As Paul the
apostle concluded his instructions to the Ephesian church members
concerning putting on “the full armor of God”, he shared
how they were to be “praying with all prayers and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints”. In chapter six and verse nineteen
of his letter, Paul asked the Ephesians to “pray” for him
“that utterance” would “be given unto” him, so
that he “may open” his “mouth boldly, to make know
the mystery of the gospel”. We read:
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,
The
verse begins, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto
me,...” Paul began with the words, “And for me” which
refers to Paul himself, “that utterance” which means
“speech, words by a living voice which embodies a conception or
idea, a decree, mandate or order” “may be given” or
“granted, supplied, furnished, given over and delivered” “unto
me” which refers to Paul again. Paul desired to have the
“freedom” to share the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ wherever
he went.
The
verse goes on to say, “...that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,” Paul
continued, “that I may open”
or “with, by and in” “my mouth”
which refers to “the orifice in the face used for speaking”
“boldly” or
“freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, openly, frankly and
without concealment, ambiguity or circumlocution”, “to
make known” which means
“recognized, gain knowledge of or have thorough knowledge of”
“the mystery” or “hidden
thing, purpose or counsel, a secret and that which is not obvious to
the understanding” “of the gospel”
which is “the good news and the glad tidings of the kingdom
of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah,
the founder of this kingdom”. Although Paul was “bold”
in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, in this instance he asked the
Ephesians to “pray” that he would be “unreserved” in
sharing the great “secret” of God's gospel.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we may be able to identify with
his request. Often Christians are not “bold” in sharing
the “mystery of the gospel” of Jesus Christ, and “pray”
for them is the answer to their “fear”. Jesus Christ gave the
commission to His disciples to “preach the gospel”, and
those who “trust in, rely upon and cling to” Him must do the
same. May the Lord Jesus equip us through His Holy Spirit to take our
Heavenly Father's “good news” and “glad tidings” to whomever
He gives opportunity, and may we be “bold” and “free”
in sharing His great love He has for all people.
Next
time Paul shares how he is “an ambassador in bonds”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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