In Ephesians 2:2 we read, "the ruler of the authority of the air" (NWT). The CLNT has "the chief of the jurisdiction of the air." Both of these are accurate renderings, but to what does this statement refer? Most in Christianity will answer, "Satan."
This is the only place where this phrase is used, so we need to look at the context for our answer. Let us look at verses. 1-3, which compose the context:
1. And you folks [who were] continuously existing being dead ones by (or: to; with; for; in) your stumblings aside (offences; wrong steps) and failures to hit the mark (or: mistakes; errors; times of falling short; sins)
2. - within the midst of and in union with which things you once walked about (= lived your lives) in accord (or: in keeping; corresponding) with (or: as directed by) the age of this ordered system (or: down through the time period of this world of culture, religion and government), in line with the primary directive of the right and privilege of air: the Breath-effect of the One at the present time continuously operating within the sons of The Disobedience.
(or: down under the controlling aspect of the authority of "the blowing" - of the Spirit of the One now progressively working internally in union with people having the character and qualities of in compliance; or: in correlation to the chief and leader of the privilege which comes from blowing: the attitude which expresses a lack of persuasion, or of not being convinced, which repeatedly energizes at the present time; or: in keeping with the one in first position with regard to the right concerning the atmosphere - the attitude now habitually effecting inward action within the midst of people displaying non-conviction),
3. among which folks we all also were once twisted up (or: entangled; overturned; upset) within the cravings (lusts; full longings and desires) of our flesh, continually doing the will (or: producing the intentions) of the flesh, and of the divided thoughts and things passing through the mind. Furthermore, we were continuously existing in essence (in natural condition; by instinct) being children of natural impulse (natural disposition; inherent fervor and swelling passion; teeming desire; or: anger; wrath), even as (or: as also) the rest (the remaining ones) [were].
The context is clearly speaking of people: the believers to whom Ephesians was written, and "the sons of the Disobedience," of whom both Paul and these believers were once a part - "being children of natural impulse (natural disposition; inherent fervor and swelling passion; teeming desire; or: anger; wrath), even as (or: as also) the rest (the remaining ones) [were]."
So the realm and area of this ruler or chief, or, as I have rendered it, "primary directive," is within humans. It works within "the sons of the Disobedience." You will note that I include the definite article here, as I think that Paul was referring to the primal disobedience - that of humanity, in Eden.
As you can see, I have explored other possible renderings of the last part of vs. 2. Let us consider each one: "in line with the primary directive of the right and privilege of air: the Breath-effect of the One at the present time continuously operating within the sons of The Disobedience."
I have translated the Greek archonta as "the primary directive" in my first rendering, de-personalizing the term. We were all members of Adam, sons of the Disobedience. This primary directive was operating within us, and is still operating within those who are yet disobedient and in compliant. This directive pertains to the right and privilege of air: we are breathing creatures. We have within us the result and effect of the Divine Breath, and thus we live - even though dead by the Disobedience, until He again grants us life.
We were "being dead folks" in and by our transgressions and sins. We lived our lives in union with, and within the midst of these transgressions and sins, "in accord (or: in keeping; corresponding) with (or: as directed by) the age of this ordered system (or: down through the time period of this world of culture, religion and government)." The primary directive was the Word that came to mankind in the Garden, and which followed it into the judgment which followed the disobedience, continuing to give mankind a right and a privilege to air - to be physically alive, although dead. We were subjected to an indefinite time period (age) of this world of culture, religion and government - subjected to futility, as Paul says in Romans 8, and vs. 3, above, gives the results.
So here we see my "primary view" of what it is that "rules" us as we continue breathing air - until we come to what Paul describes in vs. 4 and the following verses.
Now let us consider another view, from my second rendering of this important phrase: down under the controlling aspect of the authority of "the blowing" - of the Spirit of the One now progressively working internally in union with people having the character and qualities of in compliance.
Here I render archonta "the controlling aspect." It is that control which is expressed in the authority of "the blowing" - the blowing of the Spirit into the nostrils of Adam, and which continues working internally in union with people having the character and qualities of incompliance. That breath of God still works within humanity - even while they are incompliant: working the purpose of He who judged them, preparing them for His mercy, in their appointed time.
Next we have: in correlation to the chief and leader of the privilege which comes from blowing: the attitude which expresses a lack of persuasion, or of not being convinced, which repeatedly energizes at the present time.
Now here we have a different perspective: we have working within humanity a chief and leader which is an attitude which expresses a lack of persuasion. In this rendering we can see the negative aspect of the judgment: a spirit which produces an attitude of not being convinced and which lacks persuasion. At the present time, within the situation of man's predicament, it energizes disobedience and expressions of that which is negative. But keep in mind: it is within people; it is a part of humanity's need for deliverance and life. It is expressed in the will that is bound by this leading and chief force that came into mankind with the blowing (from God's breath), and is at the core of his nature, needing to be rightwised into obedience of the Truth.
Finally, let us consider: in keeping with the one in first position with regard to the right concerning the atmosphere - the attitude now habitually effecting inward action within the midst of people displaying non-conviction.
In this perspective we are considering a position (archonta) which humans have with regard to the right concerning the atmosphere. What atmosphere? Here I suggest that it refers to the social atmosphere in which we live. We were given the right to create our own atmospheres from our position "out of being" (ex-ousia) that we were given in our first position in the Garden. Even in our "fallen" condition, we were given, from out of our existence, the right to create the atmosphere in which we live. This base-line grace is used for ill, due to our being "dead folks" united with our falling aside and missing the goal. The "sons of the Disobedience" are those upon whom "God's inherent fervor (teeming passion and swelling desire; mental bent and natural impulse; propensity and disposition; or: anger, wrath and indignation) is continuously remaining (habitually dwelling and abiding)" - John 3:36.
But take courage, folks, Ephesians 2:4 and on, comes into play in God's chosen time. So who, or what, is this archonta of the exousia of the air? May the Spirit speak to your heart.
Jonathan
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