Ephesians 6:19

“And for me, &c.] This shows the great humility of the apostle, and the sense he had of the greatness of the work of the ministry; and that it is the duty of people to pray for their ministers; and that no man is perfect in this life; and that the more superior members need the assistance of the inferior ones; for this request is made by the apostle not in dissimulation, or as feigning humility and modesty; but in the sincerity of his heart, and from a real sense of his need of fresh supplies of gifts and grace, to fit him for the work and service of Christ: that utterance may be given unto me, or “that the word”; meaning not the subject matter of the ministry, the word of the Gospel, the…”

“for me--a different Greek preposition from that in Eph 6:18; translate, therefore, "on my behalf." that I may open my mouth boldly--rather, "that there may be given to me 'utterance,' or 'speech' in the opening of my mouth (when I undertake to speak; a formula used in set and solemn speech, Job 3:1; Dan 10:16), so as with boldness to make known," &c. Bold plainness of speech was the more needed, as the Gospel is a "mystery" undiscoverable by mere reason, and only known by revelation. Paul looked for utterance to be given him; he did not depend on his natural or acquired power. The shortest road to any heart is by way of heaven; pray to God to open the door and to open your mouth, so as to…”

“And for me - Paul was then a prisoner at Rome. He specially needed the prayers of Christians: (1) That he might be sustained in his afflictions; and, (2) That he might be able to manifest the spirit which he ought, and to do good as he had opportunity. Learn hence that we should pray for the prisoner, the captive, the man in chains, the slave. There are in this land (the United States) about ten thousand prisoners - husbands, fathers, sons, brothers; or wives, mothers, daughters. True, they are the children of “crime,” but they are also the children of sorrow; and in either case or both they need our prayers. There are in this land not far from three million of slaves - and they need our…”

“By the opening my mouth - Removing every inward and every outward hinderance. Ephesians 6:20”

“6:19-20 Paul’s missionary calling was primarily to help Gentiles realize that they are now accepted by God and welcomed into his church. • mysterious plan: See study notes on 1:8-10; 3:3. • I am in chains now: Though writing as a prisoner (see 3:1; 4:1), Paul knew that his calling as God’s ambassador (cp. 2 Cor 5:20) was to keep on speaking boldly for him.”

“for: Rom 15:30; Co2 1:11; Phi 1:19; Col 4:3; Th1 5:25; Th2 3:1; Plm 1:22; Heb 13:18 utterance: Act 2:4; Co1 1:5; Co2 8:7 that I: Act 4:13, Act 4:29, Act 4:31, Act 9:27, Act 9:29, Act 13:46, Act 14:3, Act 18:26, Act 19:8, Act 28:31; Co2 3:12 \*marg. Co2 7:4; Phi 1:20; Th1 2:2 the mystery: Eph 1:9, Eph 3:3, Eph 3:4; Co1 2:7, Co1 4:1; Col 1:26, Col 1:27, Col 2:2; Ti1 3:16 Ephesians 6:20”