Ephesians 6:19-20

Ephesians 6:19-20

[19] And  for  that  utterance  may be given  that I may open  mouth  boldly,  to make known  the mystery  of the gospel,  [20] For  which  I am an ambassador  in  bonds:  that  therein  I may speak boldly,  as  ought  to speak. 

What does Ephesians 6:19-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul sensed his own great need for the prayer support of his readers. It was incongruous that an ambassador of Christ should be in chains. He was in heavenly places, but he was also in earthly confinement. An encounter with spiritual enemies awaited him when he would make his defense before Caesar Nero. Paul wanted utterance and boldness to characterize his witness. Utterance probably refers to clarity of communication and boldness to courage. He needed bold utterance and courageous clarity in all of his ministry opportunities, but especially in the defense he anticipated in the imperial court (cf. Acts 28:30-31). There are nine references in Acts alone to various people witnessing boldly ( Acts 4:13; Acts 4:29; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:27-29; Acts 14:3; Acts 18:26; Acts 19:8; Acts 13:46) plus others elsewhere in the New Testament (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:12).
"The word for "boldness" is made up of two words meaning "all" and "speech." It signifies the attitude when one is completely at home and the words flow freely. Thus it may mean "outspokenness," or "frankness." When a person is speaking in this way, he or she is not in the least afraid, and thus the expression comes to signify "boldly."" [1]
"Note that Paul did not ask them to pray for his comfort or safety, but for the effectiveness of his witness and ministry." [2]
The mystery of the gospel (i.e, God"s provision of salvation through Jesus Christ) needed defending in Rome because the Romans viewed Christianity as simply a sect within Judaism (cf. Acts 18:12-17). The Jews saw it as a heretical religion (cf. Acts 21:27-28).