The Forces of Evil
Ephesians 6:12
The list of opposing powers in 6:12 is a comprehensive one that overlaps those listed earlier. The different designations here are not separated by conjunctions. That is, rather than “the rulers … and the authorities … and the powers of this dark world,” they are simply listed in sequence: against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (NIV inserts an unwarranted and between the last two groups). This could allow the inference that these are different ways of describing the same general group of supernatural enemies. On the other hand it could be that different groups are indicated, with the omission of connectives being for the rhetorical purpose of staccato emphasis.
If there are distinct groups, are the powers ranked? Are levels of authority indicated by the order in this passage? Rulers and authorities were mentioned in the earlier lists in Ephesians, where they are not named as evil but are neutral. Here they certainly are evil. The very words indicate a superior rank, but whether this is a superiority over humanity or over other supernatural beings is not specified.
Scholars are generally in agreement that the next term, kosmokratōr, translated the powers of this dark world, has roots in astrological thought, in which this world was considered to be under the influence of the planets, which themselves represented personal forces. As time went on the term was used for a broad spectrum of power figures, from the Roman emperor (specifically Caracella) to pagan gods. It was not a designation of just one such god; in pagan syncretism the gods and their names were sometimes blended. Therefore the fact that one god, Serapis, was called by the term kosmokratōr does not restrict it to him. (His name is a composite of those of two gods, Osiris and Apis.) The fact that at magical arts were practiced at Ephesus along with the customary pagan worship (Acts 19:23–34) prepares us for Paul’s mention here of major supernatural forces behind such activities.
The last term Paul uses, the spiritual forces of evil, could be a summary expression for all such forces that exist. This is a sobering passage. We know Paul held that there were actual demons behind pagan gods (1 Cor 10:20–22). We know also that Satan deceives the nations (Rev 20:3). Given these realities, it would be not only wrong but foolish and dangerous to live the Christian life without being prepared for spiritual warfare.
While it may be difficult to identify and distinguish between the specific powers named here, the point is clearly made that whatever supernatural forces there may be in this universe, Christ has gained victory over them and so may we. To recognize that is not to diminish the immense spiritual force they represent. Were that the case, there would be no need for the armor and there would be no occasion for the battle
Liefeld, Walter L. Ephesians. Vol. 10. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997. Print. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series.
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