Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruler…”

Ephesians 6:12

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly gouernours, the princes of the darkenesse of this worlde, against spirituall wickednesses, which are in ye hie places.

Darby Translation

because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against principalities, against authorities, against the universal lords of this darkness, against spiritual [power] of wickedness in the heavenlies.

Young's Literal Translation

because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places;

Bible in Basic English

For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.

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Cross references

“wrestle”

1 Corinthians 9:25–27 Hebrews 12:1 Luke 13:24 2 Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 12:4

1 Corinthians 9:25–27 · BSB

Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

Hebrews 12:1 · BSB

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

Luke 13:24 · BSB

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

2 Timothy 2:5 · BSB

Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Hebrews 12:4 · BSB

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

“flesh and blood”

1 Corinthians 15:50 Matthew 16:17 Galatians 1:16

1 Corinthians 15:50 · BSB

Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Matthew 16:17 · BSB

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

Galatians 1:16 · BSB

to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

“principalities”

Colossians 2:15 Ephesians 1:21 Romans 8:38 Ephesians 3:10 1 Peter 3:22

Colossians 2:15 · BSB

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Ephesians 1:21 · BSB

far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Romans 8:38 · BSB

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

Ephesians 3:10 · BSB

His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

1 Peter 3:22 · BSB

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

“against the”

Colossians 1:13 2 Corinthians 4:4 Ephesians 2:2 Acts 26:18 John 14:30 John 12:31

Colossians 1:13 · BSB

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

2 Corinthians 4:4 · BSB

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Ephesians 2:2 · BSB

in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

Acts 26:18 · BSB

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

John 14:30 · BSB

I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me.

John 12:31 · BSB

Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

“spiritual wickedness”

Ephesians 1:3

Ephesians 1:3 · BSB

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

Read Ephesians 6