In biblical terminology, the term "principality" refers to a rank or order of spiritual beings, often associated with angelic or demonic forces. The concept of principalities is primarily derived from the New Testament, where it is used to describe spiritual powers and authorities that exist in the heavenly realms. The term is most notably found in the writings of the Apostle Paul, who provides insight into the spiritual hierarchy and the cosmic struggle between good and evil.

Biblical References

1. Ephesians 6:12 · In this passage, Paul emphasizes the spiritual nature of the Christian's battle: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Here, "rulers" and "authorities" are often understood to include principalities, indicating their role in the spiritual warfare that believers face.

2. Colossians 1:16 · Paul writes about the supremacy of Christ over all creation: "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him." This verse suggests that principalities, as part of the created order, are subject to Christ's authority.

3. Romans 8:38-39 · In a passage that speaks to the inseparable love of God, Paul declares, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers... will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here, principalities are listed among the forces that cannot sever the believer's relationship with God.

4. Colossians 2:15 · Paul describes Christ's victory over spiritual powers: "And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." This verse highlights the defeat of principalities through the redemptive work of Jesus, underscoring their subjugation to His power.

Theological Significance

In Christian theology, principalities are often understood as part of the angelic hierarchy, which includes various ranks such as angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, and powers. Principalities are considered to be higher-ranking spiritual beings that have authority over certain realms or aspects of the created order. They are sometimes associated with specific nations or regions, influencing the spiritual climate and events within those areas.

From a conservative Christian perspective, principalities are seen as real and active forces in the spiritual realm. They are part of the cosmic battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Believers are called to be aware of these spiritual realities and to engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Implications

Understanding the role of principalities in the spiritual realm encourages Christians to recognize the importance of spiritual discernment and vigilance. It reminds believers that their true adversaries are not human opponents but spiritual entities that seek to oppose God's purposes. The assurance of Christ's victory over these powers provides confidence and hope, empowering Christians to stand firm in their faith and to live out their calling with boldness and conviction.1. (n.) A territory ruled by a prince or sovereignty; hence, superiority; predominance; high, or the highest, station.

2. (n.) A prince; one invested with sovereignty.

3. (n.) The territory or jurisdiction of a prince; or the country which gives title to a prince; as, the principality of Wales.

PRINCIPALITY

prin-si-pal'-i-ti: In the Old Testament the word occurs but once (Jeremiah 13:18, "your principalities shall come down"). Here the King James Version margin "head tires" is properly preferred by the Revised Version (British and American) for mera'ashoth (from ro'sh, "head"), "head-parts."

In the New Testament "principality" occurs for arche, "rule," generally in the plural, referring

(a) to men in authority (Titus 3:1, "Put them in mind to be subject (the King James Version; "in subjection," the Revised Version (British and American)) to principalities (the King James Version; "rulers," the Revised Version (British and American)), and powers" (the King James Version; "to authorities," the Revised Version (British and American));

(b) to superhuman agencies, angelic or demonic (Romans 8:38 Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12 Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:10, 15). Paul was keenly sensible of the dualism of mind and body and of the law in his members warring against the law of his mind (Romans 7:23), and of the temporary victory of the evil, residing in the flesh, over the good of the spirit (Romans 7:14).

This dualism was objectified in Zoroastrianism, and among the Babylonians the several heavenly bodies were regarded as ruled by spirits, some good, some evil. The same belief, appropriated by the Jews during the captivity, appears also in Greek thought, as e.g. in Plato and later in the Stoics. The higher spheres, which hold the even tenor of their way, were in general regarded as ruled by good spirits; but in the sublunar sphere, to which the earth belongs, ill-regulated motions prevail, which must be due to evil spirits. The perversities of human conduct, in particular, thwarting, as was thought, the simple, intelligible divine plan, were held to be subject to rebellious powers offering defiance to God. While Paul clearly recognized a hierarchy of such powers (Colossians 1:16, "thrones or dominions or principalities or powers"), it is not certain that he had elaborated a system of eons to serve the purposes of metaphysical theology and ethics, such as appears among the Gnostics, although they evidently believed they were developing his thought. In 1 Corinthians 2:6 he repudiates the wisdom of this world (aion) and of the rulers of this world aion), and declares (Ephesians 6:12) that the Christian has to contend with "the world-rulers of this darkness," and proclaims the triumph of Christ over "the principalities and the powers" in the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 2:15). The same personification of such agencies or powers appears also in another passage, where the rendering of English Versions of the Bible obscures it (Ephesians 1:20, 21 "when he raised him (Christ) from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all (read "every") rule (Revised Version; "principality," the King James Version), and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world (aion), but also in that which is to come"). Not the least interesting passage is Ephesians 3:10, where the church is said to be the means of revealing to "the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places" "the manifold wisdom of God." One naturally inquires what was the purpose of this revelation. Was it to effect a redemption and reconciliation of these demonic powers to God? To this question Paul supplies no answer.

See ANGEL; SATAN.

William Arthur Heidel

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... rulers (6). magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. From archomai;
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

9. Abilene -- Abilene, territory northwest of Damascus
... Spelling: (ab-ee-lay-nay') Short Definition: Abilene Definition: the Abilenian
territory, the territory of Abila (in Syria), a small principality in the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/9.htm - 6k

4761. marashah -- principality
... 4760, 4761. marashah. 4762 . principality. Transliteration: marashah Phonetic
Spelling: (mar-aw-shaw') Short Definition: principality. ... principality ...
/hebrew/4761.htm - 5k

Whether all the Angels are of one Hierarchy?
... xii, Did. xi, 10; Polit. iii, 4). Therefore as a hierarchy is nothing but a sacred
principality, it seems that all the angels belong to one hierarchy. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the angels are.htm

Volume ii. , Part C. The First Theban Empire
... The principality of Heracleopolis: Achthoes-Khiti and the Heracleopolitan
dynasties"Supremacy of the great barons: the feudal fortresses, El-Kab and Abydos ...
/.../volume ii part c the.htm

But I Beg You to Listen Patiently as I Follow Him in his Continual ...
... On the passage in which the words occur: "Far above all Principality and Power and
Might and Dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but in ...
/.../35 but i beg you.htm

The Higher Powers are Men; and Christ is their Light Also.
... "Throne" is not a species of living being, nor "dominion," nor "principality," nor
"power"; these are names of the businesses to which those clothed with the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/17 the higher powers are.htm

January 16 Morning
... things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father."Far above all principality, and power ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/january 16 morning.htm

Whether There are Several Orders in one Hierarchy?
... On the contrary, The Apostle says (Eph.1:20,21) that "God has set the Man Christ
above all principality and power, and virtue, and dominion": which are the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are several orders.htm

Whether Christ is the Head of the Angels?
... On the contrary, The Apostle says (Col.2:10), "Who is the head of all Principality
and Power," and the same reason holds good with the other orders of angels. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ is the head 4.htm

How Herod Sent his Sons to Rome; How Also He was Accused by ...
... 2. Hereupon Zenodorus was grieved, in the first place, because his principality
was taken away from him; and still more so, because he envied Herod, who had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how herod sent.htm

How Alexander Honored Jonathan after an Extraordinary Manner; and ...
... and desired his daughter in marriage; and said it was but just that he should be
joined an affinity to one that had now received the principality of his ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how alexander honored.htm

The Jews Become Confederates with Caesar when He Fought against ...
... taken off by poison, and his brother was beheaded by Scipio, and desired that he
would take pity of him who had been ejected out of that principality which was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 the jews become.htm

Principality (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The territory or jurisdiction of a prince; or the country which gives title
to a prince; as, the principality of Wales. Int. ...PRINCIPALITY. ...
/p/principality.htm - 12k

Principalities (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Principality. Multi-Version
Concordance Principalities (7 Occurrences). Romans 8:38 For ...
/p/principalities.htm - 8k

Principle (32 Occurrences)

/p/principle.htm - 16k

Lordship (12 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship,
and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one; (YLT ...
/l/lordship.htm - 10k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount
Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias (2 Samuel 15:8; 1 Chronicles 2:23). ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Fulness (76 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY ASV DBY YLT RSV). Colossians 2:10 and ye are in him made full, who
is the head of all principality and authority, (See RSV). ...
/f/fulness.htm - 30k

Tetrarch (5 Occurrences)
... Thus Philip of Macedon divided Thessaly into four "tetrarchies." Later on the Romans
adopted the term and applied it to any ruler of a small principality. ...
/t/tetrarch.htm - 9k

Arioch (6 Occurrences)
... Besides Larsa, Eri-Aku's inscriptions inform us that Ur (Muqayyar, Mugheir)
was in the principality of which Larsa was the capital. ...
/a/arioch.htm - 10k

Hadadezer (18 Occurrences)
... The exact position and size of this Syrian principality are uncertain, but it seems
to have extended in David's time southward toward Ammon and eastward to the ...
/h/hadadezer.htm - 15k

Palestine (1 Occurrence)
... Recent exploration has shown the territory on the west of Jordan alone to be six
thousand square miles in extent, the size of the principality of Wales. Int. ...
/p/palestine.htm - 89k

Why does Scripture emphasize the right hand of God? | GotQuestions.org

Principality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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