Ephesians 6:12

[Michael_C]

Hi Tim! I apologize for my absence and inactivity. I have been pouring through quite a bit of the topics here. So many pearls.

I recently came across some info regarding Eph. 6:12 that I can’t seem to work out. In regards to the translation differences all using the Textus Receptus. There many accusations that the translators of the KJV chose to specifically translate this verse differently from the Geneva translation because it would lead the reader to believe the ruling kingdom as evil. (*Side note: I also learned that the Geneva Bible was outlawed or banned due to it being more popular than the “authorized” KJV due to its notes and commentary. Seemed folks like that and the KJV didn’t have those notes so King James banned it on the premise that the Geneva Bible promoted Calvinism.) If you have any thoughts on that I’d love to hear it.

To my main question why do translations and even modern translations using the same Greek text of the TR translate it differently. I’m struggling with the difference in ideas one can get from them. I don’t see that it changes Paul’s message but I see some “patriots” using it in a way I don’t think Paul gives room for. I’ll list few here and including the LGV.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against the worldly gouernours, the princes of the darkenesse of this worlde, against spirituall wickednesses, which are in ye hie places.”Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭GNV
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“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬”

“because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places;” Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭YLT98‬‬

12 because we do not struggle with flesh and blood, but with authorities,
with powers, with the princes of the darkness of this age, against spiritual conspirators
in the celestial dominions. LGV

It seems it’s the phrase using the Greek word “exousias” and “archas”. Where some translations use archas as spiritual rulers such as Col. 2:15 and then the Geneva says it physical world rulers like in Luke 12:11. Then to really confuse me it’s used as “in the beginning” in Heb. 1:10. I understand Exousias will have a qualifier denoting who’s authority. But I don’t see the same for archas.

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/ephesians/6-12.htm
My understanding regardless of physical government/rulers it’s is the spiritual darkness behind it. We still do not fight the government, which is flesh and blood. But some are trying to say flesh and blood is not the same as an earthly government.

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