God’s Word Translation
Ephesians 6:20
20Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to.
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
18Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people. 19Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. Because I have already been doing this as Christ’s representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to. 21I’m sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother and a faithful deacon in the Lord’s work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me so that you will know how I’m getting along. 22That’s why I’m sending him to you so that you may know how we’re doing and that he may encourage you.
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
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- I am an ambassadorπρεσβεύωpresbeuō · be ambassadorG4243
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- bondsἅλυσιςhalusis · chainG254
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- I may speak boldlyπαρρησιάζομαιparrhēsiazomai · to preach boldlyG3955
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
- to speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
Cross-references for Ephesians 6:20
- Proverbs 13:17An undependable messenger gets into trouble, but a dependable envoy brings healing.
- Isaiah 33:7Heroes cry in the streets. Messengers of peace cry bitterly.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20Therefore, we are Christ’s representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.
- Ephesians 3:1This is the reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for those of you who are not Jewish.
- Ephesians 4:1I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you.
- 2 Samuel 10:2David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun as his father Nahash showed me kindness.” So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun after his father’s ⌞death⌟. But when David’s servants entered Ammonite territory,
- Acts 26:29Paul replied, “I wish to God that you and everyone listening to me today would quickly and completely become as I am (except for being a prisoner).”
- Acts 28:20That’s why I asked to see you and speak with you. I’m wearing these chains because of what Israel hopes for.”
- Philippians 1:7You have a special place in my heart. So it’s right for me to think this way about all of you. All of you are my partners. Together we share God’s favor, whether I’m in prison or defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
- 2 Timothy 1:16May the Lord be merciful to the family of Onesiphorus. He often took care of my needs and wasn’t ashamed that I was a prisoner.
- 2 Timothy 2:9I’m suffering disgrace for spreading this Good News. I have even been put into prison like a criminal. However, God’s word is not imprisoned.
- Philemon 1:10appeal to you for my child Onesimus [Useful]. I became his spiritual father here in prison.
- Ephesians 6:19Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News.
- Isaiah 58:1Cry aloud! Don’t hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Tell my people about their rebellion and the descendants of Jacob about their sins.
- Jeremiah 1:7But the Lord said to me, “Don’t say that you are only a boy. You will go wherever I send you. You will say whatever I command you to say.
- Ezekiel 2:4I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn children. Tell them, ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says.’
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries