vigilant, not allowing themselves to become weary or negligent. “Ev πάσῃ προςκαρτερήσει καὶ δεήσει περὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων, with all perseverance and supplica- tion for all saints. ‘ Perseverance and supplication” amounts to persevering or importunate supplication. In Rom. 12, 12, the expression is, τῇ mposevyf προς- καρτεροῦντες, continuing instant in prayer. This per- severing supplication is to be offered for all the saints. The conflict of which the apostle has been speaking is not merely a single combat between the individual Christian and Satan, but also a war between the people of God and the powers of darkness. No soldier enter- ing battle prays for himself alone, but for all his fellow- soldiers also. They form one army, and the success of one is the success of all. In like manner Christians are united as one army, and therefore have a common cause ; and each must pray for all. Such is the com- munion of saints, as set forth in this Epistle and in other parts of Scripture, that they can no more fail to take this interest in each other’s welfare, than the hand can fail to sympathize with the foot.
V. 19. The importance which the apostle attributed to intercessory prayer and his faith in its efficacy are evident from the frequency with which he enjoins the duty, and from the earnestness with which he solicits such prayers in his own behalf. What the apostle wishes the Ephesians to pray for, was not any temporal blessing, not even his deliverance from bonds, that he might be at liberty more freely to preach the Gospel, but that God would enable him to preach with the
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