of the clauses. Παῤῥησία (πᾶν ῥῆσις), the speaking out all, freespokenness. Here the dative with ἐν may be taken adverbially, freely, boldly ; keeping nothing back, but making an open, undisguised declaration of the Gospel. This includes, however, the idea of frank- ness and boldness of spirit, of which this unrestrained declaration of the truth is the expression. Μυστήριον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, mystery of the Gospel; the Gospel itself is the mystery, or divine revelation. It is that system of truth which had been kept secret with God, but which is now revealed unto our glory; 1 Cor. ay
V. 20. Ὑπὲρ οὗ, for the sake of which Gospel, πρεσβεύων ἐν ἁλύσει εἰμί, Lam an ambassador in bonds. An ambassador is one through whom a sovereign speaks. ‘ We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead be ye reconciled with God ;” 2 Cor. 5, 20. The apostles, as sent by Christ with authority to speak in his name, and to negotiate with men, proposing the terms of reconciliation and urging their acceptance, were in an eminent sense his ambassadors. As all ministers are sent by Christ and are commissioned by him to propose the terms of salvation, they too are entitled to the same honourable designation. Paul was an ambassador in bonds, and yet he did not lose his courage but preached with as much boldness as ever.
"Iva ἐν αὐτῷ παῤῥησιάσωμαι, that therein I may speak boldly. This may be taken as depending on ἵνα δοθῇ of ver. 19. The sense would then be, ‘ That
CHAP. VI. vs. 20. 21. 895.
utterance may be given to me—that I may speak boldly.’ But the preceding ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ γνωρίσαι de. pends on iva δοθῆ. The two clauses are rather parallel. Paul desired that the Ephesians should pray, ‘That utterance should be given him—that is, that he might
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preach boldly ;’ ὡς δεῖ we λαλῆσαι, as [ ought to speak. It becomes the man who is an ambassador of God, to speak with boldness, assured of the truth and import- ance of the message which he has to deliver. That even Paul should solicit the prayers of Christians that he might be able to preach the Gospel aright, shows the sense he had at once of the difficulty and of the importance of the work.
VY. 21. In conclusion the apostle informs the Ephe- sians that he had sent Tychicus to them to relieve their anxiety concerning him; ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε καὶ ὑμεῖς, but that ye also may know, i. 6. you as well as other Chris- tian friends who had manifested solicitude about me in my bonds; τὰ κατ᾽ ἐμέ, the things which concern me, i. 6. my circumstances ; ti πράσσω, not what 7 do, for that they knew already; but how 7 do. His health as well as his situation was a matter of anxiety to his friends. Zychicus shall make all known to you ; ὁ aya- πητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος ἐν κυρίῳ ; this admits of a twofold interpretation. It may mean that Tychi- cus was Paul’s διάκονος, servant as well as his brother. This view is commended, though not adopted by Cal- vin, and is advocated by many of the best commen- tators, on the ground that it is most natural that the two words ἀδελφὸς and διάκονος should have the same