Who has the authority behind the principalities and powers we wrestle against in Ephesians?
According to the Ephesians passage cited, the principalities and powers we wrestle against operate under the authority of Satan. That authority is Satan, and he works to frustrate believers and keep lost humanity in darkness until God breaks his power.
Les explains that Paul's Ephesians passage says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and those powers have authority. That authority is Satan, who is doing everything he can to frustrate the life of believers and to keep lost humanity in darkness. He has that power until God breaks it. Les ties this to God being the One who opens hearts and the Holy Spirit giving understanding, and to Romans 8, where neither principalities, nor powers, nor any other created thing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
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.
What does the Greek word for "power" mean when Paul speaks of principalities and powers?
The Greek word translated “power” in that phrase means authority, not merely strength. The same term appears in Ephesians and in Acts 26:10, where Paul received authority from the chief priests. Therefore the principalities and powers are spoken of as having authority, and Satan’s power is described as blinding the lost.
Who are believers actually wrestling against according to Ephesians?
According to Ephesians, believers wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers that hold authority. That authority is Satan, who works to frustrate believers' lives and keep lost humanity in darkness until God breaks his power.
More Questions
What do believers wrestle against according to Ephesians 6:12?
Les teaches that when Ephesians 6:12 says believers wrestle, it is God speaking directly to us today, and our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places.