John Calvin 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)

As I ought to speak; meaning that to proclaim the truth of the gospel as it ought to be proclaimed is a high and rare attainment. Every word here deserves to be carefully weighed. Twice he uses the expression boldly—that I may open my mouth boldly, and that therein I may speak boldly. Fear hinders us from preaching Christ openly and fearlessly, while the absence of all restraint and disguise in confessing Christ is demanded from His ministers. Paul does not ask for himself the powers of an acute debater, or, I should rather say, of a dexterous sophist, that he might shield himself from his enemies by false pretenses. It is, that I may open my mouth, to make a clear and strong confession; for when the mouth is half shut, the sounds which it utters are doubtful and confused. To open the mouth, therefore, is to speak with perfect freedom, without the smallest dread.

But does not Paul discover unbelief when he entertains doubts as to his own steadfastness and implores the intercession of others? No. He does not, like unbelievers, seek a remedy that is contrary to the will of God or inconsistent with His word. The only aids on which he relies are those which he knows to be sanctioned by the Divine promise and approval.

It is the command of God that believers should pray for one another. How consoling then must it be to each of them to learn that the care of his salvation is enjoined on all the rest, and to be informed by God Himself that the prayers of others on his behalf are not poured out in vain!

Would it be lawful to refuse what the Lord Himself has offered? Each believer, no doubt, ought to have been satisfied with the Divine assurance that as often as he prayed he would be heard. But if, in addition to all the other manifestations of His kindness, God were pleased to declare that He will listen to the prayers of others on our behalf, would it be proper that this bounty should be slighted, or rather, ought we not to embrace it with open arms?

Let us therefore remember that Paul, when he resorted to the intercessions of his brothers, was influenced by no distrust or hesitation. His eagerness to obtain them arose from his resolution that no privilege that the Lord had given him should be overlooked. How absurdly then do Papists conclude from Paul’s example that we ought to pray to the dead! Paul was writing to the Ephesians, to whom he had it in his power to communicate his sentiments. But what intercourse have we with the dead? As well might they argue that we ought to invite angels to our feasts and entertainments, because among men friendship is promoted by such acts of kindness.