What are principalities and powers?
Principalities and Powers: A Biblical and Theological Examination
The phrase “principalities and powers” (Greek: archai kai exousiai) occurs six times in the New King James Version and refers to various levels of authority, often in the context of spiritual warfare. This terminology denotes ranks or classes of spiritual beings, typically demonic, who operate in opposition to God and His people. A biblical understanding of this phrase must be rooted in the whole counsel of Scripture and interpreted through the lens of God’s sovereignty, Christ’s victory, and the believer’s secure position in Christ.
1. Victory Over Principalities: Romans 8:37–39
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Romans 8:37–39 (NKJV)
Here, Paul assures believers that nothing in the created order, including spiritual rulers of darkness, can separate us from the covenant love of God in Christ. This passage, rather than focusing on categorizing these powers, emphasizes the believer’s eternal security. Even the greatest demonic forces are subject to the limits God has set and cannot overcome God’s elect.
2. Created by Christ: Colossians 1:16
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."
—Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)
This passage affirms that even the hostile spiritual powers were originally created by and for Christ, highlighting His preeminence and sovereignty. While these beings may now be in rebellion, their very existence and continued operation are contingent upon the sovereign will of God. It reinforces that no created authority exists apart from the permission and decree of God (see also Daniel 4:35 and Isaiah 46:10–11).
3. Christ’s Triumph: Colossians 2:15
"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."
—Colossians 2:15 (NKJV)
At the cross, Jesus not only atoned for sin but also disarmed the spiritual powers of darkness, stripping them of their right to accuse or hold dominion over believers. The term “disarmed” (apekdusamenos) in Greek implies a complete stripping away of weapons and authority. The imagery is of a Roman triumph, in which vanquished enemies are paraded in humiliation. The legal debt (Colossians 2:14) that gave Satan a foothold has been canceled by the blood of Christ. This is a definitive victory.
4. A Display to the Heavenly Hosts: Ephesians 3:10–11
"To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
—Ephesians 3:10–11 (NKJV)
Paul reveals that God is demonstrating His redemptive wisdom to all spiritual beings, both angelic and fallen, through the church. This declaration of the gospel, evidenced in the unity of Jews and Gentiles in one body, magnifies the manifold (multi-faceted) wisdom of God. The church is not merely a passive audience but an active theater through which God’s eternal plan is displayed to the spiritual realm.
5. The Battlefield: Ephesians 6:12
"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."
—Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
This well-known verse teaches that the Christian life involves spiritual warfare against a real, organized, and intelligent hierarchy of evil. The word “wrestle” implies close, personal conflict, and the structure of Paul’s language reflects an order of command within Satan’s army. Yet the believer is not left unarmed—we are exhorted to take up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–18), which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Victory comes not by shouting at demons, but by standing firm in the truth of God’s Word.
6. Earthly Authorities: Titus 3:1
"Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work."
—Titus 3:1 (NKJV)
This final occurrence of the phrase refers to civil authorities. Here, “principalities and powers” (or “rulers and authorities”) are governing officials ordained by God for societal order (cf. Romans 13:1–2). Christians are to submit to these authorities unless they command what God forbids or forbid what God commands (Acts 5:29). Even in a fallen world, earthly rulers serve a divine purpose.
Conclusion:
The phrase “principalities and powers” encompasses both demonic powers and human authorities, depending on the context. As Baptist theology affirms:
God is absolutely sovereign over all powers, including the demonic realm.
Christ has already triumphed over these principalities through the cross.
Believers are secured in Christ and are to engage in spiritual warfare not by binding or exorcising, but by putting on the full armor of God and standing firm.
The Church testifies to God’s glory even before spiritual rulers.
Submission to earthly authority is part of our Christian witness—unless doing so would violate the Lord's commands.
These truths call us to worship, to vigilance, and to trust in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, who reigns supreme over all things, visible and invisible (Colossians 1:18).
