The Power of the Air

[marks]

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

I've long read this passage this way: The prince who is over the power of the air, this prince is the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

But I've recently come to realize that's not what the verse is saying.

The spirit that now works in the children of disobedience is the "power of the air", which has a prince.

This is from Vincent:

The spirit
See on 1Co_2:12. The term designates the power over which Satan rules, on the side of its operation in men's hearts.

1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

"Power", here, is from exousia, for Authority.

Slightly lengthier, from Jamieson/Fausset/Brown:

“The power” is here used collectively for the “powers of the air”; in apposition with which “powers” stand the “spirits,” comprehended in the singular, “the spirit,” taken also collectively: the aggregate of the “seducing spirits” (1Ti_4:1) which “work now (still; not merely, as in your case, ‘in time past’) in the sons of disobedience” (a Hebraism: men who are not merely by accident disobedient, but who are essentially sons of disobedience itself: compare Mat_3:7), and of which Satan is here declared to be “the prince.” The Greek does not allow “the spirit” to refer to Satan, “the prince” himself, but to “the powers of the air” of which he is prince. The powers of the air are the embodiment of that evil “spirit” which is the ruling principle of unbelievers, especially the heathen (Act_26:18), as opposed to the spirit of the children of God (Luk_4:33). The potency of that “spirit” is shown in the “disobedience” of the former. Compare Deu_32:20, “children in whom is no faith” (Isa_30:9; Isa_57:4). They disobey the Gospel both in faith and practice (2Th_1:8; 2Co_2:12).

What is this "power of the air"?

Any thoughts?

Much love!

 

[Mantis]

WiFi, AM/FM radio, satellites, Wireless information delivery

 

[lforrest]

It refers to baalzebub, Lord of the fliers.

 

[Mantis]

It refers to baalzebub, Lord of the fliers.

Well that is who wields the power, but what is the power?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

I've long read this passage this way: The prince who is over the power of the air, this prince is the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

But I've recently come to realize that's not what the verse is saying.

The spirit that now works in the children of disobedience is the "power of the air", which has a prince.

This is from Vincent:

1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

"Power", here, is from exousia, for Authority.

Slightly lengthier, from Jamieson/Fausset/Brown:

What is this "power of the air"?

Any thoughts?

Much love!

It's actually a tough word to translate into English accurately, but Liddell-Scott uses the word "magistracy," and that's getting about as close as I can find. The word means "the body of magistrates," making the phrase "the ruler of the body of magistrates in the air," i.e. in second heaven.

A more natural way to say it in modern English would be "the ruler of the government of second heaven," but that wouldn't conform strictly to the text.

 

[lforrest]

Well that is who wields the power, but what is the power?

Spirits are themselves a power with a persona. In people this power is manifested as ideas. Satan's Idea has its roots in elevating himself above God.

 

[marks]

It refers to baalzebub, Lord of the fliers.

See, that's how I always thought too! But what I've discovered is that the person, baalzebub, some would also say Satan, is the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience.

But I've learned that the spirit that is working in the children of disobedience is not the prince, but it's "the power of the air". Or as @Hidden In Him calls it, "the government of the second heaven". Interesting word choice!

Well that is who wields the power, but what is the power?

That's the question!

:)

Much love!

 

[DPMartin]

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

I've long read this passage this way: The prince who is over the power of the air, this prince is the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

But I've recently come to realize that's not what the verse is saying.

The spirit that now works in the children of disobedience is the "power of the air", which has a prince.

This is from Vincent:



1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

"Power", here, is from exousia, for Authority.

Slightly lengthier, from Jamieson/Fausset/Brown:



What is this "power of the air"?

Any thoughts?

Much love!

the next verse is your clue. conversations. in Paul's days conversations were through the air one voice to another, one speaker to a crowd so on and so forth. in the world who or what dominates conversation. isn't it how to get what you want? or get some one to do what you want?

 

[Prayer Warrior]

It refers to baalzebub, Lord of the fliers.

Lol, I assume this is a joke. Lord of the flieRs?

 

[quietthinker]

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

I've long read this passage this way: The prince who is over the power of the air, this prince is the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.

But I've recently come to realize that's not what the verse is saying.

The spirit that now works in the children of disobedience is the "power of the air", which has a prince.

This is from Vincent:



1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

"Power", here, is from exousia, for Authority.

Slightly lengthier, from Jamieson/Fausset/Brown:



What is this "power of the air"?

Any thoughts?

Much love!

It's gotta be Oxygen!! :) :) ......jokes aside, I'm persuaded Paul is talking of the spirit that pervades human consciousness at large. I also think it is an error to make statements of this sort walk on all fours......doing so has an appearance of wisdom yet it misses the point!

 

[Behold]

What is this "power of the air"?

Any thoughts?

Much love!

Communication, in general, is the power of the Air.

This is why Jesus is the WORD, and preachers PREACH words.
This is why Jesus TAUGHT< Spoke, etc.
"And God SAID"...
"the words that i SPEAK , they are life"...ect.

So, the devil, the god of this world, uses communication to corrupt.

He uses the mouths of his own, and he uses communication devices... the "airwaves".

 

[lforrest]

Lol, I assume this is a joke. Lord of the flieRs?

Actually I was being serious. It 'Lord of the fliers' was translated to 'lord of the flies' in Hebrew as an insult.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Actually I was being serious. It 'Lord of the fliers' was translated to 'lord of the flies' in Hebrew as an insult.

Ah, okay. But what are fliers?

 

[Mantis]

I t

Ah, okay. But what are fliers?

I think it went from “lord of the flies” to “lord of the dung hill” when they added to the name.

 

[marks]

the next verse is your clue. conversations. in Paul's days conversations were through the air one voice to another, one speaker to a crowd so on and so forth. in the world who or what dominates conversation. isn't it how to get what you want? or get some one to do what you want?

This word, conversation, anastrepho, is more about how you live, which would include your conversations of course. Some translate this conduct, manner of living, like that.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Ephesians 6:12
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.



Our wrestling is towards the arxas - archon, chiefs; towards the exousias - authorities; toward the kosmokratoras tou skotous tou aionos toutou, which is to say, toward the world-rulers of the darkness of this age.

This age has a darkness to it, and that darkness is ruled by those with whom we wrestle.

Much love!

 

[Hidden In Him]

Ah, okay. But what are fliers?

I took it that he was making a reference to demons, since evil spirits are likened to birds in scripture (i.e. flying, or "winged" creatures).

But it did sound a little weird. Brought to mind all sorts of things:

I know there was a famous sled called the "Flexy Flyer." Maybe this is "the Lord of the Flyers" right here:

@lforrest. Just playing around. It's a blessing and a curse.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

I took it that he was making a reference to demons, since evil spirits are likened to birds in scripture (i.e. flying, or "winged" creatures).

But it did sound a little weird. Brought to mind all sorts of things:

I know there was a famous sled called the "Flexy Flyer." Maybe this is "the Lord of the Flyers" right here:

@lforrest. Just playing around. It's a blessing and a curse.

Lol, or flying saucers, maybe?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Lol, or flying saucers, maybe?

Nothing like political humor at a time like this....

 

[DPMartin]

This word, conversation, anastrepho, is more about how you live, which would include your conversations of course. Some translate this conduct, manner of living, like that.

Much love!

its not separate from the subject Paul is speaking of. you're taking verse out of context. it doesn't matter what the conversation maybe about conversation is what it is. communicating ideas and thought through the what was Paul saying the air wasn't it.