as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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;
- KJV Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
- NKJV meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
- NASB praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
- NLT Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul asks for prayer that God would open opportunities to preach the gospel, even though he is imprisoned for it. It matters because the spread of Christ's message depends on God opening doors and on the prayers of his people.
Overview
Paul requests intercession not for his release but for an 'open door' to proclaim the mystery of Christ, the gospel once hidden and now revealed. His chains, far from silencing him, become the very context of his witness. The verse models a missionary heart that prizes gospel advance above personal comfort.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Eph 6:19–20Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Acts 14:27When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
- 2 Th 3:1–2Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
- Phil 1:13–14As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
- Col 1:26the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.
- 2 Cor 2:12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
- Col 2:2–3that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
- 1 Cor 16:9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.
- 1 Cor 4:1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
- 2 Tim 2:9for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained!
- Phil 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
- Rev 3:7–8To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
- Eph 4:1As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- 1 Th 5:25Brothers, pray for us as well.
- Matt 13:11He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
- Phil 1:19because I know that through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my distress will turn out for my deliverance.
- Heb 13:18–19Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
- Phlm 1:22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
- 2 Tim 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.
- Eph 3:1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
- Rom 15:30–32Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
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