American Standard Version
Ephesians 6:20
20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
- New International Version (NIV)for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
- New King James Version (NKJV)for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Context of Ephesians 6:20
18with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Read all of Ephesians 6Ephesians 6:20 word by word
ὑπὲρ οὗ πρεσβεύω ἐν ἁλύσει, ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ παρρησιάσωμαι ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.¶Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ephesians 6:20
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.
- Isaiah 33:7Behold, their valiant ones cry without; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.
- Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,—
- Ephesians 4:1I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,
- 2 Samuel 10:2And David said, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness unto me. So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
- Acts 26:29And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
- Acts 28:20For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
- Philippians 1:7even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.
- 2 Timothy 1:16The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
- 2 Timothy 2:9wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
- Philemon 1:10I beseech thee for my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds, Onesimus,
- Ephesians 6:19and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
- Isaiah 58:1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto my people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- Jeremiah 1:7But Jehovah said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak.
- Ezekiel 2:4And the children are impudent and stiffhearted: I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah.
Commentaries on Ephesians 6:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20An ambassador in bonds - An ambassador being the representative of his king, his person was in all civilized countries held sacred. Contrary to the rights of nations, this ambassador of the King of heaven was put in chains! He had however the opportunity of defending himself, and of vindicating the honor of his Master. See above. As I ought to speak - As becomes the dignity and the importance of the subject.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds - In chains (see the margin); or in confinement. There is something especially touching in this. He was “an ambassador” - sent to proclaim peace to a lost world. But he was now in chains. An ambassador is a sacred character. No greater affront can be given to a nation than to put its ambassadors to death, or even to throw them into prison. But Paul says here that the unusual spectacle was witnessed of an ambassador…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-24Verses 19-24 The gospel was a mystery till made known by Divine revelation; and it is the work of Christ's ministers to declare it. The best and most eminent ministers need the prayers of believers. Those particularly should be prayed for, who are exposed to great hardships and perils in their work. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith. By peace, understand all manner of peace; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace among themselves. And the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-20Paul's mission was to help non-Jews (Gentiles) understand they are now accepted by God and welcomed into God's church. the mystery of the gospel: See study notes on 1:8–10; 3:3. I am an ambassador in chains: Although writing as a prisoner (see 3:1; 4:1), Paul knew his role as God's ambassador was to continue speaking boldly for God (compare 2 Corinthians 5:20) .Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. For--Greek, as in Ep 6:19, "On behalf of which." an ambassador in bonds--a paradox. Ambassadors were held inviolable by the law of nations, and could not, without outrage to every sacred right, be put in chains. Yet Christ's "ambassador is in a chain!" The Greek is singular. The Romans used to bind a prisoner to a soldier by a single chain, in a kind of free custody. So Ac 28:16, 20, "I am bound with this chain." The term, "bonds" (plural), on the…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 6:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ephesians 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries