visible authorities, Paul sees invisible higher Powers working.5 The relationship between Christ’s crucifixion and the Powers is treated more fully in Colossians 2, which is perhaps the most helpful in our understanding of their function, especially the verses 8, 14 ff., and 20 ff.: See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human traditions, according to the stoicheia and not according to Christ.… He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public