Home -- English -- Ephesians -- 047 (Intercession for the missionary to the nations)
Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
Part 3 - An Introduction into the ethics of the apostle (Ephesians 4:1 – 6:20)
Intercession for the missionary to the nations (Ephesians 6:19-20)
Ephesians 6:19-20
6:19 “…and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:10-20).
At the end of his presentation of the armor of God for the messenger of God in our corrupt world, Paul took the freedom to ask for intercession for himself from his readers and listeners. This request from his churches is, at the same time, typical of the voice of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus, who hung on the cursed cross with raging pain, did not ask for an alleviation or a quick end to His suffering, Instead, it was just the opposite; He prayed for the forgiveness of His enemies, asking His Father in heaven for their, not His own, deliverance! (Luke 23:34) It was granted to Him that one of the two criminals, who were crucified alongside Him, heard, understood and believed this voice of truth. Thus Jesus could say to this imploring one that “today” you will be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:43).
In similar fashion, Paul did not ask for a quick ending of his bleak imprisonment, neither for better food nor for a judicial justification in the Roman Empire. He prayed for the Word of God! His petition was Spirit-led! He prayed for revelation, for inspiration and for spiritual hearing and recognition, so that he would not just give forth his own philosophy, but that he would remain a conduit for God´s creative, redeeming and renewing word! He was a true, precise and honest witness. Through this urgent request in the list of things he desired, his letters and speech came to receive authority, power and weight. The letter to the Ephesians became an inspiration of the merciful God, needing to be correspondingly read, understood and then acted upon.
The second sentence contains no direct prayer, but a definition of intent: “when I open my mouth!” (then fill it with Your word). Why do we open our mouth – to eat, to drink, to yawn or to give testimony? Paul had dedicated his tongue, his lips and his mouth to God, so that He would fill it with His authoritative word. As the one speaking, he wanted to remain a representative for the living God, just as he testified: “That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ´s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:19-20).
The third sentence of his request for intercession contains the experience that the courage of a person, along with his power and enthusiasm, is not enough to enable him to convey all that is contained in the word of God. Therefore, Paul asked for spiritual courage to be able to testify clearly, entirely and openly the word of his Redeemer, without any fear, concern or hesitation.
For Paul the mystery of the gospel contained grace that made the completed salvation in Christ valid, not only for Jews, but also for the unclean nations. The crucified and risen One had atoned for their sin before the holy God. Those trusting in this mystery became justified in the presence of the almighty God.
The next sentence was the confession of the apostle that he was the messenger of God, who had been commissioned to share this epoch-making mystery with the godless nations. However, this commissioned one lay for months, if not for years, in prison – in chains! Paul did not ask to be liberated from these shackles, which may have even caused pain, but rather, for his own ability to convey the word of God. Even in prison he wanted the courage and the authority to further speak forth this mystery of the gospel. His petition was answered by His risen Lord, in that He inspired the prisoner to write several important letters that would long speak even after he was murdered. His head that was amputated speaks to us even today!
All of this sounds very interesting, but Paul dictated these words to Tychicus, his amanuensis, under the watchful eyes and ears of the soldiers guarding him. Therefore, the prisoner in chains repeated that his request for spiritual courage and candour was pressing and decisive for him, for only then could he, either directly or indirectly, share the gospel with those guarding him. We need to once and for all grasp that all evangelization and the personal witness of every believer constitutes an attack and breaking into the kingdom of the prince of this world. Therefore, we are often uncertain or careful to openly speak the word of God, which then requires the leading of the Holy Spirit to overcome human inhibition.
At the end of this description of the armor of God stands the small word “may” or “must”! Paul witnessed that the Holy Spirit pressed him to testify of Jesus and His salvation. The spirit of the risen One in him overcame every caution and consideration, so that he could, at the right place and at the right time, always give fitting witness to the word of God! The “must” of the witness through the Holy Spirit also uncovers, however, one of the most frequent sins of saints –that is, they do not open their mouths when they should speak. If you live in Christ, then you must testify of Him! This requires neither false enthusiasm nor thoughtless speech, but rather, the merciful leading through the Spirit of God. It was in this sense the missionary to the nations asked of his churches prayer for his leading and courage to speak.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You that you have called us to the chains of being witnesses for Jesus Christ. We rejoice that You have given us the authority to further speak Your creative word. Forgive us all cowardice, laziness and disheartenment and fill our mouths with Your word, so that we will be able to , in the right moment, confess all that Your Spirit inspires in us to speak. Amen.
Question:
- What is it that came to your mind in this personal request of Paul?