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Eph 6 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24

OET interlinear EPH 6:12

◄ ← EPH 6:12 ↓ → ║ ©

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

    1. Greek word
    2. Greek lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Ὅτι
    2. hoti
    3. Because
    4. -
    5. 37540
    6. C·······
    7. because
    8. because
    9. S
    10. Y64
    11. 130466
    1. οὐκ
    2. ou
    3. not
    4. isn't
    5. 37560
    6. C·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130467
    1. ἐστίν
    2. eimi
    3. is
    4. -
    5. 15100
    6. VIPA3··S
    7. is
    8. is
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130468
    1. ὑμῖν
    2. su
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 47710
    6. R···2D·P
    7. you_all
    8. you_all
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 130469
    1. ἡμῖν
    2. egō
    3. to us
    4. -
    5. 14730
    6. R···1D·P
    7. ˱to˲ us
    8. ˱to˲ us
    9. -
    10. Y64; R129220; R128863; R129795
    11. 130470
    1. ἡ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····NFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130471
    1. πάλη
    2. palē
    3. wrestling
    4. -
    5. 38230
    6. N····NFS
    7. wrestling
    8. wrestling
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130472
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. against
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130473
    1. αἷμα
    2. haima
    3. blood
    4. -
    5. 1290
    6. N····ANS
    7. blood
    8. blood
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130474
    1. καί
    2. kai
    3. and
    4. but
    5. 25320
    6. C·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130475
    1. σάρκα
    2. sarka
    3. flesh
    4. -
    5. 45610
    6. N····AFS
    7. flesh
    8. flesh
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130476
    1. ἀλλά
    2. alla
    3. but
    4. -
    5. 2350
    6. C·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130477
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. against
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130478
    1. τάς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AFP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130479
    1. μεθοδείας
    2. methodeia
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 31800
    6. N····AFP
    7. schemings
    8. schemings
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 130480
    1. ἀρχάς
    2. arχē
    3. rulers
    4. -
    5. 7460
    6. N····AFP
    7. rulers
    8. rulers
    9. -
    10. Y64; F130502
    11. 130481
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. against
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130482
    1. τάς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AFP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130483
    1. ἐξουσίας
    2. exousia
    3. authorities
    4. authorities
    5. 18490
    6. N····AFP
    7. authorities
    8. authorities
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130484
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. against
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130485
    1. τούς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····AMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130486
    1. κοσμοκράτορας
    2. kosmokratōr
    3. world rulers
    4. world's
    5. 28880
    6. N····AMP
    7. world_rulers
    8. world_rulers
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130487
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GNS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130488
    1. σκότους
    2. skotos
    3. of darkness
    4. darkness
    5. 46550
    6. N····GNS
    7. ˱of˲ darkness
    8. ˱of˲ darkness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130489
    1. τοῦ
    2. ho
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GMS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 130490
    1. αἰῶνος
    2. aiōn
    3. -
    4. -
    5. 1650
    6. N····GMS
    7. ˱of˲ age
    8. ˱of˲ age
    9. -
    10. -
    11. 130491
    1. τούτου
    2. houtos
    3. this
    4. -
    5. 37780
    6. E····GNS
    7. this
    8. this
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130492
    1. πρός
    2. pros
    3. against
    4. -
    5. 43140
    6. P·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130493
    1. τά
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130494
    1. πνευματικά
    2. pneumatikos
    3. spiritual
    4. spiritual
    5. 41520
    6. S····ANP
    7. spiritual
    8. spiritual
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130495
    1. τῆς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····GFS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130496
    1. πονηρίας
    2. ponēria
    3. of wickedness
    4. wickedness
    5. 41890
    6. N····GFS
    7. ˱of˲ wickedness
    8. ˱of˲ wickedness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130497
    1. ἐν
    2. en
    3. in
    4. -
    5. 17220
    6. P·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130498
    1. τοῖς
    2. ho
    3. the
    4. -
    5. 35880
    6. E····DNP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130499
    1. ἐπουρανίοις
    2. epouranios
    3. heavenly realms
    4. heavenly
    5. 20320
    6. S····DNP
    7. heavenly ‹realms›
    8. heavenly ‹realms›
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130500

OET (OET-LV) Because is not to_us the wrestling against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world_rulers of_ the this _darkness, against the spiritual of_ the _wickedness in the heavenly realms.

OET (OET-RV) Our struggle isn’t against people, but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this world’s darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:10–20: Paul told believers how to fight against Satan

In this section, Paul compared the Christian to a soldier fighting in a war. The Christian’s enemies are not human, but supernatural. Christians are fighting against the devil and all the powers of evil, and they must use all the weapons that God gives them. Paul described six pieces of equipment that the Roman soldier of that time used (see the picture below), and he compared each one to something spiritual that will help Christians to overcome Satan. Then Paul also reminded Christians to pray at all times. He told them to pray for their fellow believers and to pray for him so that he would be able to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Wear the full armour of God (NCV)

Put on all the armour that God supplies (GW)

Christians should prepare and fight against evil spiritual forces

6:12a

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For here introduces the basis or reason for the previous statement. What Paul said in 6:12 was the basis for what he told the Ephesians in 6:11, “take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Not all English versions translate this conjunction. Translate For in a way that is natural in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this in English:

Because

The reason I say this is that

our struggle is not against flesh and blood: In this context, struggle refers to a fight or conflict. Paul was saying that we do fight, but that we are not fighting against other people.

You may want to change the noun struggle into a verb. For example:

we are not fighting against human beings (GNT)

But make sure that your translation is clear: Paul was not saying “we are not fighting…” He said that we do fight, but we don’t fight against ordinary people. For example:

For it is like we are in a battle. But it is not people we are fighting. No, we are fighting…

flesh and blood: The phrase flesh and blood is a figure of speech that refers to human beings or people. See flesh, Meaning 4, in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

people on earth (NCV)

human beings (GNT)

Here is another way to translate all of 6:12a:

The fight we are in, is not a fight with people of the earth, no it’s with…

6:12b–c

against the rulers…the authorities…the powers…the spiritual forces: This list of four terms refers to all ranks of evil spirits that are ruling our world. The list does not refer to earthly rulers. This list is very similar to the list in 1:21a. See how you translated them there.

Also see the notes below for more information on these four terms and for translation advice at the end of this note.

6:12b

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness,

against: Paul repeated the word against four times in this sentence: “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers…against the spiritual forces….” This repetition is emphatic. Look for ways to communicate this emphasis in your language. Perhaps you will want to repeat the verb “fight,” for example:

We are fighting the invisible ones who have authority and power. We are fighting the chiefs of darkness that rule in this world. We are fighting all kinds of evil spirits that control the sky.

Or you could repeat the first clause:

We are fighting against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. It is against all these that we are fighting.

rulers…authorities: The first two words Paul used, rulers and authorities, are the same words he used in 1:21a and 3:10b. The words rulers and authorities in this verse refer to all types of evil spirit beings.

powers of this world’s darkness: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates of this world’s darkness is literally “of this darkness.”

There is an interpretation issue here.

  1. Most versions translate this phrase so that “dark/darkness” refers to the world. For example:

    against mighty powers in this dark world (NLT)

    (BSB, NLT, NIV, RSV. NET, GW, NCV, NJB)

  2. Another interpretation is the darkness refers to “this age.” For example:

    this dark age (GNT)

It is recommended that you follow (1) as it is supported by a majority of translations.

The word darkness is a metaphor for evil here, as in 5:8–11. This phrase means “the world-chiefs or powerful spiritual beings who rule this dark (evil) world.” See world, Meaning 2 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

mighty powers in this dark world (NLT)

the powers who govern this world of darkness (GW)

6:12c

and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms: The phrase spiritual forces of evil is another way of saying evil spirits or demons. These evil spirits are in the heavenly realms.

Here are some other ways to translate spiritual forces of evil:

spiritual powers of evil (NCV)

evil spirits (NLT)

in the heavenly realms: The phrase the heavenly realms refer to the area above the earth where the spirits were thought to live. This does not refer to heaven where God is. The term in the heavenly realms also occurs in 3:10b.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

above the earth from the very headquarters of evil (JBP)

In the spiritual world (CEV)

General Comment on 6:12a–c

It is not necessary to find an equivalent term in your language for each of these four terms listed above. It is possible to translate these four terms by one, two or three terms. For example:

Because our enemy is not human but the leader of demons and all his servants and they are all bad/evil; their place is there in the sky. They have supernatural power and some of them have authority and they rule over all people in darkness here in this world.

For we are not fighting against people, but we are fighting against evil supernatural powers that dwell above the earth. These spiritual forces rule over people during these dark days in which we live.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ὅτι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὐκ ἐστίν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρός αἷμα καί σάρκα ἀλλά πρός τάς ἀρχάς πρός τάς ἐξουσίας πρός τούς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου πρός τά πνευματικά τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις)

The connecting word For introduces the reason of this reason-result relationship. The reason is that we are in a struggle against spiritual forces of darkness. The result is that we should put on the whole armor of God. Use a phrase in your language that connects a reason to a result.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

αἷμα καὶ σάρκα

blood (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὐκ ἐστίν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρός αἷμα καί σάρκα ἀλλά πρός τάς ἀρχάς πρός τάς ἐξουσίας πρός τούς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου πρός τά πνευματικά τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις)

This expression refers to people, not to spirits who do not have human bodies. Alternate translation: [human beings]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

ἀλλὰ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὐκ ἐστίν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρός αἷμα καί σάρκα ἀλλά πρός τάς ἀρχάς πρός τάς ἐξουσίας πρός τούς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου πρός τά πνευματικά τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις)

The connecting word but introduces a contrast relationship. People made of flesh and blood are in contrast to spiritual forces.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ὅτι οὐκ ἐστίν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρός αἷμα καί σάρκα ἀλλά πρός τάς ἀρχάς πρός τάς ἐξουσίας πρός τούς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου πρός τά πνευματικά τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις)

Here it is implied that the world-controllers refers to powerful spiritual beings. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [against the powerful spiritual beings that rule over people]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τοῦ σκότους τούτου

¬the ˱of˲_darkness this

Here, darkness is a metaphor for things that are evil. Alternate translation: [during this present evil time]

TSN Tyndale Study Notes:

6:12 Believers should not consider human beings to be their enemies. Instead, the opposition they face comes from the unseen world of spiritual evil, and Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21-22).

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Greek word
    5. Greek lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. OET Gloss
    8. VLT Gloss
    9. CAPS codes
    10. Confidence
    11. OET tags
    12. OET word #
    1. Because
    2. -
    3. 37540
    4. S
    5. hoti
    6. C-·······
    7. because
    8. because
    9. S
    10. Y64
    11. 130466
    1. is
    2. -
    3. 15100
    5. eimi
    6. V-IPA3··S
    7. is
    8. is
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130468
    1. not
    2. isn't
    3. 37560
    5. ou
    6. C-·······
    7. not
    8. not
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130467
    1. to us
    2. -
    3. 14730
    5. egō
    6. R-···1D·P
    7. ˱to˲ us
    8. ˱to˲ us
    9. -
    10. Y64; R129220; R128863; R129795
    11. 130470
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····NFS
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130471
    1. wrestling
    2. -
    3. 38230
    5. palē
    6. N-····NFS
    7. wrestling
    8. wrestling
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130472
    1. against
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130473
    1. blood
    2. -
    3. 1290
    5. haima
    6. N-····ANS
    7. blood
    8. blood
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130474
    1. and
    2. but
    3. 25320
    5. kai
    6. C-·······
    7. and
    8. and
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130475
    1. flesh
    2. -
    3. 45610
    5. sarka
    6. N-····AFS
    7. flesh
    8. flesh
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130476
    1. but
    2. -
    3. 2350
    5. alla
    6. C-·······
    7. but
    8. but
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130477
    1. against
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130478
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AFP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130479
    1. rulers
    2. -
    3. 7460
    5. arχē
    6. N-····AFP
    7. rulers
    8. rulers
    9. -
    10. Y64; F130502
    11. 130481
    1. against
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130482
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AFP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130483
    1. authorities
    2. authorities
    3. 18490
    5. exousia
    6. N-····AFP
    7. authorities
    8. authorities
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130484
    1. against
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130485
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····AMP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130486
    1. world rulers
    2. world's
    3. 28880
    5. kosmokratōr
    6. N-····AMP
    7. world_rulers
    8. world_rulers
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130487
    1. of
    2. darkness
    3. 46550
    5. skotos
    6. N-····GNS
    7. ˱of˲ darkness
    8. ˱of˲ darkness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130489
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····GNS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130488
    1. this
    2. -
    3. 37780
    5. houtos
    6. E-····GNS
    7. this
    8. this
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130492
    1. darkness
    2. darkness
    3. 46550
    5. skotos
    6. N-····GNS
    7. ˱of˲ darkness
    8. ˱of˲ darkness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130489
    1. against
    2. -
    3. 43140
    5. pros
    6. P-·······
    7. against
    8. against
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130493
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····ANP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130494
    1. spiritual
    2. spiritual
    3. 41520
    5. pneumatikos
    6. S-····ANP
    7. spiritual
    8. spiritual
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130495
    1. of
    2. wickedness
    3. 41890
    5. ponēria
    6. N-····GFS
    7. ˱of˲ wickedness
    8. ˱of˲ wickedness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130497
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····GFS
    7. ¬the
    8. ¬the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130496
    1. wickedness
    2. wickedness
    3. 41890
    5. ponēria
    6. N-····GFS
    7. ˱of˲ wickedness
    8. ˱of˲ wickedness
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130497
    1. in
    2. -
    3. 17220
    5. en
    6. P-·······
    7. in
    8. in
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130498
    1. the
    2. -
    3. 35880
    5. ho
    6. E-····DNP
    7. the
    8. the
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130499
    1. heavenly realms
    2. heavenly
    3. 20320
    5. epouranios
    6. S-····DNP
    7. heavenly ‹realms›
    8. heavenly ‹realms›
    9. -
    10. Y64
    11. 130500

OET (OET-LV) Because is not to_us the wrestling against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world_rulers of_ the this _darkness, against the spiritual of_ the _wickedness in the heavenly realms.

OET (OET-RV) Our struggle isn’t against people, but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this world’s darkness, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

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