The Prince of the Power of the Air

Ephesians 2: 2

By Carl O. Cooper 

                   In Ephesians 2:2 we have a phrase that seems simple enough at first when we see it. It reads like this: Ephesians 2:2 KJV

                   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 worketh in the children of disobedience: 

                   Simple, right? “The prince of the power of the air” is obviously referring to the Devil. And isn’t it easy to see how the Devil rules the air waves? Look at what you see broadcast on the TV and internet air waves today. Is there any doubt that the air waves are ruled by Satan?  

                   But wait! Not so fast!

                   When the Apostle Paul wrote these words there was no such thing as radio waves in the air. It just would not seem reasonable that the meaning of this phrase would have to do with something that would not be invented for 2000 years into the future. Of course God is not hindered with time and He could have known the impact this would have on people today. Nevertheless, it does not seem reasonable to place this explanation on this phrase spoken 2000 years ago to a group of people who would read these verses for 2000 years before radio waves would even exist.

                   So, what could these words mean?

                   Well, I think it is pretty simple to see that the word “prince” is referring to Satan. The context is pretty clear on this point. This “prince” seems to be in charge of the evil influence that sets the sinful “course of this world”. Paul says that “in times past” the Ephesians walked in this evil influence.

                   And it’s pretty clear that this “prince” has power.

                   And it is also pretty clear that “the prince of the power of the air” is a “spirit”. And the text says that this “spirit” works in the “children of disobedience”.

                   Now comes the difficult part, for me.

                   Why does Paul say that this powerful spirit being is “the power of the air”?

                   Well, perhaps the Greek words can help us here.

                   The Greek word use here and translated “air” is ‘ah-ayr’” And according to the Strong’s definition of this word it means; “From the root word aemi which means “to breath unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow”. 

                   OK, so it means “to breath or to blow”. So how does that help us?

                   Well, one clue could be the reference to Strong’s Greek word number 5594.

                   This Greek word is “psucho” and it is found in Matthew 24: 11-12. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

                   The word “cold” in this verse is from the Greek word “psucho”. 

                   This word has 2 root words; “pneo” which denotes forcible respiration. Or to blow.

                   And the second root word is “aer” which denotes “to chill” or “wax cold”.

                   So, the Greek word psucho is from 2 root words “pneo” and “aer”.

                   The Strong’s definition for this Greek word is “to breathe, to blow, to cool by blowing, and to be made to grow cool or cold”. This word is used to indicate “waning love”.

                   So here is a word in Matthew 24 that is referenced as associating with the word in Ephesians 2:2 that perhaps can shed a little light on the phrase “prince of the power of the air”.

                   But how would these Greek words and these verses connect with a meaning for these phrases? Well, it connects like this;

                   Satan has power in the spirit world to influence people in this world to “walk in disobedience”. His influence is like a cold wind blowing on these people to cause “the love of many to grow cold”.

                   Of course, as you can see, this description of Satan as “the prince of the power of the air” is figurative in nature and is a poetic description that shows his evil power. And this style of writing about Satan is common in the Scriptures. Look at Ephesians 6:12 NKJV For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

                   Now I think I really should make something clear here. My description of these verses should not be considered as absolute fact. I am considering my explanations as theory only. Frankly, no one seems to have any explanation that we can say is absolutely fact about this and not just theory as well. But if you are like me, anything you read about a complex Scripture has the ability to stimulate your own brain to put together ideas that are of interest to others. Eventually, someone will have a great idea that fully explains the whole thing.

Carl O. Cooper