Ephesians 6:12 (GNV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the assaultes of the deuil.

Ephesians 6:12 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 6:13 For this cause take vnto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the euill day, and hauing finished all things, stand fast.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, and your loynes girded about with veritie, and hauing on the brest plate of righteousnesse,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "world", "wrestle", "against", "flesh", "blood", "principalities", and "powers". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "world", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 11's "Put on the whole armour of God..." into verse 13's "For this cause take vnto you the...", so "Spirit" and "world" belong inside that flow. In Ephesians context, the local focus is grace, union with Christ, the church, and new creation.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "world" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.