An Ambassador in Bonds Ephesians 6:20

Paul the apostle desired for the Ephesian church members to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”, and to be “praying” for him as well “that utterance may be given unto” him so he “may open” his “mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel”. In chapter six and verse twenty of his letter Paul wrote of himself being “an ambassador in bonds” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “For which I am an ambassador in bonds:” Paul began with the words, “For which” or “in behalf of, for the sake of, over, beyond and more than” “I am an ambassador” which means “to be older, prior by birth or in age who acts as a representative” “in bonds” which refers to “a chain by which the body or any part of it (such as the hands and feet) is bound ”. Although Paul was in prison because he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, he still considered himself Jesus' representative.

The verse goes on to say, “that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Paul continued, “that therein” or “in, by and with” “I may speak boldly” or “to use freedom in speaking, be free spoken to speak freely, to grow confident, have boldness, show assurance and assume a bold bearing” “as I ought” or “as it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper” “to speak” which means “to utter a voice or emit a sound, articulate and tell”. Paul desired an even greater “freedom” to share the gospel as he considered it “necessary and proper” to do so.

When we think through these words of Paul, we may be challenged to be as he was - “an ambassador” for Jesus Christ. If we have received Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, we are His “representative” in this world. Our lives reflect our relationship with Jesus, and when others encounter us, we must know we are His “ambassador” and not simply our own. Though we may or may not be in prison as was Paul, we must still be “compelled” to share the gospel with everyone we encounter, and may the Lord give us “boldness” to “speak” as we “ought” when those opportunities arise.

Next time Paul shares about a man named “Tychicus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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