{According to the course of this world} (kata ton ai(936e)a tou
kosmou toutou). Curious combinations of ai(936e) (a period of
time), kosmos (the world in that period). See 1Co 1:20 for
"this age" and 1Co 3:9 for "this world." {The prince of the
power of the air} ( on archonta t(8873) exousias tou aeros). A(8872)
was used by the ancients for the lower and denser atmosphere and
aith(8872) for the higher and rarer. Satan is here pictured as
ruler of the demons and other agencies of evil. Jesus called him
"the prince of this world" (ho arch(936e) tou kosmou toutou, Joh
16:11 ). {That now worketh} ( ou nun energountos). Those who
deny the existence of a personal devil cannot successfully deny
the vicious tendencies, the crime waves, in modern men. The power
of the devil in the lives of men does explain the evil at work
"in the sons of disobedience" (en tois huiois t(8873) apethias). In
5:6 also. A Hebrew idiom found in the papyri like "sons of
light" ( 1Th 5:5 ).
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