20160821 Sunday, August 21 2016
Ephesians 02: Who Called Satan A Prince?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience"

The New Testament was written mostly in Greek because it was the "world language" of that time (see Paul, The Apostle To The World).

The Greek word, pronounced ar-khay-gohss, means a supreme leader. It is found in the Biblical record 4 times, where it is variously translated as "prince," "author" or "captain." That word was used exclusively for Jesus Christ.

"3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses." (Acts 3:14-15 KJV)

"5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:30-31 KJV)

"2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews 2:9-10 KJV)

"12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Another Greek word, pronounced ar-khone, means first in rank. It is found 37 times in the New Testament. While it is also translated as "prince" or "ruler," it does not mean supreme ruler, as does the Greek word above. It is used at a limited, worldly level, as in the politics of man, local or national.

Examples where the word is used to refer to humans:

"9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live." (Matthew 9:18 KJV)

"20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;" (Matthew 20:25-26 KJV)

"23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people" (Luke 23:13 KJV)

The word is also used for Satan (see also What Is Satan's Real Name?) - keeping in mind that it's a word that means a ruler of those under him, while not being a supreme ruler, such as was used exclusively for Jesus Christ.

Who called Satan a "prince" with that word? Many people, including the unbelievers who used the word to blaspheme the Messiah:

"9:34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils." (Matthew 9:34 KJV)

"3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 3:30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:22-30 KJV)

The Messiah also used that limited-power-meaning word for Satan:

"12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (John 12:30-31 KJV)

"14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." (John 14:30-31 KJV)

As we read, Paul did not originate the term "prince" for Satan in his famous "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." It was a familiar term for Satan, among believers and even unbelievers. But always, it was used for a ruler who, sooner or later, will be subject to a greater ruler.

"2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10 KJV)

Paul then emphasized that "greater view" - as shown in their deliberate choice of two different words for "prince" - one meaning a limited leader of the world, the other meaning the supreme leader of everything in the world ("Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"). It's the reason that the Messiah is called "the King of kings" in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16 (see also Revelation: Thy Kingdom Come).

"2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:11-22 KJV)

Fact Finder: (a) When and where will eternal life begin? Why is it called a Kingdom? (b) When will Satan be put away? What Biblical Holy Day portrays and prophesies it?
(a) See Born Again In The Coming Kingdom Of God and The Patriotism Prophecy
(b) See The Christian Day Of Atonement