“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly , to make known the mystery of the gospel,”
My Notes
What Does Ephesians 6:19 Mean?
Paul requests prayer not for comfort but for boldness: and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.
And for me — Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him. The apostle who wrote most of the New Testament, planted churches across the Roman Empire, and received visions of the third heaven asks ordinary believers to pray for him. The request reveals both humility and genuine dependence: Paul needs prayer. Apostleship does not exempt from the need for intercession.
That utterance (logos) may be given unto me — the word must be given. Paul does not assume that his theological training or speaking experience guarantees effective utterance. The logos — the right word at the right time — comes from God. Even Paul needs it given to him. The passive voice (may be given — dotheie) identifies God as the giver. The word is a gift, not a skill.
That I may open my mouth boldly (en parresia — with boldness, with freedom of speech, with unreserved openness) — the boldness Paul requests is not natural confidence. It is supernatural enablement — the capacity to speak without fear, without self-censorship, without holding back. Paul is in prison (6:20: an ambassador in bonds). The chains create pressure to be silent. The prayer request is for the opposite: bold, open-mouthed, unrestricted proclamation despite the chains.
To make known the mystery (musterion) of the gospel — the content is specific: the mystery. In Ephesians, the mystery is the plan hidden for ages and now revealed: Gentiles and Jews united in one body through Christ (3:3-6). Paul's boldness is not for personal expression. It is for the proclamation of a specific message — God's hidden plan, now disclosed, that must be announced to the world.
The request is remarkable: Paul does not ask for release from prison. He asks for boldness in prison. The circumstances are not the concern. The proclamation is. Free me is replaced by give me words.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does Paul asking for prayer reveal about the relationship between apostolic authority and dependence on intercession?
- 2.Why does Paul ask for utterance to be 'given' — and what does that say about the source of effective gospel proclamation?
- 3.Why does Paul request boldness rather than release from prison — and what does that reveal about his priorities?
- 4.What would it look like for you to pray for boldness in your current circumstances rather than escape from them?
Devotional
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me. Paul asks for prayer. The greatest apostle in Christian history — and he needs your prayers. Not for comfort. Not for release from prison. For utterance — the right words, given by God, in the moment he needs them. Even Paul does not assume the words will come automatically. They must be given.
That I may open my mouth boldly. Boldly — with freedom, without holding back, without the self-censorship that chains produce. Paul is in prison. The natural response to imprisonment is silence — keep your head down, do not provoke, protect yourself. Paul's prayer request is the opposite: help me open my mouth wide. Help me speak without fear. Help me be bold when everything around me says be quiet.
To make known the mystery of the gospel. The boldness is not for self-expression. It is for a specific message: the mystery — God's plan, hidden for ages, now revealed in Christ. Jew and Gentile united in one body. The dividing wall broken down. The nations included. This mystery must be made known. And making it known requires boldness that only God can give.
Paul does not ask to be freed from chains. He asks for words in chains. The request reveals his priorities: the proclamation matters more than the circumstances. The mystery of the gospel matters more than personal comfort. The boldness to speak matters more than the safety of silence.
What do you pray for? Release from difficulty? Or boldness in difficulty? Paul's prayer request redefines what matters: not the situation but the proclamation. Not the chains but the words. Not comfort but courage. Pray for me — not that the prison doors would open but that my mouth would.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And for me,.... This shows the great humility of the apostle, and the sense he had of the greatness of the work of the…
And for me - Paul was then a prisoner at Rome. He specially needed the prayers of Christians: (1) That he might be…
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me - Ἱνα μοι δοθειη λογος. Kypke has proved by many examples that λογον…
Here, I. He desires their prayers for him, Eph 6:19. Having mentioned supplication for all saints, he puts himself into…
for me Lit., on behalf of me. This change of phrase, by change of preposition, is perhaps due to the Apostle's strong…
Cross References
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