Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 6:20

"for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." — Ephesians 6:20 (ASV)

For which I am an ambassador in bonds. This phrase means he was in chains or in confinement. There is something particularly moving in this. He was an ambassador sent to proclaim peace to a lost world, but he was now in chains.

An ambassador is a sacred character. No greater affront can be given to a nation than to put its ambassadors to death, or even to throw them into prison. But Paul says here that the unusual spectacle was witnessed of an ambassador seized, bound, confined, and imprisoned—an ambassador who should have the privileges granted to all such individuals and be permitted to go everywhere publishing the terms of mercy and salvation. (See the explanation of the word ambassador in the comments on 2 Corinthians 5:20).

That therein. The marginal note says, or thereof. The Greek, en autw, means in it; that is, Rosenmuller says, in the gospel. It means that in speaking the gospel he might be bold.

I may speak boldly. This means to speak openly, plainly, and without fear. (See the comments on Acts 4:13; Acts 9:27; Acts 13:46; Acts 14:3; Acts 18:26; Acts 19:8).

As I ought to speak. Whether in chains or free, Paul felt that the gospel should always be spoken with plainness and without the fear of man. It is remarkable that he did not ask them to pray that he might be released. Why he did not, we do not know; but perhaps the desire for release did not lie as close to his heart as the duty of speaking the gospel with boldness. It may be of much more importance that we perform our duty properly when we are afflicted, or are in trouble, than that we should be released.