Ephesians 6 19

Ephesians 6:19 kjv

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,

Ephesians 6:19 nkjv

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:19 niv

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:19 esv

and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:19 nlt

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

Ephesians 6 verses

Ephesians 6 19 meaning

Ephesians 6:19 is an apostolic request for prayer, seeking divine enablement for effective proclamation of the Gospel. Paul, though a divinely appointed apostle and a prisoner for Christ, acknowledges his absolute dependence on God's power. He desires that when he speaks, the divine "utterance" (God's message) would be granted to him, allowing him to courageously and clearly articulate the profound truth—"the mystery of the gospel"—which had previously been hidden but is now revealed in Christ Jesus, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles in salvation.

Ephesians 6 19 Context

Ephesians 6:19 is found at the conclusion of Paul's practical exhortations, specifically within the "Armor of God" section (6:10-20). After detailing the spiritual battle and the components of divine equipment necessary for endurance, Paul emphasizes the critical role of prayer. Verse 18 calls believers to be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all saints." Immediately following this broad call for prayer, verse 19 shifts to a specific request from Paul for himself, highlighting that even apostles rely on the intercessory prayers of the church. This underscores that spiritual victory and effective ministry are not solely dependent on individual effort or giftedness, but on divine empowerment sought through united prayer. Historically, Paul was likely imprisoned when writing Ephesians (Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), and his plea for "boldness" gains added weight given his constrained circumstances and the potential risks associated with proclaiming the Gospel in the Roman Empire. The Gentile inclusion in God's redemptive plan was a key "mystery" that Paul often highlighted and faced opposition for (Eph 3:4-6), making his request for its bold proclamation all the more poignant.

Ephesians 6 19 Word analysis

• And for me (καὶ ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ - kai hyper emou):
  • kai (and): Connects this specific prayer request for Paul to the general call for prayer for all saints (v.18), emphasizing that even leaders require sustained prayer support.
  • hyper emou (for me): Highlights a personal and specific plea, demonstrating Paul’s humility and dependence on the prayers of the Ephesian believers despite his apostolic authority.
• that utterance (ἵνα μοι λόγος δοθῇ - hina moi logos dothē):
  • hina (that): Introduces the purpose clause, indicating the desired outcome of the prayer—the bestowal of words.
  • logos (utterance, word): More than mere speech, it refers to the divine message, the Word of God to be communicated. It implies not only what to say but also how it should be delivered effectively and relevantly.
  • dothē (may be given): Aorist passive subjunctive, indicating that this "word" or "utterance" is a divine gift, sovereignly bestowed by God. Paul acknowledges that the words are not his own, but God’s.
• that I may open my mouth boldly (ἐν ἀνοίξει τοῦ στόματός μου ἐν παρρησίᾳ - en anoixei tou stomatos mou en parrēsia):
  • en anoixei tou stomatos mou (in the opening of my mouth): A Greek idiom meaning to speak publicly, freely, and often with significant, sometimes authoritative, pronouncement (Ps 51:15). It implies preparation and the initiation of speech.
  • en parrēsia (in boldness, with all frankness): Parrhesia is a crucial Greek term referring to freedom of speech, confidence, fearlessness, and candid plainness of speaking without concealment or evasion. It contrasts with timid or hesitant speech and was a highly valued civic virtue. In the Christian context, it signifies courageous declaration of truth, especially in challenging or hostile environments.
• to make known (γνωρίσαι - gnōrisai):
  • From gnorizō, meaning "to make known," "to cause to know," "to reveal," "to declare." It emphasizes the act of lucidly communicating truth so that others understand.
• the mystery (τὸ μυστήριον - to mystērion):
  • In the New Testament, a "mystery" is not something inherently unknowable, but a divine truth previously hidden (unknown in God's counsels) which is now being revealed by divine action, specifically through Christ and the apostles. In Ephesians, this largely refers to God's plan to unite all things in Christ, specifically the inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs with Israel into the body of Christ, the church (Eph 3:3-6).
• of the gospel (τοῦ εὐαγγελίου - tou euangeliou):
  • Euangelion (good news): Refers to the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ, His death, resurrection, and the coming of His Kingdom. It is the central message that transforms lives.

Words-group analysis:

• And for me, that utterance may be given unto me: This phrase highlights divine initiative and human dependence. It's a prayer not for eloquence for its own sake, but for God-breathed words to be given for His specific message, demonstrating the need for spiritual gifting and anointing in ministry. It reflects a deep humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than personal ability.
• that I may open my mouth boldly: This emphasizes both the action and the manner of proclamation. "Open my mouth" implies public, clear, and unreserved declaration, while "boldly" underscores the courageous, uninhibited, and direct nature of speech required, particularly when facing opposition or speaking counter-culturally. It connects the divine gifting with a confident human delivery.
• to make known the mystery of the gospel: This succinctly defines the primary objective and content of Paul’s mission. "To make known" implies clear revelation, moving from concealed to apprehended truth. "The mystery of the gospel" identifies the specific content as God’s unfolding, redemptive plan in Christ, previously hidden, now revealed to encompass all humanity through the good news of salvation.

Ephesians 6 19 Bonus section

Paul’s prayer request serves as a powerful model for all believers, not just ministers, in seeking God's empowerment for their daily witness. It illustrates that spiritual giftedness, divine calling, or even experience do not negate the ongoing need for God's enabling grace through prayer. His humility, even as an apostle and an inspired writer, in asking for prayer, stands in stark contrast to self-sufficiency. This dependence fosters community, binding believers together in a shared spiritual work (1 Cor 12:7). Furthermore, the specific emphasis on parrhesia (boldness) suggests that proclaiming the Gospel, especially its profound "mystery," is often counter-cultural or faces opposition, thus requiring a Spirit-wrought courage to speak forthrightly and clearly. This boldness is a spiritual gift (Acts 4:31) but also a virtue to be earnestly prayed for. The ultimate aim is not personal glory or eloquence, but the accurate and effective revelation of the gospel's transforming power.

Ephesians 6 19 Commentary

Ephesians 6:19 provides profound insight into the heart and mission of a dedicated servant of Christ. Coming directly after a call to sustained prayer for all saints, Paul’s request for himself underscores a core truth: even the most spiritually gifted and appointed apostles depend entirely on divine grace for effective ministry. His request is for "utterance"—a God-given word—signifying that true spiritual communication is not humanly devised but divinely empowered. This God-supplied word enables him to "open his mouth boldly," implying a public, courageous, and clear proclamation of truth, devoid of fear or compromise. This boldness (Greek parrhesia) is essential because the message, "the mystery of the gospel," is not merely information but a transformative, previously hidden truth about God's salvific plan, particularly the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in Christ's body. Paul recognizes that this mystery needs not just to be spoken, but "made known," suggesting a need for clarity and persuasion for understanding. Thus, the verse illustrates the synergy of divine anointing, human courage, and faithful content in advancing the Kingdom. It reminds us that our primary request in prayer for ministers should be for divine enablement to declare God's truth with courage and clarity, irrespective of their circumstances, that the Gospel's profound mysteries might be universally apprehended.