Charles Ellicott 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)

In bonds. This means, as correctly noted in the margin, in a chain. The word is the same one that is used in Acts 28:20, For the hope of Israel I am bound in this chain. It also occurs in Mark 5:4 and Luke 8:29, where it is distinguished from a fetter (which, properly speaking, binds the feet), and therefore obviously signifies a manacle binding the hand.

Both are included in the general word "bonds." The allusion is undoubtedly to the custom of chaining the prisoner by the hand to the soldier who guarded him. Thus, in Acts 12:6, we read that Peter was sleeping between two soldiers and therefore bound with two manacles; and in Acts 21:33, that a similar precaution was used at the initial arrest of St. Paul.

Here, the singular number is probably to be understood literally. St. Paul was free except for the one chain, which the soldier was responsible for holding, and perhaps did not always think it necessary to hold. He seems to speak of that chain as the badge of his ambassadorial dignity. Indeed, while ambassadors are entitled to be safe from imprisonment, it was his greater glory to wear the chain for Christ.

That therein . . . This is simply a reinforcement of the previous phrase, concerning “plainness of speech.” The same word is used, and with the same meaning of simplicity as well as boldness, which (St. Paul here adds) alone suits his office.