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Eph 2:2. Κατὰ τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου) Αἰὼν and κόσμος differ;[21] 1Co 2:6; 1Co 2:12; 1Co 3:18-19. The former regulates the latter, and in a manner gives it form: κόσμος is something more external; αἰὼν something more subtle and internal in its character. Time is spoken of not only physically, but also morally, there being included in its signification [in the notion of it] the character of the men who live in it; and so αἰὼν applies to a long series of times, in which one bad age follows another bad age; comp. Act 14:16; 1Pe 1:18.-κατὰ τὸν ἄρχοντα, according to the prince) Thus the fact becomes more expressly represented and realized. All men are sensible of the existence of the world; but they are not aware that this prince lurks beneath it; ch. Eph 6:11-12 : comp. Joh 12:31.-τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέπος, of the power of the air) This power is widely diffused and penetrating: comp. Job 1:15, etc.; but yet it does not reach [it is beneath] the sphere of believers, Eph 2:6; 1Jn 5:18. See Buxt. Dict. Rabb., col. 1495. Even the celestial orbs themselves are various. Christ however is superior to Satan, although the latter also holds himself [keeps a position] in heavenly places; Eph 6:12 [ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις, in the heavenlies, Engl. Vers., in high places].-τοῦ πνεύματος, the spirit) In apposition to τῆς ἐξουσίας, τοῦ πνέυματος. Here the prince himself is not called a spirit: but the spirit in this passage is that internal principle, from which the actions of unbelievers flow, and is opposed to the spirit of the believing sons of God: comp. Luk 4:33.-νῦν, now) in the present day; or rather, [that] now most of all; for he does not say, still, or as yet, but now. Those who despise the Gospel through disbelief, remain the slaves of that spirit, and are more and more captivated by him. Express mention of Satan is principally made in the description of the state of the Gentiles; Act 26:18.-ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς τῆς ἀπειθείας, in the children of disobedience or disbelief) Disobedience, or disbelief, in regard to the Gospel, shows of itself how powerful that spirit is. Akin to this is the phrase, children of wrath, Eph 2:3. Wrath abides upon unbelievers, Joh 3:36.
[21] See note, Eph 6:12. Κόσμος is the world, mundus, in its wide extension; Αἰὼν the age, sœculum, the present world, in its distinguishing character, its course, and the estimate to be formed of it.-ED.