Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- PART 1 The Background to Paul's Thought on the Powers
- PART 2 Exegesis of Pauline Texts
- 3 The powers and Christ triumphant
- 4 The powers and the spiritual world
- 5 The powers and the political world
- Conclusion to Part 2
- PART 3 The post-Pauline development
- PART 4 Final Remarks
- Notes
- Select Bibliography
- Index
4 - The powers and the spiritual world
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 January 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- PART 1 The Background to Paul's Thought on the Powers
- PART 2 Exegesis of Pauline Texts
- 3 The powers and Christ triumphant
- 4 The powers and the spiritual world
- 5 The powers and the political world
- Conclusion to Part 2
- PART 3 The post-Pauline development
- PART 4 Final Remarks
- Notes
- Select Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Ephesians
The problem of the authorship of Ephesians is far more acute than that of Colossians. The question may for the time being be left in doubt, but this cannot be made an excuse for the omission of the epistle from a study of Pauline thought on the powers. In dealing with any theme of Pauline theology attention should at least be given to any common ground between the recognised writings and Ephesians. The present approach, therefore, will be to consider the subject of the powers and connected ideas in this epistle and then to compare the findings with Paul's writings elsewhere.
The heavenly world is mentioned frequently in the letter. The terms αἱ ἀρχαὶ καὶ αἱ ἐξουσίαι; occur in three passages, each of which is an exegetical difficulty. In addition, the Devil appears under several guises, and the widespread language of τὰ ἐπουρἀνια and of οι οὐρανοί demands careful investigation.
The heavenly places
Two terms for the heavenly world occur in Ephesians: τὰ ἐπουράνια is found in 1: 3, 20; 2: 6; 3: 10; and 6: 12. οἱ οὀρανοί occurs in 1: 10; 3: 15; 4: 10; and 5:9. The latter is used for the heavens when they are simply contrasted spatially with the earth. Thus in 1: 10 the earth is specifically mentioned, and in 3: 15, where the image of ‘families in heaven and earth’ is introduced, the discussion is less about the organisation of the heavenly world than about the universality of God's fatherhood.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Angels and PrincipalitiesThe Background, Meaning and Development of the Pauline Phrase hai archai kai hai exousiai, pp. 93 - 114Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1981