Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 6:19 - 6:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
19. καὶ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ. From 1Th 5:25 onwards St Paul shows how he values the intercessions of his friends. See esp. 2Th 3:1 f. Rom 15:30 f.; Col 4:3 f.
ἴνα μοι δοθῇ λόγος. Here St Paul is seeking the help of their prayers to enable him to grasp the sword of the Spirit and claim the fulfilment. Cf. Mat 10:20; Luk 21:15.
ἐν ἀνοίξει τοῦ στόματός μου. The associations of this phrase in O. and N.T. connect it with utterances either directly prophetic or of critical significance. See Exo 4:12; Eze 24:27 etc.; Job 3:1 etc.; Psalms 50(51):17; Sir 15:5 etc.; Luk 1:64; Mat 5:2; Mat 13:35; Act 8:35; Act 10:34. In some cases stress is laid on the personal responsibility of the speaker for giving vent to the pent-up feeling. But in a number of passages, as here, the opening of the mouth is the work of the Lord. In Col 4:3 ἀνοίξῃ θύραν τοῦ λόγου we have the correlative thought of the removal of impediments in the hearts of the hearers.
ἐν παρρησίᾳ to be connected with γνωρίσαι. So Origen. This phrase is best illustrated from Acts, see esp. Eph 4:29; Eph 4:31. The notice in Act 28:31 μετὰ πάσης παρρησίας ἀκωλύτως records the removal of all restraint from within and from without to the preaching of the Lord, for which St Paul here and in Col. asks his friends to intercede.
γνωρίσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου. See on Eph 1:9.