the communion of saints, I am a prisoner of Jesus Christ.’
The expression, ὁ δέσμιος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, the prisoner of Christ, does not mean prisoner on account of Christ. Those for whom he suffered bonds are immediately afterwards said to be the Gentiles. It means Christ’s prisoner. As he was Christ’s servant, apostle, and min- ister, so he was Christ’s prisoner. In all his relations he belonged to Christ. He was a prisoner, ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν τῶν ἐθνῶν, for you Gentiles. It was preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles which brought down upon him the hatred of his countrymen, and led them to accuse him before the Roman magistrates, and to his being sent a prisoner to Rome.
V. 2. This verse is connected with the immediately preceding words.—‘ My apostolic mission is to the’ Gen- tiles; I am a prisoner for your sake, since ye have heard of the office which God has given me for your benefit.’ The word εἴγε rendered in our version by 7, does not necessarily express doubt. Paul knew that the Ephesians were aware that he was an apostle to the Gentiles. The word is often used where the thing spoken of is taken for granted. Eph. 4, 21. 2 Cor. 5, 8. In such cases, it may properly be rendered, since, inas- much as. It is only a more refined or delicate form of assertion. It is unnecessary, therefore, to assume either that this epistle was not addressed to the Ephe- sians particularly ; or that ἀκούειν is to be taken in the sense of bene intelligere (if so be ye have well under- stood) ; or that Paul, when preaching at Ephesus, had
—S- νονν.
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