Ephesians 6 · Verse 19

Ephesians 6:19

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, King James Version

Ephesians 6:19 in other translations

BSBPray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
WEBPray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
ASVand on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
YLTand in behalf of me, that to me may be given a word in the opening of my mouth, in freedom, to make known the secret of the good news,
DARBYand for me in order that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the glad tidings,
BBEAnd for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news,
WebsterAnd for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

What does Ephesians 6:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. for me--a different Greek preposition from that in Ep 6:18; translate, therefore, "on my behalf." that I may open my mouth boldly--rather, "that there may be given to me 'utterance,' or 'speech' in the opening of my mouth (when I undertake to speak; a formula used in set and solemn speech, Job 3:1; Da 10:16), so as with boldness to make known," &c. Bold plainness of speech was the more needed, as the Gospel is a "mystery" undiscoverable by mere reason, and only known by revelation. Paul looked for utterance to be given him; he did not depend on his natural or acquired power. The shortest road to any heart is by way of heaven; pray to God to open the door and to open your mouth, so as to avail yourself of every opening (Jr 1:7, 8; Eze 3:8, 9, 11; 2Co 4:13).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. And for me. Paul was then a prisoner at Rome. He specially needed the prayers of Christians,

(1.) that he might be sustained in his afflictions; and

(2.) that he might be able to manifest the spirit which he ought, and to do good as he had opportunity. Learn hence that we should pray for the prisoner, the captive, the man in chains, the slave. There are in this land constantly not far from ten thousand prisoners--husbands, fathers, sons, brothers; or wives, mothers, daughters. True, they are the children of crime, but they are also the children of sorrow; and in either case, or both, they need our prayers. There are in this land not far from three millions of slaves--and they need our prayers. They are the children of misfortune and of many wrongs; they are sunk in ignorance and want and woe; they are subjected to trials, and exposed to temptations to the lowest vices. But many of them, we trust, love the Redeemer; and whether they do or do not, they need an interest in the prayers of Christians.

That utterance may be given unto me. Paul, though a prisoner, was permitted to preach the gospel. Acts 28:30, Acts 28:31.

That I may open my mouth boldly. He was in Rome. He was almost alone, he was surrounded by multitudes of the wicked. He was exposed to death. Yet he desired to speak boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to invite sinners to repentance. A Christian in chains, and surrounded by the wicked, may speak boldly, and may have hope of success--for Paul was not an unsuccessful preacher ever when a captive at Rome. Php 4:22.

The mystery of the Gospel. Eph 1:9.

(c) "that utterance" 2Thes 3:1 (*) "mystery" "truth"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me - Ἱνα μοι δοθειη λογος. Kypke has proved by many examples that λογον διδοναι signifies permission and power to defend one's self in a court of justice; and this sense of the phrase is perfectly applicable to the case of St. Paul, who was an ambassador in bonds, (Eph 6:20), and expected to be called to a public hearing, in which he was not only to defend himself, but to prove the truth and excellency of the Christian religion. And we learn, from Phi 1:12-14, that he had his desire in this respect; for the things which happened to him fell out to the furtherance of the Gospel, so that his bonds in Christ were manifest in all the palace, and in all other places. Thus God had enabled him to make a most noble defense, by which the Gospel acquired great credit. The mystery of the Gospel - The whole doctrine of Christ, not fully revealed previously to that time.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 6:19-24
The gospel was a mystery till made known by Divine revelation; and it is the work of Christ's ministers to declare it. The best and most eminent ministers need the prayers of believers. Those particularly should be prayed for, who are exposed to great hardships and perils in their work. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith. By peace, understand all manner of peace; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace among themselves. And the grace of the Spirit, producing faith and love, and every grace. These he desires for those in whom they were already begun. And all grace and blessings come to the saints from God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace, that is, the favour of God; and all good, spiritual and temporal, which is from it, is and shall be with all those who thus love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and with them only.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Ephesians 6:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiand alsoG2532
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
ἐμοῦ,emoume,G1473
ἵναinathatG2443
μοιmoito meG3165
δοθῇdothēamay be givenG1325
λόγοςlogosdivine utteranceG3056
ἐνeninG1722
ἀνοίξειanoixei[the] openingG457
τοῦtouof theG3588
στόματόςstomatosmouthG4750
μουmouof mineG3165
ἐνenwithG1722
παρρησίᾳparrēsiaboldnessG3954
γνωρίσαιgnōrisaito make knownG1107
τὸtotheG3588
μυστήριονmustērionmysteryG3466
τοῦtouof theG3588
εὐαγγελίου,euangeliougospel,G2098

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 6:19

  • Colossians 4:3

    Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

  • Acts 4:29

    And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:25

    Brethren, pray for us.

  • Hebrews 13:18

    Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

  • Acts 4:31

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:2

    But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

  • Acts 19:8

    And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

  • Acts 13:46

    Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • Acts 28:31

    Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:7

    Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

  • Ephesians 1:9

    Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
for.
Ro 15:30; 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19; Col 4:3; 1Th 5:25; 2Th 3:1; Phm 1:22
Heb 13:18
utterance.
Ac 2:4; 1Co 1:5; 2Co 8:7
that I.
Ac 4:13,29,31; 9:27,29; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 28:31
2Co 3:12; *marg:
2Co 7:4; Php 1:20; 1Th 2:2
the mystery.
1:9; 3:3,4; 1Co 2:7; 4:1; Col 1:26,27; 2:2; 1Ti 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 6:18

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • Ephesians 6:19

    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 6:20

    For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Read all of Ephesians 6

Ephesians 6:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y por mí, para que me sea dada palabra en el abrir de mi boca con confianza, para hacer notorio el misterio del evangelio,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et pour moi, afin qu’il me soit donné de parler à bouche ouverte pour donner à connaître avec hardiesse le mystère de l’évangile,
German
Elberfelder 1871		und für mich, auf daß mir Rede verliehen werde im Auftun meines Mundes, um mit Freimütigkeit kundzutun das Geheimnis des Evangeliums,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et pro me, ut detur mihi sermo in apertione oris mei cum fiducia, notum facere mysterium Evangelii: