Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: dia pases proseuches kai deeseos proseuchomenoi (PMPMPN) en panti kairo en pneumati, kai eis auto agrupnountes (PAPMPN) en pass proskarteresei kai deesei peri panton ton hagion,
Amplified: Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT: Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ's men and women. (Phillips: Touchstone)
Wuest: through the instrumentality of every prayer and supplication for need, praying at every season by means of the Spirit, and maintaining a constant alertness in the same with every kind of unremitting care and supplication for all the saints, (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
OTHER RESOURCES VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON EPHESIANS 6:10-18...
EPHESIANS 6:10-18 BY WAYNE BARBER
VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON THE FALLEN FLESH VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON RESISTING THE ROARING LION VERSE BY VERSE EXPOSITION ON THE BATTLE IN OUR MIND MISCELLANEOUS
THE METAPHOR OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER
THE AMALEKITES: A PICTURE OF PERSISTENT SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITH ALL PRAYER AND PETITION PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT: dia pases proseuches kai deeseos proseuchomenoi (PMPMPN) en panti kairo en pneumati:
Note repetition of "all" in this passage! Christian, seek not yet repose, Principalities and power, Watch as if on that alone A reminder -- Remember, beloved of God, this last aspect of our "attire" for spiritual war is still in the context of Paul's instruction in Eph 5:18-note where he commands us to be continually filled with or controlled by the Holy Spirit. Holy War cannot be carried out in our unholy strength but only in His Holy Spirit! Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can stand against supernatural powers in your natural strength! You are already defeated (or soon will feel that way) if that is the way you are thinking you can stand against our unseen foe! Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Not only is the "right Man on our side, but His righteous Gift is IN us (the Spirit of Christ - Ro 8:9-note, 1Cor 3:16) to give us the necessary desire and all sufficient power to fight the good fight of faith for His glory! (cf fourth stanza of A Mighty Fortress - "The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth") And of course we carry the "Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Eph 6:17-note) (cf third stanza of A Mighty Fortress - "One little word shall fell him.") Paul had earlier encouraged the Ephesian saints with the fact that he did not cease...
Paul had exhorted the saints at Rome to be...
Paul literally commanded the saints at Philippi to...
He gave a similar command to the saints at Colossae...
And to the saints at Thessalonica Paul gave the well known command to...
With all prayer and petition - This passage serves as a further and final explanation of the manner in which the command to "Stand firm therefore" (aorist imperative) in Ep 6:14-note is to be accomplished in full. Prayer in the Spirit and spiritual warfare go hand in hand. In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan refers to one of Christian’s weapons as all prayer, which, when everything else failed, would enable him to defeat the fiends in the valley of the shadow. MacArthur explains prayer writing that...
Blaikie writes that...
Expositor's Greek Testament writes that...
E. M. BOUNDS - What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men—men of prayer. A C Gaebelein - Praying always. We do not detach this from the armor of God. It belongs to it. Prayer always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, is next to the sword of the Spirit the most powerful weapon against the devil and his wicked hosts. We must read the Word and pray. Prayer and the Word cannot be separated. The searching of the Word must be done with prayer and prayer will be effectual through knowing the Word. Prayer is dependence on God; we lean on Him. And as we pray in the Spirit (not for the Spirit) we are to watch also and remember all the saints of God, the blessed members of the body of Christ, the masterpiece of God. (Annotated Bible - Commentary on Ephesians) H A Kent - The believer must keep in constant communication with his Commander in every season of conflict. Only in this way is he enabled to follow the leading of his Master closely. (Kent, H. A. 1971. Ephesians: The glory of the church Page 119. Chicago, IL: Moody Press) PRAYER: John Piper - Prayer is a war-time walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom. “I chose you and appointed you,” Jesus said, “that you should go and bear fruit . . . so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16). I give you a mission so that your prayers will be fruitful. Prayer is for mission. It is mainly for those on the front lines of the war effort to call in to headquarters to send help. One of the reasons our prayer malfunction is that we try to treat it like a domestic intercom for calling the butler for another pillow in the den rather than treating it like a wartime walkie-talkie for calling down the power of the Holy Spirit in the battle for souls.(Missions Exists Because Worship Doesn't) Prayer (4335) (proseuche from pros = toward or immediately before + euchomai = to pray or vow) is the more general word for prayer and is used only of prayer to God. The prefix "pros" would convey the sense of being immediately before Him and hence the ideas of adoration, devotion, and worship. The basic idea is to bring something, and in prayer this pertains to bringing up prayer requests. In early Greek culture an offering was brought with a prayer that it be accepted. Later the idea was changed slightly, so that the thing brought to God was a prayer. In later Greek, prayers appealed to God for His presence. If you have any long-standing problems, Lawrence Richards explains that proseuche (and the verb form proseuchomai) - "In classical Greek was the technical term for calling on a deity. The NT transforms the classical stiffness into the warmth of genuine conversation. Such entreaty in the NT is addressed to God or Jesus and typically is both personal and specific." (Expository Dictionary) G G Findlay - Prayer (proseuche) is the universal word for reverent address to God; and "supplication" (petition - deesis) the entreaty for such help as "on every occasion" - at each turn of the battle, in each emergency of life -- we find ourselves in need. And Christian prayer is always "in the Spirit," -- being offered in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, Who is the element of the believer's life in Christ, Who helps our infirmities and, virtually, intercedes for us (Ro 8:26-27-note)" (The Epistle to the Ephesians) Petition (1162) (deesis [word study] from deomai = to want, to beg, to pray) refers to making known of one's specific needs, even conveying a sense of an urgent request to meet that need. Deesis is used in the NT for prayer for particular benefits and gives prominence to one's personal needs. Deesis emphasizes the fact that the suppliant is in need of the thing ask for. Webster says that to supplicate (from Latin supplic-, supplex = entreating for mercy) means to make humble entreaty. Barnes comments that...
At all times - "In every season", at "every opportunity". When God's Spirit reveals to us an opportunity for prayer, we need to seize the moment, choosing to pray and thus redeeming the time (cf note Ephesians 5:16). "Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Jesus urged His disciples to pray at all times...
Warren Wiersbe gives a wonderful depiction of praying in the Spirit in the pattern of the Old Testament Tabernacle - In the Old Testament tabernacle, there was a small golden altar standing before the veil, and here the priest burned the incense (Ex. 30:1–10; Luke 1:1–11). The incense is a picture of prayer. It had to be mixed according to God’s plan and could not be counterfeited by man. The fire on the altar is a picture of the Holy Spirit, for it is He who takes our prayers and “ignites” them in the will of God. It is possible to pray fervently in the flesh and never get through to God. It is also possible to pray quietly in the Spirit and see God’s hand do great things.(Bible Exposition Commentary) Times (2540) (kairos [word study]) means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. It means a moment or period as especially appropriate the right, proper, favorable time (at the right time). Kairos speaks of a limited period of time, with the added notion of suitableness ("the suitable time", "the right moment", "the convenient time"). Kairos refers to a distinct, fixed time period, rather than occasional moments. Kairos is not so much a succession of minutes (Greek chronos 5550), but a period of opportunity. Chronos refers to chronological time, to clock time or calendar time, to a general space or succession of time. Kairos, on the other hand, refers to a specific and often predetermined period or moment of time and so views time in terms of events, eras, or seasons. In other words, kairos defines the best time to do something, the moment when circumstances are most suitable, the psychologically "ripe" moment. Kairos is a season, an opportune time, an opportunity ("window of opportunity"). It is a fixed and definite time. It is a period possessed of certain characteristics. For example, a "season" is a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature. Thus the time for bringing forth fruit [karpophoros] is the season (kairos) in which the tree bears fruit, in contrast to late autumn, when there is no more fruit. Kairos does not emphasize a point of time but rather a time space filled with all kinds of possibilities. And so Kairos characteristically means an "opportunity" (and is so translated in some versions -- in Colossians 4: 5 {see note} in the NIV and NASB) which represents the best time to do something, the moment when circumstances are most suitable. Webster's defines "opportunity" as a favorable juncture of circumstances or a good chance for advancement or progress. Study the following verses and see if you can discern the "window of opportunity" aspect in each verse to help give you a "feel" for the meaning of Kairos (Mt 13:30, 21:34, Mk 11:13,13:33, Lk 4:13,19:44, Lk 21:24, Acts 1:7, 17:26, 2Co 6:2, Ga 6:9, Eph 2:12, 2Th 2:6, Rev 1:3). There is no good English equivalent to kairos, and when it it plural with chronos it is translated “seasons,” or times at which certain foreordained events take place. In the Spirit - Barclay "Let the Spirit be the atmosphere in which you pray." The reference is clearly not to our spirit (cf "spirit of the mind" Ep 4:23-note) as if the prayer were initiated by some inward devoutness on our part. Instead Paul calls for spiritual warfare praying (and all praying for that matter) to be in the sphere of influence of the Holy Spirit, which in context would be seen in the one who is filled with or controlled by the Spirit, continually being strengthened by the Spirit, Who enables such prayer to proceed forth and Who Alone truly inspires such heaven sent prayer. If we continually in a state of resisting, grieving, quenching or lying to the Holy Spirit, we should not be surprised that we seldom are stimulated to pray at moments notice. For example, someone may be describing an affliction, trial or some other spiritual attack and feel compelled to offer to pray and petition God on their behalf, whether you're on the sideline of the soccer field, in the hall between services at church, on the telephone, etc. How often do you find yourself led to pray for others when they are clearly describing assaults from the enemy? Be alert like a good soldier of Christ Jesus for those "kairos" opportunities for once they have passed, they cannot be relived. But if you are filled with the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, speaking to others in psalms and hymns, etc, you will be in a sensitive state, and when the Spirit broadcast His "SOS" on the FM Band, you immediately receive because of your spiritually ready and alert state. These kinds of alert prayers are surely some of the contents on the golden altar before the Lord in heaven, John reminding us that one day in the future the following scene will transpire...
John MacArthur explains that..
John Eadie comments that...
AND WITH THIS IN VIEW, BE ON THE ALERT: kai eis auto agrupnountes (PAPMPN): (Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33; 14:38; Luke 21:36; 22:46; Colossians 4:2; 1Peter 4:7) And with this in view - What in view? Read the context to answer. Be on the alert (69) (agrupneo from a = without + hupnos = sleep) is literally without sleep and so to be sleepless or to be awake. To chase sleep away. To pass a sleepless night. To suffer from insomnia. The present tense calls for this to be the believer's lifestyle. Be continually on standby alert as you pray! Keep your spiritual eyes open, for the enemy may assault you at any time! And in truth, the only way we can be continually on spiritual "high alert" is to be continually filled with the Spirit Who energizes that spiritual attitude! Our only adequacy in spiritual matters is Christ's adequacy and He makes us adequate not by keeping this instruction under law but as we are led by the Spirit! No soldier can afford to close his eyes to the enemy. In this regard it is interesting to note that the prayer posture of closing the eyes, bowing the head, and folding the hands is not found in Scripture. In fact the Jews prayed with their eyes open toward heaven and their hands lifted toward God. “Watch and pray” was our Lord’s repeated admonition to his disciples (Mark 13:33, 14:38). Be alert to what the devil is doing or he will attack you while you are praying! Agrupneo means to exercise constant vigilance over something or to be vigilant in awareness of threatening peril (an image drawn from shepherds), be alert, be on the alert, keep watch over something, be on guard. To be vigilant means to alertly watchful especially to avoid danger. The English word vigilant suggest intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness. To be on the lookout for. To be circumspect, attentive, ready (Mk 13:33, Lk 21:36) Agrupneo is the opposite of listlessness and expresses alertness. The idea of agrupneo is to stay awake in order to carry out a task. Vincent commenting on the use of agrupneo in Mk 13:33 writes that the word is
Thayer says that agrupneo...
MacArthur writes that agrupneo...
Josephus uses agrupneo in the description of the slaying of Saul's son...
Agrupneo is us 8 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (2Sa 12:21; Ezra 8:29; Job 21:32; Ps. 102:7; 127:1; Pr 8:34; Song 5:2; Da 9:14). Here is a representative use...
Agrupneo is found four times in the NT...
John Eadie comments that...
WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND PETITION FOR ALL THE SAINTS: en pass proskarteresei kai deesei peri panton ton hagion:
Related Resource - Spurgeon's Gems on Prayer, Discipline Yourself All - Not just a touch of perseverance but "all perseverance" which I submit is something that can only be accomplished as we surrender to the Spirit, allowing Him to fill and control and empower us. Perseverance (4343) (proskarteresis from pros = direction - toward + kartereo = be strong, steadfast, firm) (See also word study of the related verb proskartereo) means to continue to do something with intense effort with the possible implication of doing so despite difficulties. Proskarteresis pictures one's devotion to the task, keeping on it, persisting in it, being earnest towards (pros) it. Proskarteresis describes a steadfast single-minded fidelity (faithfulness) to a certain course of action, in this case prayer for the needs of all the saints (regardless of where they attend church or to which denomination they belong). It describes an obstinate persistence, a keeping on task with devotion, a continuing with intense effort, a steadfast attention toward (in Eph 6:18 toward) praying, a giving of unremitting care toward praying, a continuation all the time in a place, a spirit which does not faint, a constant diligence toward praying, assiduous attention toward praying. The root verb proskartereo is used in Mark 3:9 where Jesus instructs “His disciples to have a boat ready (proskartereo) for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him (in essence not crush Him).” A boat was to be set apart, in a sense devoted for the Master's use, for the purpose of taking Jesus away in case the crowd became threatening. “Devoted” then conveys the idea of dedicated for a task, appointed for it, here in Eph 6:18 devoted to the task of praying for all our brethren (The Global Prayer Digest is a great tool to use to motivate you to pray for unreached people groups, that they might receive Christ and enter into the family as brothers and sisters in Christ) . The root verb proskartereo is also used in Paul's command to the saints at Colossae to...
John MacArthur illustrates perseverance...
Petition (1162) (deesis) (Click word study on deesis) refers to urgent requests or supplications to meet a need and are exclusively addressed to God. Deesis in the New Testament always carries the idea of genuine entreaty and supplication before God. It implies a realization of need and a petition for its supply. Deesis was used by the angel who assured the godly father of John the Baptist,
Luke uses deesis again of the disciples of John the Baptist, who were said to “often fast and offer prayers (deesis)" (Luke 5:33). Deesis was used by Paul of his “prayer for the salvation of his fellow Israelites...
Paul practiced what he preached as is evident from his letter to the saints at Philippi, writing these encouraging words...
Prayer is vital in warfare because it represents communication with "Command Central" so to speak and its absence is a sure means of cutting oneself off from God, and making us vulnerable in warfare. Prayerlessness produces sterility of spiritual perception, a life without holiness, and a witness without power. David Guzik writes that...
Often the world system works like a cooling system. John Wesley once said: “Whatever cools my affection toward Christ is the world.” Prayer is the insulation that protects the soul from being chilled to death. David Jeremiah gives the following illustration...
Adoniram Judson, one of the greatest missionaries ever sent out from American shores, was emphatic in his insistence upon prayer. He said,
Max Lucado has these thoughts on "living in God's presence"...
Praying Hyde was such a man who lived in the presence of God as the following story relates...
Spurgeon writes that...
Saints (40) (hagios) (Click word study on hagios) is literally holy one and refers to one set apart (sanctified) for a special purpose. Hagios describes every saint's position in Christ as set apart from that which is secular, profane, and evil and on the other hand dedicated to worship and service of God. We are holy ones both in character and conduct set apart by God to be exclusively His, dedicated to Him and manifesting holiness of heart and conduct. Hagios was used throughout the NT to speak of anyone or anything that represents God’s holiness: Christ as the Holy One of God, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father, holy Scriptures, holy angels, holy brethren, and so on. The Gentiles understood this term because among the pagans, hagios signified separated and dedicated to the idolatrous gods and carried no idea of moral or spiritual purity. The manmade gods were as sinful and degraded as the men who made them and there simply was no need for a word that represented righteousness! The worshipper of the pagan god acquired the character of that pagan god and the religious ceremonies connected with its worship. The Greek temple at Corinth housed a large number of harlots who were connected with the "worship" of the Greek god. Thus, the set-apartness or holiness of the Greek worshipper was in character licentious, totally depraved, and sinful. John MacArthur has an interesting note writing that...
John Bunyan in The Holy War describes the armor of the devil (Diabolus) as basically the opposite of that of the Christian...
C H Spurgeon
Pulpit Commentary Homilies (The Pulpit Commentaries) -
Ephesians 6:18-20 "Praying always."
Ephesians 6:18 The duty of prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 Prayer
Ephesians 6:18-20 True prayer. The arming and fighting referred to in the previous verses are to be accompanied with praying. Prayer is as necessary as action. The part of Moses on the mount was at least as important as that of Joshua on the plain. Consider the character and object of true prayer. 1. THE CHARACTER OF TRUE PRAYER. 1. Earnestness. What a ring of vehement intensity sounds through the apostle's words! Here is a man who believes in prayer and is greatly anxious to secure it. It would be wonderful if some prayers were answered. When the prayer does not affect the heart of the suppliant how can it touch the heart of God? A half-hearted prayer can bring no blessing from heaven because it is too feeble even to reach heaven. 2. Spirituality. We must pray in the Spirit. Our own thoughts must be spiritual and we must seek the inspiration of God's Spirit to give light and life to our praying (Romans 8:26). 3. Independence of hindering circumstances. "At all seasons." Prayer is always in season. But we are not always inclined to pray. Yet when we least desire to pray prayer is most necessary. 4. Watching, in order that our prayers may be apposite' to the occasion, that we may discern the Divine response, and that we may be roused to renewed earnestness in face of the dangers and needs of the times. 5. Earnest prayer will be persevering prayer. It need be so, for God sometimes delays his reply to test our faith. II. THE OBJECTS OF TRUE PRAYER. 1. On behalf of all saints. We should pray for all mankind, but especially for those who are of the household of the faith. Christian brotherhood should be seen in prayer. Mutual prayer is the greatest bond of union in the Church. 2. For any in trouble. St. Paul, the "ambassador in chains," seeks the prayers of his friends. He in Rome can find comfort from the prayers of Christians in Asia. It would be well if, instead of condemning our brother when he falls before temptation, we would pray for him while he is in it. 3. For the spread of the gospel. St. Paul is not so anxious that prayer should be offered for the alleviation of his harsh imprisonment and for safe deliverance from the hands of his foes, as for grace to be faithful and bold in his declaration of the mystery of the gospel a noble, self-forgetful request. If the Church at home believed more in the efficacy of prayer and practiced it more earnestly, the missionary abroad would be more successful in his work.—W.F.A. (The Pulpit Commentaries) ><> ><> ><> F B Meyer has the following on "Praying at all seasons in the Spirit"
><> ><> ><> Oswald Chambers has a devotional from December 16 entitled "Wrestling before God"...
><> ><> ><> C H Spurgeon has the following devotional from Morning and Evening...
><> ><> ><> Vital intercession - Ephesians 6:18 - Oswald Chambers As we go on in intercession we may find that our obedience to God is going to cost other people more than we thought. The danger then is to begin to intercede in sympathy with those whom God was gradually lifting to a totally different sphere in answer to our prayers. Whenever we step back from identification with God’s interest in others into sympathy with them, the vital connection with God has gone; we have put our sympathy, our consideration for them, in the way, and this is a deliberate rebuke to God. It is impossible to intercede vitally unless we are perfectly sure of God, and the greatest dissipator of our relationship to God is personal sympathy and personal prejudice. Identification is the key to intercession, and whenever we stop being identified with God, it is by sympathy, not by sin. It is not likely that sin will interfere with our relationship to God, but sympathy will, sympathy with ourselves or with others which makes us say—‘I will not allow that thing to happen.’ Instantly we are out of vital connection with God. Intercession leaves you neither time nor inclination to pray for your own ‘sad sweet self.’ The thought of yourself is not kept out, because it is not there to keep out; you are completely and entirely identified with God’s interests in other lives. Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to fault finding. (Chambers, O. My Utmost for His Highest) ><> ><> ><> Confident Prayer - Ephesians 6:18 As one of Africa's first explorers, David Livingstone loved its people and longed to see them evangelized. His journals reveal his spiritual concern and deep faith. In late March 1872, he wrote, "He will keep His word--the gracious One, full of grace and truth--no doubt of it. He said, 'Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out' and 'Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will give it.' He will keep His word; then I can come and humbly present my petition, and it will be all right. Doubt is here inadmissible, surely." Livingstone had rock-like confidence in the Father's promises. In our praying we too can exercise the trust that God will not deny our requests when they are in keeping with His will. (By the way, are we reading His Word so that we know His will?) We can defeat doubt when we remind ourselves that no matter what happens in life, He cares deeply about us and longs to give us the wisdom to handle what comes our way (1Pe 5:7-note; Jas 1:5-note). Our faith will grow stronger as we realize that our heavenly Father is gracious, delighting to give good gifts to His children (Mt. 7:11-note). Humbly but confidently, we can come to Him with our requests. --V C Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Thou art coming to a King, ><> ><> ><> Free Prayer -A pastor was asked to call on a woman in a psychiatric hospital and pray for her. After his visit, he thought how good it would be for somebody to go there regularly and pray for the residents. The "somebody" turned out to be him. On a table in one of the wards, he put up a sign saying "Free Prayer." Later he recalled, "Suddenly I had 15 people standing in line to get prayed for." People often ask for our prayers, but do we faithfully pray for them? Many times we see others in great need but find it easier to discuss their plight with friends rather than to intercede for them. But people need and want our prayers. Paul concluded his call to put on "the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13, 14, 15, 16, 17) by writing, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ep 6:18). Oswald Chambers often referred to prayer as "the ministry of the interior" and said, "There is no snare, or any danger of infatuation or pride in intercession; it is a hidden ministry that brings forth fruit whereby the Father is glorified." Faithful prayer—whether in public or private—is one of the greatest gifts we can give others.—David C. McCasland (Ibid) To give to others what they need, ><> ><> ><> LET'S KEEP PRAYING! - Irina Ratushinskaya's childhood quest for God, even while she was hearing school lectures promoting atheism and mocking Christianity, led her to a deep and unflinching faith. Her poetry expressed that faith and brought inspiration and hope to believers all over Russia. It also brought her to the attention of the KGB. At age 28, Irina was arrested and sentenced to 7 years hard labor in the Bareshevo labor camp. There she was subjected to relentless interrogations, chilling cold, starvation, hard labor, and months of solitary confinement. Irina's faith did not break. During the lonely nights, huddled against the cold wall of her cell, she composed poetry in her head about God. When Irina was finally released, she credited the prayers of believers for sustaining her. In one of her poems, she wrote: Believe me, it was often thus: I wonder, have we been faithful in praying for people who are going through difficult situations? Our prayers can make a difference! - David C. Egner (Ibid) You can expect God to intervene if you're willing to intercede. |
Ephesians 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (NASB: Lockman) |
Greek: kai huper emou, hina moi dothe (3SAPS) logos en anoixei tou stomatos mou, en parrhesia gnorisai (AAN) to musterion tou euaggeliou Amplified: And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: And pray for me, too, that I may be able to speak freely here to make known the secret of that Gospel for which I am, so to speak, (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: and on behalf of me, in order that there might be given me utterance in the opening of my mouth, in every fearless, confident freedom of speaking, to make known the mystery of the good news (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: and in behalf of me, that to me may be given a word in the opening of my mouth, in freedom, to make known the secret of the good news, |
AND PRAY ON MY BEHALF: kai huper emou: (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3; 1Th 5:25; 2Th 3:1; Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 13:18) NOT TOO PROUD Pray is added by translators for continuity but is not in the original Greek. Note that Paul did not ask to be set free from his imprisonment but that his tongue would be "set free," enabled (by the Spirit) to speak freely of the good news! This is the mindset of a man fully armed for spiritual warfare and controlled by the Spirit (Eph 5:18-note). On behalf (5228) (huper) means in behalf of, for the sake of. In other words Paul is asking for intercessory prayer. Do believers (especially pastors, teachers, elders, etc) underestimate our continual need for the prayers of the saints? Lord give us the humility and willingness of Paul to ask others to pray for us, not just for physical needs as is to often the case but for more importantly for spiritual needs. Specifically consider asking other saints to pray Scriptural prayers such as Ephesians 3:14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 (notes), Colossians 1:9, 10, 11, 12 (notes), etc for you and your family members. Remember that those prayers are clearly the will of God for believers and therefore they will be answered according to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for John writes...
What would happen if a pastor called on his church members to begin to intercede for each other church and for his spiritual well being according to the pattern of the Pauline prayers? And what if he called on them (under grace) to intercede in this manner not just for a week or a month, but year round as the Spirit leads. I think God's Spirit would move in families, in marriages, in teenagers, in individuals, in the pastoral staff, etc, in a way that can only be described as supernatural so that only God receives the glory? If you are a pastor reading these notes, I challenge you to "test" God with a year long vigil of Pauline prayers by all the true believers in your flock. If you do it, please email me so that I can post the testimonies of God's response to such an interceding local body of Christ. And there will be testimonies to praise of the glory of His grace. Of that you can be certain! We have not because we ask not! Ask and ye shall receive, exceeding, abundantly more than you can even imagine according to His power which begins to energize individual lives and the body of Christ, as you seek through prayer to be diligent to guard the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace! THAT UTTERANCE MAY BE GIVEN TO ME IN THE OPENING OF MY MOUTH: hina moi dothe (3SAPS) logos en anoixei tou stomatos mou: (Acts 2:4; 1Corinthians 1:5; 2Corinthians 8:7) That (hina) introduces the purpose for which Paul requests prayer from the saints. The idea behind utterance is clear speaking. Added to boldness, Paul asks for prayer that he might proclaim the gospel both clearly and with a fearless power. It is easy to neglect one or the other. Application: Whenever you encounter a "that" (hina), pause and ponder the text. Ask what purpose? What is the preceding context? Why? Who? etc. You will be surprised at how this simple technique begins to become an integral part of your "read through the Bible in a year program," etc. Be on the alert for similar words which will help you (with the Spirit's illuminating teaching) unlock the truths of a given passage, paragraph or chapter (See terms of conclusion, terms of explanation, terms of contrast, expressions of time, terms of comparison// simile//metaphor ). Utterance (3056) (logos) is a general term for speaking, but always used for speaking with rational content. Lógos is a word uttered by the human voice which embodies an underlying concept or idea. When one has spoken the sum total of their thoughts concerning something, they have given to their hearer a total concept of that thing. Thus the word lógos conveys the idea of “a total concept” of anything. Lógos means the word or outward form by which the inward thought is expressed and made known. It can also refer to the inward thought or reason itself. Note then that lógos does not refer merely to a part of speech but to a concept or idea. In other words, in classical Greek, lógos never meant just a word in the grammatical sense as the mere name of a thing, but rather the thing referred to, the material, not the formal part. In fact, the Greek language has 3 other words (rhema, onoma, epos) which designate a word in its grammatical sense. Lógos refers to the total expression whereas rhema for example is used of a part of speech in a sentence. In other words rhema, emphasizes the parts rather than the whole. Given (1325) (didomi) means to grant someone the opportunity or occasion to do something. Didomi means to grant based on decision of the will of the giver. Note the use of passive voice indicating the subject is the recipient and in this case God (His Spirit) is the Giver. Opening (Only use of this noun in Scripture) (457) (anoixis from anoigo = to open up or again) literally describes the act of opening. Idiomatically it refers to the speaking of a message or starting to speak. Mouth (4750) (stoma) refers to the literal bodily opening used for eating and speaking. Stoma is sometimes used metonymically of the action (what the mouth utters) as when Jesus says "these people honor me with their lips (stoma)" (Mt 15:8). The combination of open and mouth as used in this sentence is a Hebraistic way of saying "begin to speak". Blaikie - With all his practice in preaching, he felt that every instance of right utterance was a gift—“may be given to me;” especially when great matters were involved—“in the opening of my mouth.” To open the mouth denotes an authoritative act of teaching (see Mt 5:2-note); on such occasions he especially desired boldness, not stormy vehemence, but earnestness, fearlessness in making known the destination of the gospel, once secret, now designed for all (comp. Eph. 2). Boldness was needed because the message was so hateful to some and so contemptible to others. (The Pulpit Commentary) TO MAKE KNOWN WITH BOLDNESS THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL: en parrhesia gnorisai (AAN) to musterion tou euaggeliou: (Acts 4:13,29,31; 9:27,29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31; 2Corinthians 3:12; 7:4; Php 1:20; 1Th 2:2) (Ep 1:9; 3:3,4; 1Co 2:7; 4:1; Col 1:26,27; 2:2; 1Ti 3:16) To make known (1107) (gnorizo from ginosko = acquire information by whatever means but often with the implication of personal involvement or experience) means to cause information to be known by someone (make known, reveal, point out, explain, cause information to be known by someone), communicating things before unknown or reasserting things already known (Jn 15:15, Acts 7:13). To make clear. To "certify" (Gal 1:11KJV-note). As the result of consideration means to know, to possess information about, to know about, to have knowledge of , to be acquainted with (Php 1:22). Gnorizo is used especially of something unknowable by natural means but communicated by divine initiative (Eph 1:9). Zodhiates - Spoken of a teacher who unfolds divine things, to announce, declare, proclaim (John 15:15; 17:26; Rom. 16:26; Eph. 1:9; 6:19; 2 Pet. 1:16; Sept.: Ezek. 20:11). In the sense of to put in mind of, impress upon, confirm (1 Cor. 12:3; 15:1). Gnorizo - 25x in 24v - bring...information(1), have you know(1), inform(1), know(1), made...known(2), made known(11), make...known(2), make known(6), make...known(1).
Gnorizo - 42x in Septuagint (mostly for the Hebrew verb yada - to know, to know intimately) - Ex 21:36; Ruth 3:3; 1 Sam 6:2; 10:8; 14:12; 16:3; 28:15; 2 Sam 7:21; 1 Kgs 1:27; 8:12; 1 Chr 16:8; Ezra 4:14, 16; 5:10; 7:24f; Neh 8:12; 9:14; Job 34:25; Ps 16:11; 25:4; 32:5; 39:4; 77:14; 78:5; 90:12; 98:2; 103:7; 106:8; 143:8; 145:12; Pr 3:6; 9:9; 15:10; 22:19; Jer 11:18; 16:21; Ezek 20:5, 11; 43:11; 44:23; Hos 8:4; Amos 3:3; Boldness (3954) (parrhesia from pas = all + rhesis = speech) literally conveys the idea of freedom to say all or of unreservedness in speech. It can also convey the ideas of plainness or outspokenness. Parrhesia is speaking in a way conceals nothing and passes over nothing. It can describe state of boldness and confidence mixed with courage and fearlessness, especially in the presence of persons of high rank or in the face of possible danger. It is that attitude of openness that stems from freedom and lack of fear ("shaking" fear - godly, reverential fear is always appropriate). Greeks used parrhesia of those with the right to speak openly in the assembly. Parrhesia - 31x - Mark 8:32; John 7:4, 13, 26; 10:24; 11:14, 54; 16:25, 29; 18:20; Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29, 31; 28:31; 2 Cor 3:12; 7:4; Eph 3:12; 6:19; Phil 1:20; Col 2:15; 1 Tim 3:13; Phlm 1:8; Heb 3:6; 4:16; 10:19, 35; 1 John 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14 Mystery (3466) (musterion [word study] from mustes = one initiated [as into the Greco-Roman religious "mystery" cults] from mueo = to close or shut) as used in classical Greek conveyed the idea of silence in the rites of the "mystery" religions so common in the Greco-Roman Empire. Musterion referred to religious secrets which were confided only to the initiated. Thus in Paul's day, musterion embrace ideas such as "a secret rite," "secret teaching," and "a divine mystery which is beyond human comprehension." The "mystery-religions" had their secrets and signs as modern secret societies have today. Those initiated into these pagan cults, knew these secret signs. Musterion - 28x in 28v - Matt 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Rom 11:25; 16:25; 1 Cor 2:1, 7; 4:1; 13:2; 14:2; 15:51; Eph 1:9; 3:3f, 9; 5:32; 6:19; Col 1:26f; 2:2; 4:3; 2 Thess 2:7; 1 Tim 3:9, 16; Rev 1:20; 10:7; 17:5, 7 Musterion in Scripture takes on a completely different meaning and does not refer to truths know only to a select, initiated few but in contrast was is a previously hidden purpose of God which when uncovered is understood by the Spirit-taught believer. In Ephesians the musterion revealed is that Gentiles and Jews alike and together are one new people, one body, in their life in union with Christ. This is the truth that is revealed in the proclamation of the gospel. Vincent defines musterion as that
MacArthur adds that
Unger says that
Gospel (2098) (euaggelion from eú = good + aggéllo = proclaim, tell) is literally good message and was in common use in first century indicating good news of any kind. A common question must have been “Have you any good news (euaggelion) for me today?” Euaggelion - 76x in 73v - Matt 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; 26:13; Mark 1:1, 14f; 8:35; 10:29; 13:10; 14:9; 16:15; Acts 15:7; 20:24; Rom 1:1, 9, 16; 2:16; 10:16; 11:28; 15:16, 19; 16:25; 1 Cor 4:15; 9:12, 14, 18, 23; 15:1; 2 Cor 2:12; 4:3f; 8:18; 9:13; 10:14; 11:4, 7; Gal 1:6f, 11; 2:2, 5, 7, 14; Eph 1:13; 3:6; 6:15, 19; Phil 1:5, 7, 12, 16, 27; 2:22; 4:3, 15; Col 1:5, 23; 1 Thess 1:5; 2:2, 4, 8f; 3:2; 2 Thess 1:8; 2:14; 1 Tim 1:11; 2 Tim 1:8, 10; 2:8; Phlm 1:13; 1 Pet 4:17; Rev 14:6 As in the OT so among the Greeks, euaggelion was used for the proclamation of news of victory and the death or capture of the enemy! Ponder this in terms of our enemies!. Often the news was sent in a letter, but also came from the field of battle by ship, by horse, or a swift runner, who proclaims to the anxiously awaiting city the victory of the army, and the death or capture of the enemy. Others uses of euaggelion included being gladdened by the birth of a son, by news of an approaching wedding, or of the death of someone. The Cult of the Caesar was the state religion of the Roman empire, in which the emperor was worshipped as a god. When the announcement of the emperor’s birthday was made, or the accession of a new Caesar (gives rise to our English Kaiser & Czar!) proclaimed, the account of either event was designated by the word euaggelion or “good news.” The NT evangelists appropriated the word, take it out of the secular usage, and applying it to the message of salvation as the "best news" a man could ever hear! E Stanley Jones wrote that...
A B Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel
C H Spurgeon
><> ><> ><> SPEAKING WELL OF GOD'S SON- Scottish missionary Frederick Arnot spoke well of God's Son in central Africa. Indeed, he spoke so well of Him that thousands of people in the area became Christians. But Arnot had made it his practice to speak well of God's Son long before leaving to serve his Lord in that unevangelized field. When he was still young, Arnot and a friend tried to hold a street meeting in Glasgow's tavern district. As long as they sang hymns, the rough crowd tolerated them, but when they began to preach, their drunken audience drowned out their voices with hoots and profane howling. Moved to tears, Arnot and his companion prepared to leave. But a tall, elderly Christian who had been listening urged, "Keep at it, laddie. God loves to hear men speak well of His Son." Encouraged by that admonition, he and his friend doggedly continued their witness and gained a more attentive audience. All through his years of ministry, Arnot's highest goal was to speak well of God's Son. Is that our motive too? When opportunity presents itself, do we speak out boldly, telling who Jesus is and what He has done for us? How about speaking well of God's Son today? -- Vernon C. Grounds Take control of my words today, |
Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (NASB: Lockman) |
Greek: huper ou presbeus (2SPAI) en alusei, hina en auto parrhesiasomai (1SAMS) os dei (3SPAI) me lalesai. (AAN) Amplified: For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: I am in chains now for preaching this message as God's ambassador. But pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak out about it as my plain and obvious duty. (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: on behalf of which I am an ambassador in a chain, in order that in it I may speak with every fearless and confident freedom as it is necessary in the nature of the case for me to speak. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: for which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I may speak freely -- as it behoveth me to speak. |
FOR WHICH I AM AN AMBASSADOR IN CHAINS: huper ou presbeus (2SPAI) en halusei: (Proverbs 13:17; Isaiah 33:7; 2Corinthians 5:20) (Ep 3:1; 4:1; 2Sa 10:2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Acts 26:29; 28:20; Philippians 1:7,13,14; 2Ti 1:16; 2:9; Philemon 1:10) For which (5228) (huper) means in behalf of, for the sake of. On behalf of what? It could be the gospel, the mystery (which is in the gospel) or indicating simply "for this reason". Eadie feels it was not simply "because of the gospel, but because of making known the gospel, that he was imprisoned." Ambassador (4243) (presbeuo from présbus = an aged person, elder, an ambassador) conveys the idea literally of being a senior ("in the first rank") and then to act as or travel as an ambassador. An ambassador was a messenger or envoy officially representing a higher authority such as an official representative of a king or government. Eadie - . The person of an ambassador is by international law sacred and inviolable; and yet Paul, a legate from the mightiest Sovereignty, charged with an embassy of unparalleled nobleness and urgency, and bearing with him credentials of unmistakeable authenticity, is detained in captivity. (Eadie's Commentary on Ephesians) In Second Corinthians Paul explains that...
Chains (254) (halusis from a = negative + luo = loose, but this origin is not accepted by all authorities - this origin means according to Thayer that which is not to be loosed) is literally a chain, bond, manacle or a metonym for imprisonment (Eph 6:20, 2Ti 1:16-note). The word is used especially for handcuffs. Josephus (Ant. 19, 294) speaks of binding someone with chains. Halusis was used in secular Greek for a woman's ornament, such as a bracelet. Referring to his first imprisonment, Paul had earlier stated that he was "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (Ep 3:1-note) and again "the prisoner of the Lord" (Ep 4:1-note). In Philippians (also referring to the first imprisonment) three times he mentions "my imprisonment" (Php 1:7, 13, 14-see note Php 1:7; 13; 14). To Philemon Paul wrote...
Paul writing to Timothy from his second imprisonment...
MacDonald comments that...
Guzik has an interesting note...
Barclay writes that halusis...
Halusis is not used in the but is found 11 times in the NT...
THAT IN PROCLAIMING IT I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK: hina en auto parrhesiasomai (1SAMS) os dei (3SPAI) me lalesai. (AAN): (Ep 6:19; Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 1:7,8,17; Ezekiel 2:4, 5, 6, 7; Matthew 10:27,28; Acts 5:29; 28:31; Colossians 4:4; Philippians 1:20; 1Thessalonians 2:2; 1John 3:16; Jude 1:3) That (hina) expresses purpose. Whenever you encounter a "so that" (or "that" with a similar meaning) pause and ponder the text, asking what is the purpose, what conditions enabled Paul to fulfill his purpose, etc. Paul even sees God's purpose in his suffering (to be an "ambassador in chains"). How do we see the "chains" in our life...as obstacles or opportunities? Proclaiming is added by the translators. That in (this) - "in making known the gospel" Speak boldly (3955) (parrhesiazomai from parrhesia [pas = all + rhesis = speech] = freedom or frankness in speaking) means to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor. To peak openly, boldly, and without constraint. The idea is to speak regardless of what might happen. Ought (1163) (dei [word study] from deo = to bind or tie objects together, put in prison, also root of doulos = bond-servant) refers to what is not optional but needful (in a sense binding) out of intrinsic necessity or inevitability. Dei refers to inward constraint which is why it is often translated must. Dei describes that which is under the necessity of happening or which must necessarily take place, often with the implication of inevitability. Dei To express the sense of necessity dei is translated "one ought", "one should", "one has to" or "one must") The TDNT comments that dei
Speak (2980) (laleo) (Click word study of laleo) means to make a sound and then to utter words. Vincent says that laleo is
Kenneth Wuest adds that
Sammy Tippit writes of the importance of prayer in proclaiming the gospel with boldness...
EFFECTIVE PRAYER...
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