(Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (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. (13) Wherefore 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. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Wuest writes:
(6:12) In the word “wrestle,” (palē (παλη)), Paul uses a Greek athletic term. Thayer defines as follows: “a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to press and hold down his prostrate antagonist, namely, hold him down with his hand upon his neck.” When we consider that the loser in a Greek wrestling contest had his eyes gouged out with resulting blindness for the rest of his days, we can form some conception of the Ephesian Greek’s reaction to Paul’s illustration. The Christian’s wrestling against the powers of darkness is no less desperate and fateful. The literal Greek is, “Our wrestling is not against blood and flesh.” The Greek reverses the order. The principalities and powers, are the archē (ἀρχη), “first ones, preeminent ones, leaders,” and the exousia (ἐξουσια), “authorities,” the demons of Satan in the lower atmosphere who constitute his kingdom in the air.
The rulers of the darkness of this world, the kosmokratōr (κοσμοκρατωρ), “the world-rulers of this darkness,” are Satan and his demons. They are also called “the spirit forces of perniciousness in the heavenly places.” The heavenly places here are not those highest ones inhabited by the holy angels, but the lower heavens, the lower atmosphere surrounding this earth. One might be troubled at the change of figure from that of a Roman soldier to that of a Greek wrestler, arguing that a soldier does not engage in a wrestling contest clad in full armor. But the difficulty disappears when one sees that the figure of a wrestling match speaks of a contest at close quarters, and an individual contest, between the Christian and his demon enemies.
Paul lived in a Roman world of Greek culture and it is no surprise that he would use expressions and examples that the people to whom he wrote could relate to. Remember that our desire in properly interpreting a text is to determine as far as possible to author's original intent, as well as the genre, background, context, and grammar. We must not sacrifice one for the other, but carefully consider all to arrive at a clear understanding of the text.
If only we Christians truly understood this whole truth of our warfare we would have greater communion among ourselves and greater conquering of these Satanic powers. Do you honestly think that schism, divisions, factions, and strife among true believers comes from God? OF COURSE NOT! We are told to endeavor to "keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." Our battle is higher than our pettiness.
"We have asked our pastor to resign," my friend told me. "Why" I asked. "He has lost his anointing," I was told. "Oh really, and how would you identify the anointing? Surely Jonathan Edwards was anointed when he preached 'Sinners in the hands of an angry God.' Wouldn't you agree?" Long story short, within a few weeks the pastor discovered he had terminal cancer and died. OUR BATTLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD!
One cannot be a spiritual pacifist and follow Jesus, for we are called to "fight the good fight of faith." It is just that so many of us who say we are Christians miss the point completely and allow personality, diversity of gifts, opinions of leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), or some minor doctrine which is open to interpretation or misinterpretation and misunderstanding, to divide the body. Hence, we are fighting against flesh and blood and not agains the principalities and powers and rulers of this world's darkness.
One can hold to the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and not hold to the doctrine of "health and wealth" preachers. One can hold to the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and not hold to the doctrine of "predestination and election" as taught by TULIP Calvinists. One can hold to the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and not hold to the doctrine of "eternal security" as taught by some Baptists who think you can be saved and live like hell. One can hold to the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and not hold to "tongues and healings" as taught by some TV charlatans. "If any man has not the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS!"
I'm just saying that we fight each other rather than the real enemy! Harmony Baptist Church splits because the pastor isn't like by some of the people, so a group leaves, goes down the street and starts New Harmony Baptist Church. It is the craziest thing I ever heard of, but it is not so uncommon, because believers are NOT taught to identify the real enemy and how to deal with him. That is why a clear understanding of this text is so important.
BLESSINGS!
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