Ephesians 6:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"With all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterance may be given to me through my mouth." What are you saying, blessed Paul? Do you really need your disciples? And it is well said: "through my mouth." Without any doubt, he did not spend a long time learning what he would say. But as Christ said, "When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you should speak. For in that hour what you should speak will be given you" (Mt 10:19). So he also did everything by faith and with the cooperation of grace. "To make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel," that is, that I may defend it as I ought. You are bound in chains. Is this why you need others? Yes, he answers. But when Peter was bound in chains, there was also prayer for him, and indeed unceasing prayer.

"And for me." Therefore one must not pray only for oneself. But notice his humility. He places himself last and asks his disciples to pray, though he is the one who was in bonds for Christ. Peter too was in bonds, and earnest prayer was made for him by the Church. "That utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth." Therefore he is not anxious about what to say. As Christ said, "Do not be anxious how or what you are to speak, for in that hour what you are to say will be given you" (Mt 10:19). So Paul also, opening his mouth, conveyed what God commanded. Thus he accomplished everything by divine grace. From this you may understand the spiritual sword, which is the word of God. "To make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel." That is, that I may defend myself as a preacher of the faith, as I ought, with boldness, courage, and great prudence.

And pray for me, that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth. That is, that there may be no fear or confusion in me, but that I may proclaim that mystery with boldness.

"And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying in the Spirit at all times, with every prayer and supplication, and watching in it with perseverance and prayer for all the saints and for me." The word of God flows from the Holy Spirit. What is hostile is spoken from the earth and takes its beginning from there. For he who is of the earth speaks from the earth. But He Who comes from God is above all, and testifies to what He has seen and heard (Jn 3:31-32). Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates even to the depths of soul, bones, and marrow (Heb 4:12). This Spirit cuts and divides, causing one to advance through the prayer and supplication of those who at all times pray to the Lord in the Spirit.

The Apostle asks them to pray for him in two ways: that his thoughts may be filled with the Spirit for proclaiming the mystery of the gospel, and that boldness in preaching may be given to him. Such prayer is pleasing to God.

“And for me.” Why do you need this prayer? “That a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth.” What exactly is to be said? “With boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel,” “for which I am an ambassador in chains, that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ask also for me courage, boldness, and abundance in speech, so that I may complete the course according to the divine law. Again he pointed to his chains, encouraging them and teaching them not to be troubled or ashamed by sufferings for the Master. Rather, they should magnify and boast in them.

Those whom Paul exhorts, instructs, and evangelizes, he asks for help in prayer. He himself says what this thing is that he asks for himself, adding: “That a word may be given to me, that with my mouth opened I may boldly proclaim the mystery.”

“Praying also for me.” The Apostle asks prayers for himself, thereby teaching that the prayers of the Church are more important and higher than all persons placed in Her. “That a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth.” The very gift of apostleship could grow poor and be taken from the Apostles, if it were not kindled by prayer and labors. The prayers of the Church could have their own significance in this.

At the conclusion of his epistle, the Apostle first asks for prayers for himself, “that a word may be given to him, that he may openly and boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” Second. He speaks of the embassy of Tychicus to the Ephesians, so that he may tell them “about his circumstances and deeds,” and thereby comfort their hearts. Finally, he sends peace, love, and grace to the brethren, with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ unwaveringly.

After speaking of prayer as one of the means for struggling against the enemies of salvation, the Apostle asks them to pray also for him. To this he adds what he finds possible to communicate about himself, while entrusting Tychicus to tell everything in detail. The epistle itself was sent with Tychicus. The Apostle certainly prayed himself, but he knew how great the power of the prayer of the whole Church is. Therefore he asked for it for the common good, that he might be freed from bonds. So also the holy Apostle Peter was freed from prison by common prayer (Acts 12). According to His Grace Theophan: "St. Paul could not fail to suppose that news of his imprisonment had reached the Ephesians. From this circumstance they themselves could imagine many things.

The struggle itself should begin with diligent prayer in communion with the Holy Spirit (έν πνεύματι; cf. Rom 8:26). To this exhortation the Apostle adds a request that they pray for him. He asks that, as Christ’s authorized ambassador, he may be granted in Rome the same freedom as the ambassadors of other kings (vv. 18-20).

"And for me," that is, pray. This is not a mere formality, nor only a testimony to St. Paul's humility. It is a manifestation of the holy Apostle's faith that the prayer of the Church is powerful before God. In Acts it is said of the Apostle Peter that his release from prison at night, before he was to be handed over to death the next morning, was also the fruit of the prayer of all the faithful (Acts 12). On the part of the Ephesians, such prayer was a duty toward the one who had enlightened them with the true faith. This also indicates to us that we should pray for our spiritual fathers. We should pray for all who in any way have helped, or still help, the work of our salvation. For what does St. Paul ask them to pray? For freedom to preach the Gospel.