The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 260

@woro l'tipJ'lied by the Spirit, the Word boing gathered into the "one body" tbo Church, inspired by him, and employed by the Spirit; that they mny ho upheld and co.rriou on, in for he enlightens us to know it, applies it to warfare 11nd iu work, by mutual pmyer, kept us, and teaches us to use it both defensively from slips and infirmities, nnd from dco.uly and offensi-<-ely. Our Lord in his conflict sins, nnd onablod ouo cmd all to " walk with Satan, and also with the scribes and worthy of tho vocation wherewith they arn Pharisees, bas taught us bow this weapon oalled." is t-0 be used, and with what wonderful Ver. 19.-And for me. Mnrk the un- C'fi'ect. Paul, too, reasoning from the Scrip- priestly idea; so fo.r from Paul having a tures and proving from them "that this store of grace for all the Galatians, he needed ,icsus whom I preach unto you is the tlieir prayers that, out of the·one living store, Christ," or (going back to the Old Testa- the needful grncemight be given to him. That ment) the author of the hundred and nine- ntteranoe may be given to me, in the opening teenth psalm, showing us how the soul is to of my month, to make known with boldness be fed, quickened, strengthened and com- the mystery of the gospel. With all hill forted out of God's Law, indicates the mani- practice in prenching, he felt tho.t every fold nse of the sword, and shows how earn- instance of right uttemnce was a gift-" may estly we should study and practice this be given to me;" especially when great sword ei;:eroise, for our OITTI good and the mntters were involved-"in the opening of good of others. ruy mouth." To open the mouth denotes o.n Ter. 1S.-W"rt.b. all prayer and supplica- o.uthoritati ve o.ct of teaching (comp. Matt. tion pr&.ymg. The metaphor of armour i8 v. 2); on such occasio11s he especially desired now droppe.d, but not the idea of the con- boldness, not stormy vehemence, but earnest- filct, for whar is now insisted on is of the ness, fearlessness in making known the most ntal ;,:nportancc for successful warfare. destination of the gospel, once secret, now Tl1ough prayer is virtually cJruprehended in designed for nll (comp. eh. ii.). Doldness most of the previous exhortations, it is now was needed because the message wo.s so hate- specifically enjoined, and in a great variety ful to some nnd so contemptible to others. of ways ; "all prayer and supplication," Ver. 20,-For whioh I am an ambassador equivalent to every form of it, e.g. ejacula- in chains. Thereby not only physioally tory, secret, spoken, domestic, social, con- helpless, but in danger of being subdued gregational. At all see.sons. No period of into tameness, the ordinary effect ot'cai.tivity, life should be without it-youth, middle and thus reduced to o. spirit not befitting the life, old age, all demand it ; no condition of bearer of o. great message from the King of life-ad rnrsity, prosperity, sunshine, desola- kings. That in it-i.e. in the matter of it, tion., under sore temptation., under important of the gospel-I may speak boldly, as I duty, under heavy trial, under all the ought to speak. changing circumstanc,es of life, personal, Vere. 21, 22.-Mlsslo:R OJ' TYCRIOUB. sxial, Chrb--tian. See the hymn- Ver. 21.-Bm that ye alao may know my "' Go, 'l<"hen the morning Ehineth; affairs, how I do. Having referred to his Go, wh'=!l the noon i.;; bright; co.ptinty, he thought it n.atlll'al for the Ephe- Go, 'l<"hen the d.av d6dineth; sians to desire more information about him, Go, in the bush of night." how be did or fared in his captivity. Tychi- ellB, the beloved brother and faithful minis- II: the Sp-'.ru;; fur true prayer is spiritual, ter in the Lord. Nothing more is known of and it is not trne i;rayer unlrES by the Holy him than that (with Trophimus) he was a Spirit the heart is filled with hta'l"enward man of Asia (Acts x:x. 4), who accompa.LLied lungings and aspirations, changing our Paul when travelling from Macedonio. to prayer from cold form to heartfelt realities. Asia, and was sent by him to various The ordinary habit of the soul should be Churohes (Col. iv. 7; 2 Tim. iv. 12; Titus prayerful, realizing the presence of God and iii. 12). 'l'he two qualities by which he is looking for his grace awl guidance. And noted, lovableness o.nd fidelity, ho.ve not only watching thereunto ; that is, " towards " served to embalm his name, but show that •piritual ity, against formality, as also against he ho.d much of Paul's own cho.ro.cter. Shall forgetfulness and neglect of prayer. Perhaps make Jmown to you all things. also the idea of watching for the answer is Ver. 22.-Whom I have sent unto you for involved, as you wait for an answer when this very purpose, that ye may know our you have despatehed a letter. In all perse- state, and that he may oomfort your heartll, verance; tuie being very specially needed to This serves to explain the o.bsonce of per- make pray£er triumphant, as in the case of sona.I remembrances, allusions, and messages the Syro-phomician mother, or in that of in the Epistle. Tychicus. who he.d his full Monica, mother of Augustine, and many confidence, would tell them all by word or more. And prayer for all aainte; this being mouth. The concluding words show that it one of the great ol,jects for which saints are was not to gratify o.ny mere personal feeling Cl/, VI. 1-24,J 'l'llE EPIS'rLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 20