On Ephesians 2:2
By Jonathan Mitchell

kata ton archonta tes exousias tou aeros

To what do these phrases refer? My first rendering of it (in line with the primary directive of the right and privilege of air) presents a perspective that differs from traditional renderings. In line with this reading, the clause that follows these phrases is put in apposition, as a definition of that to which these phrases refer (the Breath-effect of the One at the present time continuously operating within the sons of The Disobedience).

By expressing the definite article before "Disobedience" I am suggesting that Paul is here referencing the disobedience of Adam, and thus of all humanity (a frequent theme in Pauline writings). However, I have offered alternate renderings of the entire last half of vs. 2 in the parenthetical insertion that follows. So before engaging in a discussion, let us read the immediate context of the phrases that are the focus of this study.

1. And you folks [who were] continuously existing being dead ones by (or: to; with; in) the results and effects of 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 secular culture, religion, economy 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 incompliance;
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 or an uncompliant disposition),

3. immersed 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 (= the estranged human nature, or the alienated self), continually doing the will (or: producing the intentions) of the flesh (= our existence while in bondage), 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].

4. But God, continuously being wealthy and rich in mercy, because of His vast (much; great in magnitude and quantity; outstretched; long-lasting; repeated) Love in (or: with) which He focused love on (or: loves) us [p46 reads: had mercy on us],

5. even us, being continuously dead ones by (or: in; to; with) the results and effects of stumblings aside (wrong steps; offences) [p46 reads: ... in (to; by) the bodies; other MSS: by the failure(s) to hit the mark (sin/sins);
B reads: within the stumblings aside and the cravings (lusts)] He made alive together by (or: joins us in common life with and in; [p46, B: within; in union with]) the Christ – by Grace and joyous favor you continually exist, being folks having been delivered (rescued and saved, so that you are now safe; made whole)! –

6. and He jointly roused and raised (or: suddenly awakens and raises) [us] up, and caused [us] to sit (or: seats [us]) together within the things situated upon [thus, above] the heavens
(or: in union with the full, perfected heavenlies; or, although neuter: among those comprising the complete and perfected heavenlies; among the ones [residing] upon the atmospheres; in union with the celestials) within and in union with Christ Jesus,

7. to the end that within continuously oncoming ages (the indefinite time periods continually and progressively coming upon and overtaking [us]) He may exhibit (display; point out; give proof of) the continuously transcending (being cast beyond; overshooting) riches and wealth of His grace and favor, in useful goodness (beneficial kindness) [flooding] upon us, within Christ Jesus (or: in union with [the] Anointed Jesus).

The "hina" phrase (to the end that) that begins vs. 7 signals the conclusion of Paul's thoughts in this section, giving God's purpose for what he has been describing and discussing from vs. 1, on.

What he has expressed in the last half of vs. 2 he restates in the last half of vs. 3:
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].

This was the human condition before the Christ event, and existentially continues so until each person has been placed in covenant relationships (rightwised; justified), with God and people, and "made alive (or: in union with the Anointed One, everyone will be created with Life) – yet each person within the effect of his or her own class or division," within Christ (1 Cor. 15:22b-3a).

So I first rendered "ton archonta" as the primary directive, which I interpret as being the "dying" of God's judgment which would come upon Adam's disobedience. Thus did I capitalize "Breath-effect" (or: Spirit), for this is the breath of God in the form of judgment, and is "the One at the present time continuously operating within the sons of The Disobedience." He alone is the One who has "the right and privilege of air," and Who effects our very life and existence here, "He Himself being the One constantly giving to all people (or: all things) life and breath and all things (or: everything; the whole [universe])!" (Acts 17:25b), and, "For you see, within the midst of and in union with Him we continuously live (or, as a subjunctive: could be constantly living), and are constantly moved about and put into motion, and continue existing (experiencing Being) – vs. 28. Now here Paul was describing the common human situation. In our passage, above, he is giving the description of the negative condition of the pre-Christ existence.

I would further suggest that God continues operating within these folks, but under the new arrangement (covenant with humanity) of the new creation. He is plowing the fallow ground, burning off the briars and weeds (Heb. 6:8), reworking the clay in preparation of forming a new pot on the wheel.

But let us consider the other options of 2:2b, above: "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 incompliance."

The rendering, "the blowing," is the Greek "aer" (air; atmosphere) which comes from "aemi" (to blow; to breathe unconsciously; or, passively: to be wafted or carried by the wind, or beaten by the wind). The Breath-effect/Spirit is the controlling aspect of the authority of the "blowing" of His breath both into humans to give them life, and to move upon them for His purposes – be they for good or for ill. The word "internally" gives the force of the Greek "en" which is prefixed to the verb "ergeo," to work.

The next option is: "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."

Note the range of "kata," here rendered "in correlation to." "Chief and leader" is another meaning of "archonta" (also rendered "controlling aspect," above). Here "ex-ousia" (literally: out of being) is given again as "privilege," and "aepos" is rendered as an ablative (source) instead of a subjective genitive.

For "pneumatos" I give "attitude," which is in the genitive and thus has correlation to "the chief and leader," and the picture here is that this is an attitude/spirit that controls the lives of these people, and "energizes" them. Note the final phrase, "at the present time" – this is not their final condition, any more than Paul's former condition was his ultimate end.

The last alternative of 2b is: "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 or an uncompliant disposition." Rendering "archonta" as "first position" speaks to the condition of the fallen Adam "with regard to [humanity's] right, concerning the atmosphere" in this earth-life. The rest of the clause speaks for itself.

Taking all these various readings of the Greek, with their possible meanings, seems to speak primarily to the condition of estranged humanity and mankind's predicament. Paul's language seems apocalyptic, but I think that he is speaking to the story of Adam, and not about a mythic spirit-being. This latter would have to be injected into the text.

Now let us consider the first part of vs. 3: "immersed 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 (= the estranged human nature, or the alienated self), continually doing the will (or: producing the intentions) of the flesh (= our existence while in bondage), and of the divided thoughts and things passing through the mind." Paul is speaking of "the cravings of our flesh" and "the will of the flesh" and "the divided thoughts" of the mind. He is not referencing a cosmic spirit-being. The context is this life here, in it estranged existence.

In vss. 4-5 we see that the remedy is not "killing the mythic primeval monster," as in paganism, but the love of God giving us life and salvation. Then in vs. 6 Paul returns to the Gospel message: the death and resurrection of Christ, but here pointing out that we are jointly included in the Christ event.

Jonathan

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