Word of Encouragement (5/20/2021)

We are continuing our reflection on Paul’s exhortation on and request for prayer in Eph. 6:18-20: “...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

After exhorting the Ephesians to keep alert and pray for all the saints, he asks them to pray for him: “...also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Paul told them to pray “with all prayer and supplication”—all kinds of prayers on all kinds of occasions for all kinds of things, as long as they did not forget that they were engaged in a spiritual battle. But for himself, he asked for only one thing—that God would help him to proclaim the mystery of the gospel boldly by giving him words to speak.

Interestingly enough, Paul called himself “an ambassador in chains.” This was because he was in prison at the time he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, are called the Prison Letters for the obvious reason that Paul wrote them while he was in prison. What would you have asked other Christians to pray for you if you were in prison? Perhaps, for a speedy release from the prison?

Paul’s prayer request shows how he kept his mission at the forefront of his mind and heart. He never forgot that his Apostolic mission was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It would have been easy for him to think that the gospel preaching is done only in certain settings and circumstances—in Jewish synagogues or marketplaces or someone’s homes, for example. But Paul must have learned from his many years of ministry that the gospel preaching should be done whenever and wherever God gives him the opportunity, even in his chains and in the tribunal of the emperor. He knew that he did not have to be released from prison to preach the gospel. He was willing to stay in prison as long as his mouth was not muzzled. Having learned this and practiced this, Paul advised Timothy, “...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Notice also how Paul repeatedly asked the Ephesians to pray for his boldness: “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..., that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” I find this very touching and encouraging. By all accounts, Paul was a courageous messenger of the gospel. He did not back down from preaching the gospel on account of threats and dangers. Yet, this prayer request for boldness shows that even Paul was not without fear. If he was courageous, it was not because he did not have fear but because he overcame it with faith, prayerfully relying on the power of the Holy Spirit: “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:3-4). How encouraging this is! He was a man with a nature just like ours. But he was able to do what he did through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Would you please pray for me that I would be bold in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ? That I would not compromise the truth of the gospel in fear of men, or in pursuit of men’s approval? That, in being bold, I’d be gentle yet firm, truthful yet winsome? And would you pray this prayer for all the pastors and missionaries, who preach the gospel? And would you pray this prayer for yourselves, as well, that, when the Lord provides you with the opportunity to share the gospel, God would give you the words to speak and you would be bold?

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