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, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Biblical Principalities were lessor States ruled by a prince, governor or satrap. Our equivalent would be our City, County and State entities being ruled by Local Officials, Mayors and Governers.
Biblical Powers were greater, more fully developed State governments ruled by Kings and Emporers. Our equivalent is our three branches of the Federal government: the Executive branch, (President and about 5,000,000 workers); the Legislative branch (Senate and House of Representatives); and the Judicial branch (Supreme Court and lower Courts).
Jack Wellman1 says:
Satan is the natural enemy of the Christian and he doesn’t have to do much with the world as they are already held in his sway without even knowing it. All the unsaved world is doing is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. For the lost or unsaved, Satan is “the god of this world [that] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2nd Cor 4:4) so they don’t even see that there is a huge problem coming (Rev 20:12-15).
The unsaved are already doing the bidding of Satan. We see this today in the unholy activites of the Socialist Democrats, the wealth building within Congress as Lobbyests bribe and pay off our elected representatives, and we see it in the chaos, robbery and murder all to prevailent within our midst. We must fight against these Principalities and Powers that control us, no matter if they rule over us from government, from a church entity, through gangs, or from a corporation that employs us.
David H. Sorenson2, in his Understanding The Bible Commentary, says:
With strength for the battle comes need for the spiritual armor which only God can provide. The word translated as whole armour (pa??p??a panoplia—or panoply) has the literal sense of ‘all the armor.’ Clearly implied is the thought of putting on all the armor of God, not just a portion thereof. A soldier is protected by his armor only to the extent he has it all on. To go minus a helmet, for example, or a breastplate, or some other vital protection, only invites the attack of the enemy against the vulnerable area.
The purpose in seeking God’s strength and putting on all His armor is that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The word translated as wiles (µe??de?a methodeia) has the sense of ‘trickery’ or ‘deviousness.’ It should be apparent that the English word methods derives therefrom. The composite thought is of the deviousness methods of the devil. He is clever, devious, and slick.
6:12 The Apostle continues to note the spiritual struggle every believer faces. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood. The battle every Christian faces is not physical but spiritual. The following text makes clear who the enemy is. We rather find a struggle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. These four descriptives, while referring collectively to satanic power, are of note individually. Implied is the vast, and highly organized satanic empire which pervades this world.
The word translated as principalities (a??? arche) can among other things refer to spiritual creatures such as angels or demons. The latter is clearly in view. It is germane to the thought at hand that the devil is referred to as “the prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. Implied is a hierarchical order and command structure in Satan’s empire. In similar fashion, angels are referred to as princes in Daniel 10:13. Moreover, in that same passage, reference is made to “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” which clearly is a satanic spirit (i.e., demon).
Then also in Satan’s realm are powers. The word so translated (e???s?a exousia) has the sense of ‘authority.’ Implied is another level in Satan’s empire.
Then, Paul mentions “the rulers of the darkness of this world.” The word translated as rulers (??sµ???at?? kosmokrator) has the literal sense of ‘world rulers.’ The word rendered as world (a??? aion), though it can have the sense of ‘world,’ has as a more literal sense of an ‘age.’ Hence, the greater thought is of ‘the world rulers of the darkness of this age.’ Though there no doubt is a connection to wicked, human rulers, the greater context is satanic. Clearly implied is the satanic influence and working of high-level demonic spirits upon the darkness of human leaders and the affairs of the age. Insight is thus given into the wickedness in government which seem to prevail. Moreover, a clear reason to pray for our leaders is evident what withal the satanic influences assigned thereto. Further implied is the worldwide evil empire, intent on imposing spiritual darkness in every way it can.
Finally, the Apostle refers to “spiritual wickedness in high places.” The word translated as high places (ep???a???? epiouranios) literally means ‘heaven’ or ‘heavenly.’ The Scripture refers to three degrees of heaven though which is not noted here. It may refer to the domain of the devil and his forces in the atmospheric heavens. Indeed, he is referred to as “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). It may conceivably even refer to the apparent access the devil has to the third heaven (God’s abode) as “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10). The former sense however likely is what is in view.
All in all, a complex description of Satan’s vast spiritual empire is in view. It clearly is highly organized. It is hierarchical. There is little question as to the impact it has on human society and government.
6:13 In view of all of this, the Apostle therefore enjoins for the second time, 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. The word translated as withstand (a???st?µ? anthistemi) has the more basic sense to ‘resist.’ But the greater goal is to stand against the attack of the devil. The day in which he lived is described as evil. It certainly remains so to this day.
The battle is ramping up and up and up. It rages around us. We must each do our part to overthrow the "wickedness in high places," and the wickedness we find in our own hearts. It is such a shame that filth fills the public media and much of the internet. The sickness within our society is highlighted by the sexual perversion that is exposed repeatedly and then covered up repeatedly, as with the pedophilia and Jeffrey Epstein affairs that keep getting connected to government every few years. Prayer and proper preparation for battle is essential to curb and eliminate the many evils operating in our "high places."
Bibliography:
1. Jack Wellman, noted online on 23 Dec 2019, https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2015/08/26/what-are-principalities-and-powers-that-are-talked-about-in-the-bible/
2. David H. Sorenson, noted online on 23 Dec 2019, https://www.swordsearcher.com/third-party/understanding-the-bible-commentary.html
