Colossians 4:4

that. may make it manifest, as. ought to speak.

'THAT' -A specific request concerning such preaching. Paul gets right down to the heart of the matter, this is something that concerned him. In our prayers, we need to be specific also.

'I MAY MAKE IT MANIFEST' -5319. phaneroo fan-er-o'-o; from 5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively): -appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).

-'declare it openly' (Con). Compare with "speak boldly" in Ephesians 6:20.

Points to Note:

1. It may seem strange than an inspired man is praying that he would preach the word in the proper way, i.e. freely, fearlessly, boldly, and without compromise. And yet other passages infer that inspiration didn't override human freewill, i.e. the inspired man could cringe, he could refuse to use the gift that God had given him (1 Corinthians 14:32; 2 Timothy 1:7).

2. 'When. good message is proclaimed in. bad way it can do more harm than good.' (Hendriksen p. 181)

3. Carefully note, that the truth needs to be presented in the proper spirit (2 Timothy 2:24; Ephesians 4:15).

4. Paul may also be thinking of when he appears before Caesar. Eadie notes, 'it might be surmised that what Paul had suffered for the gospel had lessened his love for it, or modified his views of that office which he held. And may we not suppose that the apostle wished the world to understand, that if he were liberated, there would be no abatement of his zeal, no subduedness of tone in his speech, no mutilation of his message, and no accommodation of it so as to avoid. recurrence of the penalty, but all his old fervor and power...' (p. 272)

'AS. OUGHT TO SPEAK' -

Points to Note:

1. The word "ought" suggests moral obligation. The very nature of the gospel message deserves, morally demands. proper presentation. The gospel deserves. public and open proclamation. The gospel deserves to be preached without fear, without embarrassment, without being toned down, or apologized for (Romans 1:16).

2. And the fact that such. message has resulted in our salvation (James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23), demands that we present it in the exact form that it came to us, i.e. without any additions or subtractions (Acts 20:27).

3. We must realize that the survival and spread of this message is more important than our own survival or comfort.

4. Hendriksen notes, 'he probably had in mind some or all of the following particulars: a. Pray that. may speak clearly ("that. may make it clear"). b. boldly, that is, without fear or restraint ("telling all". c. Yet also graciously (see the context, Colossians 4:6 a).' (pp. 181-182)