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Further, the Apostle speaks about wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants and masters because regarding this the Jews slandered him, as well as some of the pagans, maybe even the Ephesians. So, he wrote this to the Ephesians in order to protect himself and show that he cared about them more than about the Jews and the Gentiles (Eph. 6:1-9). After admonishing those who loved the world, he turns to strengthening those who would like to renounce the world. And in order to equip them with divine weapons through their spiritual works, so that they could resist not only the power of him (the devil) alone (Eph. 6:10), but also Eph.6:11. against all the machinations of the enemy, Eph.6:12. “Your abuse,” he says, “is not against flesh and blood, that is, your struggle is not with people, for although the enemy is fighting you through unrighteous people and persecutors and enemies, yet “Your warfare,” he says, “is against the principalities and powers, and against the rulers of this darkness, and against the spirits uncleanness in the air of the sky. Please pay attention to what I did not say: scold those (evil spirits), but: - for it is not he (the devil) who is fighting against us, but we are against him. Although he plots, he has no power; and even though he had strength, it was not given to him to fight us by force, but by arranging intrigues. So he fought with Adam and Eve not by force, but by various wiles of the mind - and not with a strong and strong voice, but approached with insidious flattery. He approaches all people in the same way, except for those cases when he asks for power and is given permission to use it at a certain time and in a certain place, as, for example, he asked for and received power over Job. So, without any violence, with only seductions and intrigues, he approaches the sons of Adam and Eve, just as he approached Adam and Eve. But if the enemy himself approaches us only with temptations and excitement (toward evil), then, on the contrary, through all possible struggle and warfare, that is, feats of fasting and prayer, we can rid ourselves of his malicious tricks and from false temptations to evil. If above he called them rulers in heaven, he did this in order to establish the difference between bodily rulers and spiritual rulers. But as in the words of David: “all the flying (creatures) of heaven will dwell there” (Ps. 103:12), we mean the birds in the air, and not those of the sky; so, in the same way, when it speaks of the rulers of the heavens, we mean the rulers in the air, and not the rulers in the heavens. Above I called them the rulers of the world because they have the ability to spread temptations throughout the world and lead people living throughout the circle into sin earth. And also called them dark spirits under the sky in order to show that those dark deeds that he teaches are carried out secretly and in darkness. He said: “under the heavens [in heaven]” (Eph. 6:12), in order to show that his (the devil’s) dwelling is “under” the heavens, and not “above” the heavens, and also that their evil deeds are committed and honored among people, but not at all. not between fiery and spiritual Guardians (Angels), as some heretical sects claim. Eph.6:12. and against spirits of uncleanness, then these are the ones who dare to enter into people, such as, for example, Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9) and the man who beat himself against the stones (Mark 5:5). Eph.6:13. For... this, - he says, - take... weapons so that... you... can stand and resist the enemies on the evil day, that is, on the day when any of the lusts arises against us, which we overcome with these weapons. Eph.6:16. And prepare yourself in everything, that is, in truth and righteousness, so that through them and the virtues connected with them Is it possible for you to extinguish... the fiery arrows of the evil one, that is, inciting the thoughts of the enemy. Eph.6:18. Through every prayer and petition, praying not only for themselves, but also Eph.6:19. And pray for me, that a word may be given to me in the open and in my mouth, that is, so that there is no fear and embarrassment in me, - boldly proclaim the mystery Eph.6:20. for which I am an ambassador not with honor and gifts, but in chains and Eph.6:21. And so that you also know what concerns me [my... circumstances], what I do [and deeds], - so I sent Tychicus so that he would tell you Eph.6:22. regarding us, and brought us news about you, - and so that he will comfort your hearts in the sorrow with which you are depressed, that is, by informing you of that strength and delight, thanks to which we rejoice in our sorrows. Eph.6:24. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ without corruption, You might be interested in: