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  • Ephesians 2:2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
    • 2 in which you at one time walked according to the system of things* of this world,+ according to the ruler of the authority of the air,+ the spirit+ that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

  • Ephesians 2:2
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
    • 2 ἐν in αἷς which ποτὲ sometime περιεπατήσατε YOU walked κατὰ according to τὸν the αἰῶνα age τοῦ of the κόσμου world τούτου, this, κατὰ according to τὸν the ἄρχοντα ruler τῆς of the ἐξουσίας authority τοῦ of the ἀέρος, air, τοῦ of the πνεύματος spirit τοῦ the νῦν now ἐνεργοῦντος operating within ἐν in τοῖς the υἱοῖς sons τῆς of the ἀπειθίας· disobedience;

  • Ephesians 2:2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
    • 2 in which YOU at one time walked according to the system+ of things* of this world,* according to the ruler+ of the authority of the air, the spirit+ that now operates in the sons of disobedience.+

  • Ephesians 2:2
    The Bible in Living English
    • 2 in which you once took your way to suit the times of this world, as suits the ruler of the dominion of air, of the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience;

  • Ephesians 2:2
    American Standard Version
    • 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;

  • Ephesians 2:2
    The Emphasized Bible
    • 2 In which at one time ye walked According to the age of the world, According to the prince of the authority of the air, of the spirit that now energiseth in the sons of disobedience,

  • Ephesians 2:2
    King James Version
    • 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 worketh in the children of disobedience:

  • Ephesians
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1986-2025
    • 2:2 it-2 867, 1055; lv 54; w12 10/15 13; w10 7/15 4; w08 8/15 27; w07 6/1 5-6; w07 6/15 26; km 8/06 4; g00 4/8 11; w99 9/1 9; w96 2/1 25; w94 4/1 15-19; w94 7/1 23; w88 8/1 11-12; w87 9/15 10-20; w87 12/15 30

  • Ephesians
    Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985
    • 2:2 w83 8/15 25-26; w77 313; w76 114; hs 52-53; w74 735; w73 136; w73 177; w72 262, 629-630; dn 26-27; w71 630; ad 1567; w67 57; w66 761-762; w64 47, 416; bf 567-568; w62 729; w61 241, 616; nu 11; w56 109; w44 13, 184; w30 135

  • Ephesians
    Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses—2019 Edition
    • 2:2

      Insight, Volume 2, pp. 867, 1055

      “God’s Love,” pp. 53-54

      The Watchtower,

      10/15/2012, p. 13

      7/15/2010, pp. 3-4

      8/15/2008, p. 27

      6/15/2007, p. 26

      6/1/2007, pp. 5-6

      9/1/1999, p. 9

      2/1/1996, p. 25

      7/1/1994, pp. 23-24

      4/1/1994, pp. 15-19

      8/1/1988, pp. 11-12

      12/15/1987, p. 30

      9/15/1987, pp. 10-20

      Kingdom Ministry,

      8/2006, p. 4

      Awake!,

      4/8/2000, p. 11

  • Ephesians Study Notes—Chapter 2
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
    • 2:2

      the system of things of this world: The Greek word here rendered “system of things” basically means “age.” It often denotes the current state of affairs or features that distinguish a certain period of time. The Greek word for “world” (koʹsmos) here refers to the unrighteous human society alienated from God. In this verse, where these two terms are combined, the whole expression could be rendered “the course [or, “customs; ways”] of this world,” referring to the behavior and standards of people alienated from God. Paul makes the point that the Christians in Ephesus had once led, or walked according to, an unrighteous way of life.

      the ruler of the authority of the air: Satan the Devil is the “ruler” referred to here. Paul uses the literal air, or atmosphere, to illustrate how the spirit, or dominant attitude, of selfishness and disobedience permeates the world today. Paul uses similar language at 1Co 2:12 in referring to “the spirit of the world.” Just as literal air is everywhere, ready to be breathed in, so “the spirit of the world” is always present. It exerts “authority,” or power, over most of mankind. The power of this dominant mental attitude lies in its appeal to the sinful flesh, its subtlety, its relentlessness and, like air, its pervasiveness. Those who are alienated from God and who pursue a course contrary to God’s will are here called “the sons of disobedience.”

      the sons of disobedience: See study note on Ac 4:36.

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