Palē is an unusual word. It is used only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 6:12. From other Greek sources we know it deals with wrestling, struggling, and conflict. I feel it needs to be noted that this “wrestling” is the reason for the “armor of God”. This word embodies Paul’s life starting in Damascus until it ends in Rome. The Book of Acts highlights some of Paul’s conflicts, but his epistles add more of his personal battles and concerns for the Gentile Churches. I have a feeling Paul and Luke did not ink the “whole story” of Paul’s ministry, but the glimpses they give show a serious battle and not a mere wrestling match. Strong’s Greek: 3823. πάλη (palé) — Struggle, wrestling, conflict
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Ephesians 6:12 Greek Text Analysis Strong’s Greek: 2888. κοσμοκράτωρ (kosmokratór) — World ruler, ruler of this world
Was Paul using a twist on words to get a point across to his readers? I think so; you did not get dressed in full battle armor for a wrestling match.
Just as evil attacked Jesus, the same evil went after the Church. The threats and conflict were real and still are as we carry out the Great Commission. Topics and methods have varied through the centuries, but those rulers hate our righteous God, and us, and want to steal, kill, and destroy His world and His people.
Luke wrote “an account” for Theophilus about Jesus and the beginning of the Church. As I have read Acts and Paul’s letters it seems fair to say these were not encyclopedic. Even joining them together does not give us a “perfect” picture of Paul’s travels and works and precious little of what the Twelve were doing. Yes, I would love to have the “whole” story, but I believe the Holy Spirit knew that we could not handle all of it. With that said, I will open the door to these struggles knowing I will not cover them all. (Foxes Book of Martyrs may be a good resource.)
History, tradition, and man wanting to “help and box” God was the first level of attack. Zealous people who did not want Jesus also added to the pale. Natural and supernatural things were problems for Paul and the Church. The center of Paul’s struggle, however, is Jesus, His Cross, His Resurrection, and the Mystery that the Father wanted non-Jews in His Family. In the circle of believers, strong theological feelings developed on circumcision and observing the Law as early as Acts 10 with Peter’s vision and visit.
Some context here seems important; Jesus knew and told His disciples about His and their trials and suffering (Matthew 10:38, 16:21-24). Jesus had Ananias tell Saul/Paul what lay in front him – Acts 9:16. The Greek word pathein (suffering) comes from the root word paschō, Strong’s number: G3958. That form of the word is associated with Jesus on the Cross. Sorry, that topic is not mentioned very often now-a-days, but Christians around the world are suffering! Yes, in America we are losing our freedoms.
Two things started for Saul, the Pharisee, in Acts 9:5; 1. His Messiah became real and personal to him, 2. The enemy of his soul took notice, feared, and started to work against him. When you chose Jesus and made Him Lord, those two things also started in your life. Jesus’s gift and calling for Paul was to be for us (Gentiles) a witness, testifier, and teacher to the new life he was given.
Every time Paul called or said Lord Jesus, Jesus Christ (Man-God), Christ Jesus (God-Man), and many other titles of respect; he made the Jews of his time furious and broke Roman law. Isn’t it a shame the world disrespects our Savior and God by misusing His name and titles. For Paul, his use of these names and titles were the foundation of the attacks against him.
- The Cross
Jesus told His followers in Matthew 10:38 and 16:24 to take up their crosses and follow Him. The listeners were not thinking of a nice necklace.
The Deniers in Matthew 27:40 knew and saw the works of God Jesus had done. They thought Rome and a piece of wood would let them keep the Temple, tithes, and titles.
The Twelve proclaimed Jesus’ death on the cross (a curse) and his resurrection (a blessing) in Acts 5:30 and 10:39.
Paul recognized the Cross of Jesus as many things. This knowledge and preaching led to Paul’s wrestling and suffering.
1. A tool of reconciliation, Ephesians 2:16 and Colossians 1:20.
2. Foolishness and a stumbling block, Galatians 5:11 and 1 Corinthians 1:18.
3. Enemy Maker, Philippians 3:18 and Galatians 6:12.
The Cross | Mark’s Bible Study
- The Resurrection – This event is serious bad news for the kosmokratór and his close friend Death. The evil one (ponērou) saw this threat to his plans and started deflections as soon as he could. Deniers vehemently claim that the Bible is just copying myth and legend of the societies around them. Many ancient cults have “someone” dying and coming back to life. The Greeks and Northern Europe have several gods who do this. Allow me to flip that coin and stand it on its edge; the ponērou pushed that lie to neutralize the coming victory of Jesus on the cross. The evil one understood the symbolism of Noah and the Flood very well.
I do not know or understand why the Sadducees rejected the idea of resurrection. Besides the Flood narrative they had Issac and their exodus from Egypt through the Red Sea. The kosmokratór was obviously at work to destroy hope and keep all eyes on the works of man (Herod’s Temple) to save them.
Greek Concordance: πονηροῦ (ponērou) — 13 Occurrences These thirteen are masculine singular forms of G4190 and are found in Eph 6:16 and Matthew 5:37 and 6:13.
Verses and ideas on the Resurrection (I suggest a word search tool): Jesus – Matthew 16:21 Jesus told them and added the three days. Peter – 1 Peter 1:3 a new birth and living hope. Power – Acts 4:33, Romans 1:4, and Philippians 3:10. Attacks – 1 Corinthians 15:12 and 2 Timothy 2:18. Other verses – Acts 5:30, 10:39, 17:18, 23:6, 24:15, and 24:21.
Old Testament references might be found in verses with ransom and redeem. Use Hosea 13:14 as a reference.
- Circumcision was the physical sign of the Lord’s Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). Later it was included in the Law as a requirement of a male to be an Israelite. Under Roman rule if you were a Jew (circumcised) you did not sacrifice to Creaser. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (a region in Turkey) has much to say about this topic, see 2:12; 5:11, 12; and 6:12. Paul had much to say about those who demanded Gentiles be circumcised: 1 Corinthians 7:19, Titus 1:10, and Philippians 3:2. Paul’s view for the Gentiles is found in Colossians 2:11; a circumcision done without hands.
- The Law is and was important, the Father wrote it. Acts 13:39 says it well – Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (NIV) Paul, being a Jew, honored the Law of Moses. A few verses to considered: Acts 21:24 and 28; and 23:29.
- Natural – In 2 Corinthians 11:26 -33 Paul gives a glimpse at his palē. I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. (NIV)
- Supernatural – Demons knew Paul, so not to over spiritualize everything, I will note Acts 16:16. A female slave had a spirit that predicted the future and was being a thorn to Paul. This is like the times Jesus would not let the demons announce who He was. He did not need the testimony of devils.
Paul warned the Church about their palē from false brothers and teachings. They had been growing even before the Apostle John died. I will mention this one that attacked who Jesus was, it is called Arianism. This teaching is called Christian, but it is not, and it spread very quickly among the intelligent and learned of the day. The Visigoths of northern Europe especially were attracted to this teaching. If they sound familiar it is because they attacked and sacked the Western Rome Empire. I consider this a holy war.
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