ. σαρκικά, Rom.15:27, 1Co.9:11.† …

of evilπονηρίαςponēriasG4189
evil

πονηρία (ponēria) πονηρία, -ας, ἡ (πονηρός), [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] iniquity, wickedness: Mat.22:18, Luk.11:39, Rom.1:29, Eph.6:12; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; WM, 220; Swete, Mk., 153), Mrk.7:22, Act.3:26; κακία καὶ π., 1Co.5:8.† SYN.: see: κακία. (AS)

inἐνenG1722
in/on/among

ἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af …

heavenly realms.ἐπουρανίοις.epouranioisG2032
heavenly

ἐπουράνιος (epouranios) ἐπουράνιος, -ον (οὐρανός), [in LXX: Psa.68:14 (שַׁדַּי), DA TH Dan.4:23 A (שָׁמַיִם) 2Ma.3:39, 3Ma.6:28 3Mac 7:6, 4Ma.4:11 AR, 4Ma.11:3 א* ;] in or of heaven, heavenly (in Hom., of the Gods): οἱ ἐ., opposite to ἐπίγειοι and καταχθόνιοι, Php.2:10; to χοϊκός, 1Co.15:48-49; σώματα (see Lft., Col., 376), 1Co.15:40; βασιλεία, 2Ti.4:18; παπρίς, Heb.11:16; Ἱερουσαλήμ, Heb.12:22; κλῆσις (cf. Lft. on Php.3:14), Heb.3:1; τὰ ἐ., Heb.8:5 9:23; opposite to ἐπίγειος, Jhn.3:12; id., of the heavenly regions, Eph.1:3, 20 2:6 3:10 6:12; ἡ δωρεὰ ἡ ἐ., Heb.6:4 (Cremer, 468).† (AS)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.