The Forces of Evil
Ephesians 6:12
Excerpt
Verse 12 provides further reason for being strong and deploying the armor of God and goes on to name other supernatural enemies, using some of the same terminology found in 1:21and 3:10 (see comments there). Unfortunately, throughout its history the Christian church has often tended to view human opponents as the enemy to be fought. Sometimes this has been an exegetical position, concluding that structures of government constitute the enemy. Sometimes it has been de facto, as Christians lash out against those who oppose them. Paul’s negative clarification (not against) should have prevented that error. The enemy is not a visible and relatively weak humanity (the meaning of flesh and blood),* not even powerful human authorities. This enemy is in the heavenly realms and is therefore unseen, possessing a tactical advantage over those whose vision is earthbound. More
Liefeld, Walter L. Ephesians. Vol. 10. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Print. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series
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