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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eph_6:18-20
18With 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, 19and 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, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Eph_6:18 "with all prayer and petition, pray at all times" Notice the number of times the inclusive term "all" is used in Eph_6:18. Prayer is another powerful weapon in the spiritual battle which is the Christian's daily life in this fallen age. Paul requested prayer for himself in Eph_6:19 (cf. Col_4:3-4; 1Th_5:17). He did not ask for personal issues but for clarity and boldness in gospel proclamation (cf. Col_4:3-4). It is interesting to note that Paul does not discuss the spiritual battle in Colossians but he does emphasize the need for prayer (cf. Col_4:2).
▣ "in the Spirit" The term "spirit" has no article (ananthrous). This can be understood in different ways. It may refer to
1. the Spirit praying for believers ( cf. Rom_8:26-27)
2. Christians praying in spiritual power (cf. Jud_1:20)
3. parallel to Joh_4:23 "in spirit and truth"
4. "spirit" as distinct from "mind" (cf. 1Co_14:14-15)
Effective, fervent prayer is impossible without the Spirit's involvement!
Notice the aspects of spirit-led prayer:
1. at all times
2. in the Spirit
3. be alert with perseverance
4. pray for all the saints
▣ "for all the saints" See Special Topic: Saints at Col_1:2.
Eph_6:19 "pray on my behalf" Paul asked for prayer, not for himself personally, but for the power to present the gospel clearly as he spoke during his trials before the Roman authorities (cf. Col_4:3; 1Th_5:25; 2Th_3:1):
1. "that utterance may be given me" (Eph_6:19)
2. "to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel" (Eph_6:19 "freedom of speech," cf. Eph_3:12; Heb_4:16; Heb_10:19; Heb_10:35).
3. "I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Eph_6:20; Col_4:4).
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▣ "with boldness" See Special Topic: Boldness (Parrhçsia) at Col_2:15.
▣ "mystery of the gospel" Paul uses this term in several different ways describing God's redemptive plan. Here it refers to the believing Jews and Gentiles being one body in Christ. This concept is clearly spelled out in Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13. The term appears in Eph_1:9; Eph_3:3-4; Eph_3:9; Eph_5:32. See Special Topic at Eph_3:3.
Eph_6:20 "I am an ambassador in chains" Paul understood his apostleship to the Gentiles as both a stewardship (1Co_4:1; 1Co_9:17; Tit_1:7) and an ambassadorship (cf. 2Co_5:20). He was in prison to preach the gospel to the Roman authorities in Rome, as he had to the authorities in Judea (cf. Act_9:15).