In writing to the Ephesians, who were new believers in Christ, Paul uses the phrase “the prince of the power of the air.” This is the only place in the scriptures where this phrase is found. Even though the identification of the “prince” is not named in this verse, we have assumed that to be Satan, the Devil. Even though “the power of the air” is not defined, we seem to think we know just what is being spoken of here, but do we?
When we have asked our teachers about this verse and what “the power of the air” is, mostly we get well, the air is full of transmissions of radio waves, TV frequencies, Internet communications etc! Usually some bad stuff will be mentioned like pornography, heavy metal music, and evil people on the Internet etc. This answer seems to suggest that evil entities are the ones to use the power of the air. Well that may be true but are there not also preaching, teachings and spiritual music being transmitted also? Another point is that at the time of this writing there was none of the above taking place. So that answer really doesn’t fly.
Have we ever studied this topic to make sure we have the full understanding of these scriptures especially as pertaining to the whole counsel of the Word of God? Who is the prince? What is the power of the air?
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
So let’s study this topic to make sure we have a full understanding of these scriptures especially as pertaining to the whole counsel of the Word of God? So, who is the prince of the power of the air is the question we should strive to understand. There are two questions presented in this passage, which we should seek to answer. Who is the prince? What is the power of the air? First let’s define some terms.
prince is #758 archon (ar'-khone); present participle of 757; a first (in rank or power):
#757 archo (ar'-kho); a primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power):
Certainly no believer should consider the Devil to be first in political rank or power above Jesus Christ! However, that is the Greek definition of the word “prince” here in Eph 2:2. Seems we will have to dig a little deeper here.
power is #1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:
The KJV translates this word as, authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, and strength. We usually use “authority”!
air is #109 aer (ah-ayr'); from aemi (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally circumambient):
If we stopped here, the Kingship of the Lord Jesus over the “air” looks a little bleak but we know that is not the case. So we must take a broader look at these scriptures and we must keep in mind Psalms 119:160, which states the sum of the Word of God is Truth. We should always take the whole counsel of the Word of God.
So who is Paul addressing in this passage? Paul is addressing the new believers but Paul is defining the life of these believers before they had confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior.
They are now members of the body of Christ and Paul is praying for these new believers for their eyes to be enlightened to the wisdom of God and to the inheritance of the saints in light. Then Paul reminds them of their old life before their conversion.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
We know that after the fall of Adam in the garden that his seed became tainted with the law of sin and death. Adam passed that sin and death nature to all his offspring. In the body of Christ, we call that the Adamic nature. Paul confirms this with the words “by nature” and concludes that those who have not been born again are the children of disobedience and are the children of wrath. Paul points out that there is a spirit that works in the children of disobedience. That would be the tainted spirit (seed of Adam) which we all received from our forefather Adam at the point of our conception. The scriptures call this “our old man” of sin. This why everyone needs a savior!
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him (Jesus), that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
When we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our old spirit man, which we received from the linage of Adam is destroyed and God sends the Spirit of His Son into our heart whereby we cry Abba father. In the spirit realm we change our linage and our inheritance from our natural father, the first Adam, to God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, the last Adam.
Again, when we looked at the definition of “air” #109, we found it to mean to breathe unconsciously or to blow air. Paul states in verse 3 that, before being born again, we were by nature the children of wrath. Paul links this to the “air” that naturally encircles us continually and we just breathe that air in and out unconsciously.
We know that God created mankind in His own image and after His likeness. Also we know that God framed the worlds with His spoken word. The design of mankind is in the likeness of God. Mankind must inhale air and breathes it out in order to speak words. “The power of the air” is that which gives us the ability speak.
Operating in the likeness of God, our words are our creative force. Spoken words are formed by “air” being forced over our vocal cords along with the movement of our tongue and our mouth and therewith we speak words! We do not have to make a calculated decision to inhale air so we can speak. We do that by nature or naturally.
One of the meanings of “blow” in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is, to drive a current of air. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “blow” as, to produce a sound by expelling a current of air.
Paul is describing to the Ephesians their former manner of life before salvation and how they spoke and walked according to the lust of the flesh and the old man of sin and were by nature the children of disobedience. Unbelievers just normally breathe in air and then speak according to the natural realm. It should not be so but some believers basically speak according the natural realm as well!
It is very clear that the Devil is the “prince of the power of that air” as pertaining to those who speaks according to the course of this world and worldly counsel!
We have taught and maintained that God is the God of absolutes and opposites. Paul is giving just one side of the story in Eph 2:1-3. Is there another side to this story? Yes there is!
Is there a chance that there is a Prince, Lord and King of the power of the air? Yes there is! How about the one who created mankind, the air and everything else that was made? His name is Jesus, who is the Word!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
Let’s look at the opposite side of Eph 2:2-3. That would be “the power of the air” from the redeemed side. That pertains to everything in the scriptures that gives us instruction of how to use the words of our mouth.
Before we confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior we mostly used the words of our mouth to align with the worldly counsel, the kingdom of darkness and negativity.
Once we confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we began to speak the Word of God out of our mouth. With our confession we began to follow the Lord Jesus and His kingdom of light. We moved from walking according to the course of this world to walking according to the course of the kingdom of heaven.
Ps 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff, which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Prov 18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (whatever is being spoken)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
The fruit of the mouth is the words that we speak out of our mouth. The power of the tongue and the words we speak is that which determines “who is the power of the air” in our life!
So there are two answers to the question, “who is the prince of the power of the air?” It depends on the one who is doing the speaking and the words anyone is speaking out of their mouth.
If unbelievers are speaking words that align with the course of this world and the kingdom of darkness, then the devil is the prince in control of the power of the air coming out of their mouth, naturally from the old Adamic nature and also learned social habit.
It should not be so but many believers have not renewed their mind to the Word of God and are still speaking much of the time from the learned social behavior.
If believers are speaking words that align with the kingdom of heaven written in the Word of God, then Jesus is the Prince, Lord and King of “the power of the air” because we are speaking the plan of God for our life personally and for the body of Christ and for the earth.
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Prov 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
There is so much teaching from the scriptures about the words of our mouth and the tongue, which we should study and meditate dailey. We gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom from the Word of God and those words should be that which is coming out of our mouth at all times and in every situation!
If we want to experience “the power of the air” then we should inhale and blow air over our vocal cords while saying the Word of God, praying the Word of God, singing the Word of God or just telling Jesus how much we love Him and thanking God for His wonderful works toward the children of men!
Grace and Peace multiplied in the name of Jesus.
Compiled by Jerry Thomas 12/10/2024
All scripture references are (KJV) unless otherwise denoted.
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