Word Study
Since the passage that I have chosen to focus on for these assignments is Ephesians 2:1-
10, I have chosen to utilize the word “ἄρχοντα” for this word study. This word can be seen when
analyzing the content in Ephesians 2:2. After looking at the Greek-English Interlinear New
Testament this is the meaning of a noun, which can also be described as a non-pronoun. The
gender here is considered masculine and the case is known as accusative. In this passage, the
word is being utilized in the singular person.1 The New American Standard Bible defines
“ἄρχοντα” as our modern-day English word for “prince”. When analyzing the pages of the New
Testament Bible, this specific word was utilized about 37 different times, yet the word is
translated just one time. The NASB provides translations of the word “ἄρχοντα” 16 different
times and describes this as the word “rulers”. The NASB also lists “Ruler” about 14 times,
“official” twice, and we can see words like “leader”, “prince”, “magistrate”, and “official” only
used once. The transliteration for “ἄρχοντα” is “archon”, which is described as an individual in
high rank or power.
The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis states that
“ἀρχή” is a noun and that it helps us identify the beginning or the cause of something, while the
verb “ἀρχω” illuminates the beginning of a time to rule.2 Moisés Silva states that It’s both
interesting and important to note that the Septuagint utilizes “ἀρχω” about 110 different times
while the noun “ἀρχή”, which is also a derivative noun, is utilized 240 different times. The verb
version of this phrase is utilized 50 different times and is translated into the word “חלל”. This is
1 J. D. Douglas, ed., Greek-English Interlinear New Testament, Translated by Robert K. Brown
and Philip W. Comfort, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990)
2 Moisés Silva, New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis, (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2014)
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the Hebrew way of saying “to begin”. The noun version of this word is used close to 60 times
and is translated into the word ”אשֹׁר”, which is described as the “head” or “leader”.
The NIDNTTE speaks on this relationship in the form of verb to noun by writing,
“Fearing the Lord is described as ρχ σοφίας, “the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10 [110:10], for
ראשׁיתחכמה). It’s obvious to see that when it comes to reverence for God, fear is not just the
starting quality that leads to wisdom, but it is also a necessary aspect of wisdom in general that
will influence the entire process from beginning to the end. The NASB has begun to utilize the
word “rulers” or “to rule”. All this information leads me to the question of how the word
“prince” ended up being focused on for this translation. To dive deeper, in Ephesians 2:2 we can
read, “in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience”.
Through out our current time and history the word “air” or “ἀέρος” was utilized to describe the
area that is between both Heaven and Earth. This area is also the area in which many believe that
demons and spirits can pass, influence, or function. This reference to a prince is used to give
recognition to Satan because he is the most influential being behind the Holy Trinity. Satan has
temporary power to rule this area, yet the title for King is only reserved and held for God.
Therefore, the word “prince” is an appropriate translation when looking at the words “ἄρχοντα”
and “ἀέρος” and combing them together.
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Bibliography
Douglas, J. D., ed.Greek-English Interlinear New Testament. Translated by Robert
K.Brown and Philip W. Comfort. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990.
Silva, Moisés.New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology andExegesis.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.
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