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Ephesians 6:18-20

with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Ephesians 6:18-20 sits inside this longer paragraph.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints:

    on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,

    for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And praye all wayes with all maner prayer and supplicacion: and that in the sprete: and watch thervnto with all instance and supplicacion for all saynctes

    and for me that vttraunce maye be geve vnto me that I maye open my mouth boldly to vtter the secretes of the gospell

    whereof I am a messenger in bondes that therin I maye speake frely as it becommeth me to speake.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And pray alwayes with all maner prayer and supplication in the Spirit: and watch thereunto with all perseuerance and supplication for al Saints,

    And for me, that vtterance may be giuen vnto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to publish the secret of the Gospel,

    Whereof I am the ambassadour in bonds, that therein I may speake boldely, as I ought to speake.

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Cross-references (106)

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (v18) Pray without ceasing.
  • Colossians 4:2 (v18) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
  • Philippians 4:6 (v18) In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1 (v18) I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men:
  • Jude 1:20 (v18) But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
Show all 100 cross-references
  • Romans 8:26-27 (v18) In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession…
  • Mark 14:38 (v18) Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  • Luke 21:36 (v18) Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before…
  • Luke 18:1-8 (v18) He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear…
  • Matthew 26:41 (v18) Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
  • Daniel 9:20 (v18) While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my…
  • Colossians 4:3 (v19) praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
  • Ephesians 1:16 (v18) don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
  • Psalms 6:9 (v18) Yahweh has heard my supplication. Yahweh accepts my prayer.
  • Mark 13:33 (v18) Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
  • Luke 22:46 (v18) and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
  • Romans 12:12 (v18) rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
  • Acts 1:14 (v18) All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with…
  • Acts 4:29 (v19) Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
  • Hebrews 5:7 (v18) He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from…
  • Philippians 1:4 (v18) always in every request of mine on behalf of you all, making my requests with joy,
  • 1 Kings 8:52 (v18) that your eyes may be open to the supplication of your servant, and to the supplication of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever…
  • Psalms 4:1 (v18) Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 (v20) We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (v19) Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you,
  • 2 Timothy 1:3 (v18) I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
  • 1 Peter 4:7 (v18) But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
  • Acts 12:5 (v18) Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.
  • Genesis 32:24-28 (v18) Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day. When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man…
  • 1 Kings 8:54 (v18) It was so, that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to Yahweh, he arose from before Yahweh’s altar, from…
  • 1 Kings 9:3 (v18) Yahweh said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you…
  • Matthew 15:25-28 (v18) But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it…
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (v19) Brothers, pray for us.
  • 1 Kings 8:59 (v18) Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before Yahweh, be near to Yahweh our God day and night, that he may maintain the…
  • Daniel 6:10 (v18) When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he…
  • Job 27:10 (v18) Will he delight himself in the Almighty, and call on God at all times?
  • Luke 11:5-8 (v18) He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight, and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of…
  • Ephesians 6:19 (vv18, 20) on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
  • Isaiah 26:16 (v18) Yahweh, in trouble they have visited you. They poured out a prayer when your chastening was on them.
  • Hosea 12:4 (v18) Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with…
  • Zechariah 12:10 (v18) I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom…
  • Acts 6:4 (v18) But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”
  • Acts 10:2 (v18) a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
  • Hebrews 13:18 (v19) Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
  • Philemon 1:5 (v18) hearing of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints,
  • Esther 4:8 (v18) He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it…
  • Acts 4:31 (v19) When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the…
  • Romans 8:15 (v18) For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
  • Colossians 4:4 (v20) that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (vv19–20) but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God…
  • 2 Timothy 2:9 (v20) in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained.
  • Acts 28:31 (vv19–20) preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
  • Acts 13:46 (v19) Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it…
  • Acts 19:8 (v19) He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s…
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 (v19) But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this…
  • Ephesians 3:8 (v18) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
  • Ephesians 3:18 (v18) may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
  • 1 Corinthians 4:1 (v19) So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries.
  • Ephesians 1:9 (v19) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
  • Luke 3:37 (v18) the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
  • Acts 9:27 (v19) But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to…
  • Acts 14:3 (v19) Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to…
  • Acts 26:29 (v20) Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am,…
  • 1 Corinthians 1:5 (v19) that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12 (v19) Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
  • Ephesians 2:22 (v18) in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
  • Philippians 1:7 (v20) It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the…
  • Philippians 1:20 (v20) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will…
  • Colossians 2:2 (v19) that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that…
  • Philemon 1:22 (v19) Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
  • 1 John 3:16 (v20) By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
  • Proverbs 13:17 (v20) A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
  • Acts 2:4 (v19) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
  • Acts 4:13 (v19) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They…
  • Acts 5:29 (v20) But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
  • Acts 18:26 (v19) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of…
  • Acts 28:20 (v20) For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
  • Romans 15:30 (v19) Now I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God…
  • 1 Corinthians 2:7 (v19) But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,
  • 2 Corinthians 1:11 (v19) you also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many…
  • 2 Corinthians 7:4 (v19) Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our…
  • Galatians 4:6 (v18) And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
  • Ephesians 3:1 (v20) For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
  • Ephesians 4:1 (v20) I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called,
  • Philippians 1:13-14 (v20) so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ, and that most of the brothers in the…
  • Philippians 1:19-20 (v19) For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my…
  • 1 Timothy 3:16 (v19) Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached…
  • 2 Timothy 1:16 (v20) May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
  • Isaiah 58:1 (v20) “Cry aloud! Don’t spare! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins.
  • Jeremiah 1:7-8 (v20) But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. Don’t…
  • Ezekiel 2:4-7 (v20) The children are impudent and stiff-hearted. I am sending you to them, and you shall tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahweh says.’ They,…
  • Matthew 10:27-28 (v20) What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. Don’t be afraid of…
  • Acts 9:29 (v19) preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
  • Acts 21:33 (v20) Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had…
  • Ephesians 3:3-4 (v19) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my…
  • Colossians 1:4 (v18) having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have toward all the saints,
  • Colossians 1:26-27 (v19) the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make…
  • Philemon 1:10 (v20) I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,
  • Jude 1:3 (v20) Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend…
  • 2 Samuel 10:2-6 (v20) David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by his servants to…

100 distinct cross-references across this passage (106 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (24 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv18–20 18. Praying always with all prayer. Having instructed the…

18. Praying always with all prayer. Having instructed the Ephesians to put on their armor, he now enjoins them to fight by prayer. This is the true method. To call upon God is the chief exercise of faith and hope; and it is in this way that we obtain from God every blessing. Prayer and supplication are not greatly different from each other, except that supplication is only one branch of prayer

With all perseverance. We are exhorted to persevere in prayer. Every tendency to weariness must be counteracted by a cheerful performance of the duty. With unabated ardor we must continue our prayers, though we do not immediately obtain what we desire. If, instead of with all perseverance, some would render it, with all Earnestness, I would have no objection to the change.

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But what is the meaning of always? Having already spoken of continued application, does he twice repeat the same thing? I think not. When everything flows on prosperously, — when we are easy and cheerful, we seldom feel any strong excitement to prayer, — or rather, we never flee to God, but when we are driven by some kind of distress. Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass, — on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing with praying both in prosperity and in adversity.

For all saints. There is not a moment of our life at which the duty of prayer may not be urged by our own wants. But unremitting prayer may likewise be enforced by the consideration, that the necessities of our brethren ought to move our sympathy. And when is it that some members of the church are not suffering distress, and needing our assistance? If, at any time, we are colder or more indifferent about prayer than we ought to be, because we do not feel the pressure of immediate necessity, — let us instantly reflect how many of our brethren are worn out by varied and heavy afflictions, — are weighed down by sore perplexity, or are reduced to the lowest distress. If reflections like these do not rouse us from our lethargy, we must have hearts of stone. But are we to pray for believers only? Though the apostle states the claims of the godly, he does not exclude others. And yet in prayer, as in all other kind offices, our first care unquestionably is due to the saints.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v18 That holy prayers may proceed from the holy Spirit.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv18–20 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Praying always; i.e. in every opportunity, so often as…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v19 Our apostle having directed the Ephesians to the duty…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v19 Here, I. He desires their prayers for him, Eph…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Praying always - At all times, and on every…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Verse 18. Praying always] The apostle does not put…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv18–19 Eph 6:18. Praying always — As if he had…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Praying always - It would be well for the…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv18–20 always--Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency (Col…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv18–20 18. The image of the warrior in armour is…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv18–20 18. praying always] Lit., praying on every occasion, every…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv18–20 (18, 19) And supplication for all saints; and for…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv18–20 With all prayer and supplication praying. The metaphor of…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv18–20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v19 Chapter 30
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv18–20 18–20. Praying always. No one can wield the sword…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v18 Eph_6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in…
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v18
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v19 (See Scofield "Mat 13:11") .
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v19 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv18–19 6:18 Paul contrasts purely mental prayer with prayer in…
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