For the wrestling of Jacob with 'a man' see JACOB. The conflict of the Christian is compared to wrestling: it is not with flesh and blood, but is against principalities, powers, and the rulers of the darkness of this age; against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. For this the whole armour of God is needed. All this phalanx of evil is against Christians, first to prevent them from keeping the place that God has given to them in grace, and then from fighting the Lord's battles in the absence of the Lord Himself, both in the spread of the gospel in its heavenly character, the maintenance of the truth connected with a glorified Christ, and the perfecting of His saints. Ephesians 6:11,12 .