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 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 6:18 | Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... | Preceding instruction |
| Acts 4:29 | Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. | Parallel request for boldness |
| Col 4:3 | ...praying also for us, that God may open a door for the message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ... | Prayer for open doors & proclamation |
| 1 Thess 2:2 | But after we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. | Paul’s example of courage |
| Acts 18:9 | The Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not be silent, | Divine encouragement to speak |
| Rom 10:14 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? | Need for proclamation |
| 1 Cor 2:4 | And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, | Proclaiming with power |
| 2 Cor 3:12 | Since we have such a hope, we are very bold... | Boldness in the new covenant |
| 2 Cor 4:13 | But having the same Spirit of faith according to what is written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we speak, | Faith and speech |
| Phil 1:14 | and most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. | Confidence and fearlessness |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, | Readiness to give an account |
| Matt 10:19 | When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. | God's provision for speech |
| Luke 12:11 | And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, | Divine guidance in witness |
| Jer 1:17 | “But you, dress yourself for hardship, and arise and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.” | God’s charge to a prophet |
| Ps 119:46 | I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, | Testifying before leaders |
| Acts 28:31 | Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. | Paul’s ministry example |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Holy Spirit’s role in teaching |
| 1 Cor 14:32 | And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. | Orderliness in spiritual gifts |
| Gal 1:16 | ...to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone | Independence in preaching |
| Heb 13:6 | So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” | Confidence in God |
Ephesians 6 verses
Ephesians 6 19 Meaning
This verse describes the believer's ongoing reliance on prayer, specifically pleading for boldness and clarity in proclaiming the gospel message. It emphasizes that this is not a passive act, but an active and persistent request to God for effective witness. The ultimate aim is for the message to be communicated with confidence and without hesitation, leading to a greater impact for God's kingdom.
Ephesians 6 19 Context
Ephesians 6:10-20 forms the conclusion of the letter, focusing on spiritual warfare and the believer's empowerment. Following the description of the "armor of God" (vv. 10-17), the apostle Paul transitions to the offensive aspect: prayer. This particular verse is situated within a passage (vv. 18-20) that underscores the crucial role of persistent prayer for the advancement of the gospel and the spiritual well-being of ministers. The immediate context emphasizes prayer "always," "with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit," and for "all the saints," broadening the scope of prayer beyond personal needs. The mention of praying for Paul himself, specifically "for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel," places this verse within the context of Paul's own missionary endeavors and his need for divine enablement in evangelism. The cultural context involved a world where orators and philosophers were highly esteemed, and boldness in public speech was often a sign of authority and conviction. Paul was seeking a divine anointing that transcended human rhetorical skill.
Ephesians 6 19 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): and. A conjunctive particle connecting this verse to the preceding commands on prayer.
- ὑπὲρ (hyper): for, on behalf of. Denotes the beneficiary of the prayer.
- ἐμοῦ (emou): me. Refers to the Apostle Paul himself.
- ἵνα (hina): that, in order that. Introduces a purpose clause, stating the reason for the prayer.
- παρρησίᾳ (parrhesia): boldness, plainness of speech, confidence. A key term referring to fearless and uninhibited communication. It signifies speaking openly, without hesitation or fear of consequences. This word is rich with meaning in the context of early Christianity, where proclaiming the gospel often brought opposition and persecution. It is not merely human courage but a divine confidence.
- ἀνοίξῃ (anoixē): may open. From the verb anoigō (to open). It implies not just the ability but the opportune moment and access to speak.
- τὸ (to): the. Definite article.
- στόμα (stoma): mouth.
- μου (mou): my.
- τοῦ (tou): to.
- λαλῆσαι (lalesai): to speak. The infinitive form, indicating the action itself.
- τὸ (to): the.
- μυστήριον (mustērion): mystery. In Pauline theology, this refers to the divinely revealed truth concerning salvation through Christ, which was previously hidden but is now made known. It signifies the ineffable plan of God for humanity's redemption through Jesus Christ.
- τοῦ (tou): of the.
- εὐαγγελίου (euangelion): gospel. Literally "good news," referring to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Words group analysis:
- "παρρησίᾳ ἀνοίξῃ τὸ στόμα μου" (parrhesia anoixē to stoma mou): This powerful phrase signifies the divine enabling for bold speech. It’s not just about opening one's mouth, but about having the confidence and opportunity to speak the truth fearlessly. The emphasis is on the manner of speaking – with unhindered boldness.
- "τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου" (to mustērion tou euangelion): This phrase points to the specific content of the message: the profound, divinely ordained truth of the gospel, previously hidden but now revealed in Christ. It encompasses God's redemptive plan for humanity.
Ephesians 6 19 Bonus Section
The concept of "mystery" (μυστήριον) in Paul's writings is significant. It's not something inherently hidden in a deceptive way, but rather a truth that God kept secret from previous ages and generations but has now revealed through Christ and His Spirit to His people (Col 1:26-27). The gospel is this grand mystery. The request for boldness (parrhesia) is a recurring theme for Paul; he frequently sought prayer for this very quality (Acts 4:29, Col 4:3-4, 1 Thess 2:2). This highlights that even the most Spirit-filled ministers recognize the need for ongoing reliance on God's empowering grace for evangelism, especially when facing adversaries. It serves as a reminder to the church that effective gospel proclamation is a product of prayer.
Ephesians 6 19 Commentary
This verse is a direct plea for divine empowerment for proclamation. Paul, the seasoned apostle, recognizes his utter dependence on God's Spirit for effective witness. The request is for "boldness," implying a fearless utterance that cuts through opposition and skepticism. This boldness is coupled with the "opening of my mouth," signifying that the opportune moment and the right words are divinely given. The object of this bold proclamation is "the mystery of the gospel"—the astounding truth of God's salvation plan through Christ. This emphasizes that the message itself is weighty and transformative, requiring not just human effort but divine orchestration for its powerful delivery. It is a call for the church to pray for its leaders and missionaries, asking God to grant them unhindered speech and confident articulation of His saving truth.