The Rulers of this Age

Paul mentions “the rulers of this age,” but who are they?

Are they evil spirits, sinister aliens, or some other dark force?

Let’s briefly consider the following New Testament references to this mysterious group.

• “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, . . .will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38 NRSV)

Many translations use “demons” here, but that is not the word Paul uses in Greek (archē). He does, however, distinguish rulers from angels and this occurs in a series of contrasts (i.e., death nor life) so many have assumed the opposite of angel is demon.

• “Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Cor. 2:6-8)

The rulers are not benign, omniscient, or immortal. They ignorantly crucified the Lord of glory and they will perish. But are these spiritual rulers or earthly rulers?

• “God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” (Eph. 1:20-21)

Christ reigns far above all rulers.

• You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.” (Eph. 2:1-2)

This singular use could be a reference to Satan.

• “Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 3:8-10).

These rulers are located “in the heavenly places” so they are not earthly rulers. God wants these rulers to know his manifold wisdom and he is using the church to reveal this wisdom to them.

• “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

Since these rulers are associated with dark spiritual forces they are the opponents of God’s people. But we can stand against them with the armor of God.

• “for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16).

The rulers are created entities. They were created in Christ and for Christ. Although they will eventually perish; he is sustaining them temporally.

• “He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15).

While the rulers are powerful, they have been disarmed and conquered by Christ and his cross.

Conclusion

What can we conclude from these verses?

First, no author of Scripture clearly gives the identity of these rulers. No one says, “the rulers are evil spirits.”

Second, we know the following details. The rulers are:

• linked to “authorities” or “powers”
• connected to dark spiritual forces
• located “in the heavenly places”
• responsible for crucifying the Lord of glory
• the opponents of God’s people
• created by Christ and for Christ
• defeated by Christ and his cross
• unable to separate us from God’s love

Les Bridgeman

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.