Grace and Truth

Bible Ministries

We are continuing in our examination of intercession as a facet of prayer as part of our study of the doctrine of Prayer as a mandate for the believer in the PPOG for the church age. Phil 4:6; 1Thes 5:17;

We are presently examining the intercessory prayer for evangelism that Paul requested from prison in the Ephesian and Colossian letters.

By requesting prayers for the opening of doors Col 4:3; Paul recognized that it is God's responsibility to provide opportunity for believer's to advance the gospel of grace. Acts 14:27; 2Cor 2:12; Rev 3:8;

In Col 4:3; the word translated "that" is ( ἵνα hina) and it introduces a purpose clause.

In this situation the opening of a "door for the word" was to be the subject of the prayers, and they were to pray, requesting that an open door for evangelism would be provided.

The words translated "will open" is aorist subjunctive of ( ἐξανοίγω anoigo ) which in this case is an ingressive aorist which carries the idea of ," might begin to open".

Paul was requesting prayers that God would begin to provide opportunities, for his witnessing while he was in prison.

Paul did not try to force opportunities in his own strength, but rather, through prayer, he depended on God to provide opportunities in grace.

Prayers for evangelism involves praying that believers will be given opportunities to witness.

In Eph 6:19-20; in view of his opportunity to witness of the mystery of the gospel of grace, Paul requests that his fellow believers intercede in prayer for him to be bold in his presentation.

The word translated "boldness" is (παρρησία parrhesia) which means the freedom to speak freely or plainly, with confidence and without fear.

Paul wanted believer's intercessory prayers for him so that God would give him the the courage to speak without any restraint from fear of the consequences. He did not want to feel restrained because of his fear of what would happen to him when he did witness to others. (remember he is in prison) . Prov 29:25a; cv John 12:42;

We could pray the same for the believers we know since most believers suffer from this inhibition because of fear of rejection.

Paul also requested intercessory prayers regarding the exact words that he would use in his speaking. Eph 6:19; The word translated "utterance" in the NASB is( λόγος logos ) see Net note 40

Paul was not trained as a professional orator. 2Cor 10:10; 2Cor 11:6; This is the first class condition of "if" so it could be translated "even though I am" see Net Note 14

Eph 6:19; The word translated "may be given" is the aorist passive subjunctive of ( δίδωμι didōmi ) indicates that he looked to God for both the message and the ability to speak.

Paul understood that effective witnessing must be initiated and enabled by God.

For him to be effecive, God had to enable him, consequently, Paul urged his fellow believers to pray that God would grant him proper wording and ability to speak clearly and precisely in his witnessing because it is the words that have the power. Rom 1:16;

Because the message Paul is to present is the "mystery of the Gospel" (Eph 6:19, cf. "mystery of Christ" Col 4:3), which is "Christ in you" Col 1:27; divine assistance would be needed in both its proclamation by him and its comprehension by those he is witnessing to. 1Cor 1:18-24;

The Greek word ( μυστήριον musterion ) translated mystery refers to the Church Age doctrine that God had withheld and then revealed to the apostles and prophets after the ascention of TLJC to heaven.

This is the information that TLJC was referring to in the upper room. John 16:12-13;

In Eph 3:3-7; Paul stated in the "mystery" had been revealed to him by direct revelation from God and it is beyond anyone's imagination 1Cor 2:9; Because of this, the presentation of this gospel needed to be given with divine clarity and precision if men are to comprehend it.