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

18Pray in the Ruach on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim. 19And pray for me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak boldly, the way I should. 21Now Tychicus, my dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will give you all the news about me so you may know how I’m doing. 22I have sent him to you for this very reason, so you may know how we are and he may encourage your hearts.

Ephesians 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 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
• Isaiah 33:7Behold, heroes cry outside. Ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20We are therefore ambassadors for Messiah, as though God were making His appeal through us. We beg you on behalf of Messiah, be reconciled to God.
• Ephesians 3:1For this reason I, Paul, am a prisoner of Messiah Yeshua for the sake of you Gentiles.
• Ephesians 4:1Therefore I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called—
• 2 Samuel 10:2Then David thought, “Let me show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent word by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived at the land of the children of Ammon,
• Acts 26:29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would pray to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today would be such as I am—except for these chains!”
• Acts 28:20For this reason, therefore, I have requested to see you and to speak with you—since it is for the hope of Israel that I am bearing this chain.”
• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart—for you all are partakers of grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News.
• 2 Timothy 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment.
• 2 Timothy 2:9For this I suffer hardship as a criminal, even to the point of chains—though the word of God is not chained.
• Philemon 1:10I beg you for my child Onesimus—for whom I became a spiritual father while in chains.
• Ephesians 6:19And pray for me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
• Isaiah 58:1“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a shofar. Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
• Jeremiah 1:7But Adonai answered me, “Do not say ‘I’m only a boy!’ For to everyone I send you, you will go, and all I command you, you will speak.
• Ezekiel 2:4The children have hard faces and stubborn hearts. I am sending you to them, and you are to tell them, ‘Thus says Adonai Elohim.’

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