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Ephesians 6 describes a struggle against spiritual powers rather than flesh and blood. Exegesis on the Soul, a Nag Hammadi text, quotes this passage to give a spiritual reading of Paul’s warning against associating with prostitutes.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Ephesians 6:12
New Testament
10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.
Exegesis on the Soul 2:27
Nag Hammadi
Nevertheless, the most difficult [challenge] pertains to the prostitution of the soul. From it originates also bodily prostitution. Therefore Paul, writing to the Corinthians, said, “I wrote you in the letter, ‘Do not associate with prostitutes,’ not at all (referring to) the prostitutes of this world or the greedy or robbers or idolaters, because then you would need to leave the world.” ‒ (1 Corinthians 5:9-10) In this case he is speaking spiritually, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,” as he said, “but against the world rulers of this darkness and the spirits of wickedness.” ‒ (Ephesians 6:12) For as long as the soul continues running around everywhere, having sex with everyone she meets and sullying herself, she suffers what she deserves.
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Notes and References
“... Scripture is first employed, interrupting the narrative at the soul‘s prayer of penitence and petition, in a lengthy exegetical composition entitled ―On the prostitution of the soul‖ (129,5–131,13: the image of the unfaithful wife from Jeremiah 3, Hosea 2, and Ezekiel 16 is applied by the Holy Spirit to the prostitution of the soul and interpreted as the soul‘s defilement by ―the domain of the flesh and the perceptible realm and the affairs of the earth‖; Paul‘s command not to associate with prostitutes [1 Corinthians 5,9] is taken as a summons to struggle against evil spiritual powers). ...”
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