The Cosmic Powers in Paul’s Theology

This thesis deals with neither the meaning of the terms nor with the exegesis of the passages in which these terms are found. Nor shall we attempt to re-interpret or relate what Paul said about "cosmic powers" to the modern thought-forms. The purpose of this work is rather to examine, first of all, the terms employed by Paul to describe the forces of evil in the light of his own Jewish background. We shall not be concerned so much with the question: What does Paul mean? as with the query: Where did Paul get the terms and ideas for what he describes? Are the language, notions, conceptualizations and beliefs found in Paul's epistles unique to St. Paul; or do they reflect reminiscences of Jewish literature and thought? Was the whole question of the forces of darkness real in Paul's mind? Was Paul alone in his understanding of the powers of evil, or can we find the same phenomena mentioned also by other New Testament writers? These and related questions will be dealt with in this work.