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Ephesians 2:1-2-And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Recently, I was teaching Bible class and we were studying Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10-18. I made the comment that Satan is going to focus on the church because we are a threat to him, and he already has the people of the world. A brother wisely pointed out that while Satan has the people of the world, he wants to keep them!!
That is an excellent consideration, and it brought to mind these words by Paul in Ephesians 2:1-2. Here, the Apostle talks about the fact that the people of the world (ie, lost sinners) are being influenced by “the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.”
What does this mean, and what may we learn from it?
Let’s study.
When we look at the grammar of this passage and compare it with other texts outside of the Bible and in the same cultural background of Scripture, we learn some interesting things.
“2: 2c-d Under the control of the ruler of the realm of the air, the spirit who is now powerfully working in the sons of disobedience (κατὰ τὸν ἄρχοντα τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέρος, τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ νῦν ἐνεργοῦντος ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς τῆς ἀπειθείας). The second powerful influence that formerly held the readers in bondage to sin was the devil. Far from simply stating this fact, Paul elaborates on this being and his work with a descriptive series of expressions. In characterizing him as “the ruler” (ὁ ἄρχων), Paul uses the primary title given to Satan in John’s gospel (“ the ruler of this world,” ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου; John 12: 31; 14: 30; 16: 11). Satan is also referred to as “the ruler of the demons” (ὁ ἄρχων τῶν δαιμονίων) in the Synoptic Gospels (Matt 9: 34; 12: 24; Mark 3: 22; Luke 11: 15). This usage can be traced back to apocalyptic, especially the book of Daniel, where the Theodotian text (a second-century AD form of the Greek OT text) uses the term in reference to the angelic powers over the nations (e.g., “the ruler of the Persians” and “the ruler of the Greeks”; cf. Dan 10: 13, 20). On one other occasion Paul uses the term to refer to demonic powers (1 Cor 2: 6, 8). This evil angelic ruler wields control over a realm (ἐξουσία), which Paul describes as “the air” (τοῦ ἀέρος). This is a different usage of the term ἐξουσία than the way it is used elsewhere in the letter (Eph 1: 21; 3: 10: 6: 12), where it is used in the plural and denotes demonic beings. Here it refers to the sphere of the ruler’s influence. It has this sense also in Col 1: 13. By analogy with earthly political power, it is used to refer to Herod’s jurisdiction (Luke 23: 7). This is the only time, however, that Paul (or for that matter, any other biblical author) speaks of “the air” (ὁ ἀήρ) as the domain of Satan. The idea of “the air” as a place where demons were active is well-known in Judaism. This can be seen in a first-century Jewish document: “For the person who fears God and loves his neighbor cannot be plagued by the aerial spirit of Beliar since he is sheltered by the fear of God” (T. Benj. 3: 4). Similarly, Philo speaks of demons as hovering in the air (Philo, On Giants 1.6, 8) and 1 Enoch as dwelling in the clouds (1 En. 15: 10–11). This was also a common conception for any of Paul’s readers who had participated in magical practices, where the notion of “aerial spirits” and “aerial powers” was common. One magical text has the petition, “protect me from every demon in the air” (PGM IV. 2699). Another one says, “I conjure you by the one who is in charge of the air (κατὰ τοῦ ἔχοντος τὸν ἀέρα)” (PGM CI. 39). Air is a particularly apt metaphor for the realm of spirits because they are invisible. In fact, the very word “spirit” (πνεῦμα) could also be used for “wind.” Paul goes on to describe the devil as “the spirit” who is now “powerfully working” (ἐνεργοῦντος) in non-Christians. The English adverb “powerfully” was chosen to help translate this word because it is a power-denoting term that implies more than the idea of simply “working in” (e.g., ποιῶν ἐν), especially in this context. The word is present in a Jewish text describing the influence of evil spirits on people: “As you forsake the Lord, you will live in every evil deed … and the spirits of deception will be powerfully working (ἐνεργούντων) in you to accomplish every evil act” (T. Dan 5: 5; translation mine). The same concept is dramatically present in a first-century Jewish text that reflects on the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah: Manasseh did not remember the commands of his father … and served Satan and his angels and his powers (δυνάμεσιν)…. And he turned the house of his father away from the service of God and served the devil … and he [the devil] strengthened (καταδυναμόω) him in the apostasy and in the lawlessness which he sowed in Jerusalem. And he multiplied the sorcery and the magic and the divination. (Martyrdom of Isaiah 2: 1–5; translation mine) Here the leadership of Israel is seen as corrupt because of the direct influence of a hostile angel on the human political leader. The expression “sons of disobedience,” although a strange expression to contemporary ears, is a Semitic way of referring to disobedient people. “Sons of …” can be seen regularly throughout the OT and NT as a way of characterizing people by the genitive expression that follows, which should be understood as an attributive genitive (e.g., [lit.], “sons of the covenant,” Ezek 30: 5; “sons of the light,” Luke 16: 8; “sons of this age,” Luke 20: 34).” (Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary On The New Testament, Ephesians, 212-214 (Kindle Edition): Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan)
The Bible makes it plain that those who are spiritually lost are under the influence and delusion of Satan and his forces. This influence is in harmony with humanity’s free will. In other words, the devil can’t make us sin but he can work to influence and coerce us (Luke 4:1-13; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 John 2:15-17).
So what do we do?
First, we realize the truth of this spiritual warfare that is taking place. The devil is walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:7-12). We must not be ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). He and his forces are ever present, looking for our weaknesses and working to lure us away with temptations and lies (James 1:13-15; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:10-12).
Second, the answer to defeating Satan is the Good News of Jesus!
Ephesians 2:4-10-But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
When the Ephesians had been “made alive,” they had gained victory over the power of Satan. This took place in the act of baptism:
Ephesians 5:26-that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Ferguson tells us about the background of this washing of water by the Word:
“There is very likely a reference to baptism in 5: 26. Christ gave himself up for the church “in order that he might sanctify her, purifying her by the washing [τ λoυτρ, bath] of water with the word [ἐν ῥήματι].” The context compares the relations of husbands and wives with the relations of Christ and the church. In view of this marriage context elements of a wedding ceremony that could be related to Christian practice are likely being drawn on. The bride took a bath before the wedding, hence the reference to a washing expressly said to be in water, which would parallel the baptism of Christ’s “bride,” the church, taking place in the conversion of each of its members. There was also a wedding contract, an exchange of vows, hence the reference to a “word.”” (Everett Ferguson, Baptism In The Early Church: History, Theology, And Liturgy In The First Five Centuries, 3503-3509 (Kindle Edition); Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
Satan has dominion over the people of the world, but the preaching of God’s Word and obedience to it can free humanity from the “spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.”
Acts 26:16-18-But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Father, thank You for salvation-not only from the dominion of sin, but also from the dominion of Satan. Thank You for victory in Jesus. Forgive us when we stray. Help us as share this Good News with others. Amen: