What Does Ephesians 6:19 Mean?
And for me, that a word may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, so that I may make known with open speech the sealed thing of the gospel.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,THE KEY
The request treats both the message and the freedom to voice it as gifts, so what is hidden can become known through open speech.
THE MEANING
The verse traces speech from a given utterance, through an opened mouth, to the mystery made known with parrēsia, open, unguarded speech. For you, disclosure is a received act: the words are given, and openness carries what is hidden into speech.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It loosens the belief that you must force the perfect words into existence before you can speak the gospel; here, the utterance itself is asked for as a gift.
THE ROOT
παρρησίᾳ
parrēsia
GROWS FROM
παρρησ- (parrhēs-), from πᾶς (pas, all) + ῥῆσις (rhēsis, speech)
Frank, open speech, the freedom to speak plainly and without concealment.
“with open speech” in this verse is parrēsia. English “boldly” can sound like fearlessness or force of personality; παρρησία points to the openness of the speech itself. The verse asks for this freedom so the mystery can be spoken into the open.
ALSO GROWS
rhēsis: Speech or the act of speaking.
ῥῆσις
This is the speech element in παρρησία, making its boldness a quality of open saying.
parrēsiazomai: To speak with frankness and freedom.
παρρησιάζομαι
This verb turns the noun’s openness into an action, as in the requested bold speaking here.
λόγον
logon
GROWS FROM
λεγ- (leg-), from λέγω (legō)
Say, tell, speak; λόγος names what is said or the message spoken.
“word” in this verse is logon. English “utterance” can sound like the speaker’s output, but λόγος can name the message itself. Because that λόγος is asked for as something given, the speech begins as received content before it becomes public disclosure.
ALSO GROWS
legō: To say or tell something.
λέγω
This verb belongs to the speaking family behind λόγος and brings its connection to spoken words into view.
logion: A saying or divine utterance.
λόγιον
This related form shows λόγος as meaningful spoken content carried as a message, not merely sound.
THE PATTERN
The message is received, while openness is the freedom that lets it be spoken.
But when they lead you and hand you over, do not divide your mind beforehand over what you will speak, nor rehearse it; but whatever is given you in that hour, speak that, for it is not you who speak, but the Set-Apart Breath.And now, LORD, look upon their threats, and give your servants to speak your word with all boldness.Holding then such hope, we speak with wide-open mouths.THE THREAD
And now, LORD, look upon their threats, and give your servants to speak your word with all boldness.“Boldness” here translates the same Greek word, παρρησία (parrēsia), as “boldly” in Ephesians 6:19. One verse asks for open speech to make the mystery known; the other asks for that same openness in speaking the word.
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