Ephesians 6:19

for me Lit., on behalf of me. This change of phrase, by change of preposition, is perhaps due to the Apostle's strong personal sense of his need of the helpof intercessory prayer. He wisely covets for his apostolic work the prayers of the obscurest militant believer. Cp. Rom 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 13:18.

utterance Lit., "word" (logos;Latin versions, sermo); a special deliveranceof the Gospel. Cp. 1 Corinthians 1:5.

given by the inspiring and enabling Spirit. Cp. Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:8. The Apostle was still as entirely dependent on the heavenly Gift as when his work began.

that I may open Lit., "in opening of." "In" such "opening," as opportunity came by God's providence, and power came by His grace, the "gift" would be seen.

boldly Lit., in boldness of speech. The Gr. word has occurred Ephesians 3:12, where see note. Cp. Philippians 1:20. St Paul was not insensible to the difficulty of a full and open utterance of the Gospel, not least in the Capital of the world. Cp. Romans 1:15-16, and notes in this Series.

the mystery The sixth occurrence of the word in the Epistle; cp. Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3-4; Ephesians 3:9; Ephesians 5:32. On the meaning, see on Ephesians 1:9. The special reference here is fixed by the previous occurrences; it is to Divine Redemption in its world-wide scope and eternal issues. Cp. 1 Timothy 3:16.