Ephesians 6:20

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 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, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

Ephesians 6:20 word by word

ὑπὲρ οὗ πρεσβεύω ἐν ἁλύσει, ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ παρρησιάσωμαι ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.¶Read the interlinear

• for whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I amπρεσβεύωpresbeuō · be ambassadorG4243
• chainsἅλυσιςhalusis · chainG254
• it I may speakπαρρησιάζομαιparrhēsiazomai · to preach boldlyG3955
• as I oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• to speakλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980

Cross-references for Ephesians 6:20

• Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful envoy brings healing.
• Isaiah 33:7Behold, their brave men cry in the streets, The ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
• Ephesians 3:1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--
• Ephesians 4:1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
• 2 Samuel 10:2Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console him concerning his father. But when David’s servants came to the land of the Ammonites,
• Acts 26:29And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
• Acts 28:20For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”
• Philippians 1:7For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
• 2 Timothy 1:16The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;
• 2 Timothy 2:9for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.
• Philemon 1:10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment,
• Ephesians 6:19and 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,
• Isaiah 58:1“Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins.
• Jeremiah 1:7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.
• Ezekiel 2:4I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’

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

• Ambassadors
• Gospel
• Intercession
• Minister, Christian
• Wisdom
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Ambassador
• Chain
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Nurture
• Obey
• Provoke
• Wrestle
• Chain; Chains
• Ephesians, Epistle to the
• Justification

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