Ephesians 81-82_31 Ephesians 6:18-24
Format: pdf
Publication Date: 06-09-1982
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
EPHESIANS 6:18-24
June 9, 1982
Tonight we close the book of Ephesians. And I’d like for you to take your Bibles and
go to Ephesians chapter six and we begin tonight with verse 18. Ephesians 6:18.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always [this is King James] with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;
The words “with all prayer” most frequently, Corps, those words shows a deep
dedicated unalterable commitment to God. When those words are used “with all prayer”
it’s giving preeminence to the individual’s personal devotional commitment to God. And I
think that is really unique as you will see as we go along in this verse. Those words
“praying always with all prayer” is a figure of speech, spelled p-o-l-y-p-t-o-t-o-n, which is
nothing more than just a repetition of words in different inflections in parts of speech. But
this figure emphasizes the need for continued prayer; praying always with all prayer. I said
to the staff and all of our workers, yesterday in a meeting that was held here at
International, that perhaps the most important thing that was…location here on the grounds
is the House of His Healing Presence. Because unless, we continue in prayer all the work
we do: building these tents, setting them up, getting everything ready so beautifully, will
all be rather insignificant. But as we continue in prayer and believing God—that’s why this
verse here is so tremendous. This emphasizes “praying always with all prayer” this figure
emphasizes the need for continued prayer. And that should be continually. The word
“supplication” can be translated a number of different ways, but the greatest I know is
specific requests or special objects of necessity, a supplication for a special need, Corps.
And we do this in the spirit. “…in the Spirit” is to pray in tongues. This praying in the
spirit has to be in tongues. Remember in 1 Corinthians 14, take a look at it. 1 Corinthians
14. In verse 14 of 1 Corinthians 14, it says:
1 Corinthians 14:14, 15a
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, [or if I pray in a tongue; it has to be
unknown], my spirit [what?] prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? [verse 15] I will pray with the spirit…
And to pray with the spirit then logically has to be praying how? In tongues, that’s right.
1 Corinthians 14:15b
…and I will pray with the understanding also:
And that is to pray in the language that you normally speak. That’s the “in spirit” of
this verse 18.
Now, I’ve translated this verse 18 as follows:
Ephesians 6:18 Literal translation according to usage
Praying in all seasons with every prayer and supplication spiritually and
watching every minute with all persistence and supplication on behalf of all
the saints.
[Repeats verse] “Praying in all seasons with every prayer and supplication spiritually
and watching every minute with all persistence and supplication on behalf of all the
saints.” Now, this is the expanded one, and I believe that this expanded one really
communicates the great truth of this verse.
Ephesians 6:18a Expanded translation
In your personal devotions,…
And I said to you those words “with all prayer” show a commitment to God giving
preeminence to personally devotion. That’s why I translated this in the expanded according
to usage, literal according to usage.
Ephesians 6:18a Expanded translation
In your personal devotions, believe and pray in tongues continually [believe
and pray in tongues continually] for specific objects of necessity [period].
I need a pen up here; there’s no pen here. A marking pen would be the best for
me…wanna? Thank you. Period. Then the next line:
Ephesians 6:18b Expanded translation
…And by praying in the spirit [comma], be on the watch [comma], be alert
[comma], continually and unceasingly [comma], for the specific objects of
necessity for yourself [comma], until you get it [period]. Do this on and in
behalf of all the saints also.
Now, just look at that again. “In your personal devotions…” You see, we just finished
verse 17 last week talking about the javelin of the spirit that was the Word of God and now
then he shifts to yourself; your own personal devotion. “In your personal devotion—
devotions—believe and pray in tongues, continually for specific objects of necessity.” The
word is not continuously, it is continually. And he explains this in the next line. “…And by
praying in the spirit…” you’ll be what? “…on watch,…” you’ll “…be alert, continually
and unceasingly…” He just reiterates it, says it again. “…for the specific objects of
necessity for yourself until you get it.” You see you can’t ever bless anybody else until you
get blessed first, here it is again. You have to have it. You have to receive it. So, in your
personal devotions, you believe and pray in tongues for specific objects of necessity. You
stay your mind on those specific objects of necessity. So, you stay on the watch for those
specific objects of necessity for yourself. You stay alert, continually and unceasingly.
Don’t get tired in your mind. Stay that way until you get it. Man what a wonderful verse.
You do this, on an in behalf of all the saints also. “…Do this on and in behalf of all the
saints also.” That’s how you can stay your mind on all the W-O-Ws all the Corps, all the
outreach of God’s Word around the world. This is the verse, pray in the spirit, continually
and unceasingly. Do this on and in behalf of all the saints also.
So, in your personal devotions you pray in the spirit so that you get the necessities that
you have met. The specific objects of necessity for yourself until you get it but then you
don’t stop there you keep on praying in the spirit in behalf of all the saints also, that is
verse 18. Verse 19 in King James reads:
Ephesians 6:19
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.
First of all the word “utterance” is the word logos, l-o-g-o-s—word. “Opening my
mouth” is a figure of speech, it’s an idiom. It’s a Semitic expression used of those who
begin speaking and continue speaking, and the emphasis is that a man’s heart, his soul, his
whole life has to be involved in what he says. “Boldly”—in Aramaic, this word “boldly”
goes with the phrase “to make known” and I think that’s where it belongs, which you will
see how I’ve handled it later on when I translate it for you here. It doesn’t go with opening
your mouth [chuckles]. It goes with making known boldly, to make known boldly. And
that boldness is not a bull in the China shop, kind of thing. It is to make it known with
clearness, clarity and with freedom in speaking it so that people can understand it. “…to
make known” is that word again to proclaim or to preach. There are six occurrences of this
word that we told you about dealing which making known the knowledge of the mystery.
Now, I’ve translated verse 19 as follows:
Ephesians 6:19 Expanded according to usage
And for me also [comma], in order that the Word may be given to me that I
may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
Now the expanded one:
Ephesians 6:19a Expanded translation
And for me, one of the saints also…
I think, Corps, this is absolutely beautiful here. In the closing section of Ephesians of
the book, we just had personal devotional prayer in the spirit in verse 18 and the last phrase
“in behalf of all the saints also” then verse 19, “and for me, one of the saints also”.
Ephesians 6:19b Expanded translation
[Paul]…, one of the saints also in order that the Word may be revealed to
me, that I will open my mouth in public to make known by preaching, and
plainly, the Mystery of the good news.
[REPEATS] “…that I will open my mouth in public to make known by preaching, and
plainly…” I have used the word “plainly” instead of boldly; putting the word preaching
and plainly together you have everything that that word boldly could possibly mean.
Ephesians 6:19c Expanded translation
…to make known by preaching, and plainly, the Mystery of the good news,
Now verse 20 King James:
Ephesians 6:20
For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as
I ought to speak.
These words, “I am an ambassador”—the foundation of those words are that he is an
imperial legate. It’s an imperial term used as an imperial legate. “…in bonds” is simply in
chains where many times the right hand or the right arm was bound to the left arm of the
soldier. I may speak boldly again, the same truth I just shared as I ought. “As I ought” is as
it is binding upon me, or as it behooves me. And I like that, “as it behooves me” very
much. It communicates clearly to my mind. Now, the translation of this verse:
Ephesians 6:20 Literal translation according to usage
For that I am an ambassador in chains, in order that I may speak boldly, as I
ought to speak.
Now, this is the expanded according to usage…literal according to usage.
Ephesians 6:20 Expanded translation
For I am his imperial ambassador; yet, because I preach the Mystery, I am
imprisoned, even chained [period]. Yet [comma], being in this awkward
situation [comma], that with confidence I will continue to speak the
Mystery boldly as it behooves me to speak it.
Now look at the beauty of the sense that this translation makes. On the closing out of
verse 19: made kno…
Ephesians 6:19b-20 Expanded translation
19 …make known by preaching and plainly the mystery of the good news
20 for I am his imperial ambassador yet because I preach the Mystery [I’m
in] I am imprisoned, even chained; yet, being in this awkward situation, that
with confidence I will continue to speak the Mystery boldly as it behooves
me to speak it.
Now verse 21, King James:
Ephesians 6:21
But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved
brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all
things:
This word “know” is the word recognize. Simply to know, that you may know, just
like you know you’re in the Corps meeting here tonight. That’s the word. Tychicus, carried
this epistle of Ephesians to Ephesus, according to Acts 20:4 he was a native Tychicus of
Asia. There’s a postscript in one of the manuscripts which attributes the writing of the
epistle to Tychicus, namely that Paul dictated it to him and Tychicus wrote it. The words
“in the Lord”—“in the Lord” is a sold out commitment in alignment and harmony. Not
only is Christ in him but he is so living that he is in the Lord, he is committed, he is sold
out, he’s a branded slave—does not back up on God’s Word but backs God’s Word up all
the way. And this “…shall make known”—this making known here is the sixth and final
occurrence of that key word in Ephesians. Now translated verse 21 as follows:
Ephesians 6:21 Literal according to usage
But that you may know also the things concerning me and how I am doing
[comma], behold Tychicus [comma], a beloved brother and faithful servant
in the Lord [comma], shall make known to you all things [period].
I’ll do it again for you.
Ephesians 6:21 Literal according to usage [REPEATS]
But that you may know also the things concerning me and how I am doing
[comma], behold Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the
Lord [comma], shall make known to you all things.
Now here’s the expanded one:
Ephesians 6:21 Expanded translation
But that you may know all the affairs regarding me also [comma], and the
things that I am doing [comma], behold [comma], Tychicus, a beloved
brother and a sold-out, committed, and trust-worthy slave in our Lord, shall
make known to you, by bringing you this epistle, everything that I am
doing.
Shall read it to you again. This is the literal according to usage.
Ephesians 6:21a Literal according to usage
But that you may know all the affairs regarding me also, and the things that
I am doing, behold, Tychicus, a beloved brother…
See that’s real neat to me. Paul loved him and he loved Paul. Tychicus, much like
Timothy, just a beloved brother to Paul, but he was not only a beloved brother the next
word is:
Ephesians 6:21b Expanded translation
…and a sold-out, committed, and trustworthy slave in our Lord...
He walked the talk and talked the walk, he did it. Not only did Paul love him and he
and Paul were real intimate with each other but he was sold out committed trust worthy
slave in the Lord…in our Lord
Ephesians 6:21b Expanded translation
…shall make known to you by bringing you this epistle, everything that I
am doing.
Verse 22, King James.
Ephesians 6:22 KJV
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our
affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
You see in verse 21 in King James “…that ye all also may know my affairs,…how I
do…” turns right around here in verse 22 “Whom I have sent unto you for the same
purpose, that ye might know our affairs,…”—it just can’t quite be that, there has to be an
expansion; and there is. There is not much in the Greek text here that I need to share with
you. I think the ext…literal according to usage there that I’ve done will help you in verse
22. So, I’ll give you the translations because the word “purpose” we’ve handled before, the
word “know” we have handled before. And you certainly all know what the word
“comfort” is. So, verse 22 I’ve translated:
Ephesians 6:22 Literal translation according to usage
Whom I send to you for this purpose in order that you will know the things
concerning me and that he would comfort your hearts.
Now, here’s the expanded one:
Ephesians 6:22a Expanded translation
I am sending Tychicus specifically to you concerning all of this [comma], in
order that you may know what is happening to me…
See it’s not just regarding his immediate affairs but everything that’s happening to him.
You know people came to visit him, this kind of thing, the whole thing, it’s…that’s why I
translated it this way:
Ephesians 6:22b Expanded translation
…in order that you may know what is happening to me and that he will
comfort and encourage your hearts.
Now, I can understand this very easily. Those people in Ephesus were real concerned
about Paul being not only imprisoned but chained. And that’s why when Tychicus,
delivered the epistle that was one thing but when he spoke to them regarding Paul, then he
would bring them comfort. Comfort is a quiet acquiescence. And secondly, he would
encourage them. You see just to have the comfort isn’t enough, he encouraged them and
said look let’s go on, let’s move the Word. Even though Paul is imprisoned in chains, he
loves you; he’s praying for you, he is speaking in tongues for you. So, let’s be encouraged,
let’s move on. Comfort their hearts, the inner most part of their being. And knowing how
that…they must have felt about Paul how tremendous that verse is, that Tycicus would
comfort them, Paul said and also encourage them to move on. Now verse 23 in King
James:
Ephesians 6:23
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace is another one of those words that is a key word in Ephesians, which I’ve taught
you. It’s used in the opening of verse chapter 1 verse 2 and here at the close of the Book of
Ephesians, in 6:23. This “peace” along with “grace” and here you have in 23:
Ephesians 6:23 Literal translation according to usage #1
Peace to the brethren, love [with faith, that’s love with believing, that’s love
in action,] with believing from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Two not one; God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now translated it as follows:
Ephesians 6:23 Literal translation according to usage #2
Peace to the brethren and love with believing from God the Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Three tremendous words in that first phrase: “peace to the brethren” “love with
believing” peace, love, believing. What a fantastic conclusion to this whole great epistle of
Ephesians. The pinnacle of all truth the book of Ephesians. And then you have from God
the Father, that’s one, and the Lord Jesus Christ is two (not one). The expanded translation
is as follows: I don’t think it’s expanded much according to usage.
Ephesians 6:23 Expanded translation
Peace to the brethren and love with believing for all the brethren…
Boy how thankful I am to God that it doesn’t say “and like for all the brethren”; it says
love. This is most remarkable, Corps. Sometimes you just can’t like some of the brethren
because what they’re doing is contrary to what you really believe and know to be the truth
of the rightly divided Word. Yet they’re born again. For they have confessed with their
mouth to the Lord Jesus and they do believe God raised him from the dead and if he did
they are what? Saved, and if they are saved [taps] they are saved [taps]. They are no less
saved then you are saved or I am saved. You are either saved or you ain’t saved, right?
And no matter whether I like it or don’t like it has nothing to do with it. The Word of God
says I have to love the brethren. I have to love them. And to love [taps] is possible. To like
what they do at times, like when people are born again and then they say speaking in
tongues is of the devil, you see, still have to love them, but I sure don’t like what they’re
saying, so we have to love the brethren. [Chuckles] Boy I hope you understand this. Every
person who is born again of God’s spirit is going to be in the gathering together. And
therefore I have to love all of those who are born again. And I have to love them with the
love of Christ, people. The Word of God has not instructed me to like everything they do
but it has instructed me to love. And that I can, and that I do. Verse 24 the final verse of
this great record of God’s Word. In King James reads:
Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them [who love, or] that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity…
Sincerity is incorruptibility. Center margin has, with incorruption. Grace is unmerited
favor. And again, the word love. That love, our lord Jesus Christ, without corruption,
perhaps the word “purity” with no incorruption whatsoever. This last verse, really, includes
those who are walking in the household on the greatness on the Word, that love our Lord
Jesus Christ, in all purity without any corruption in it. Because they have heard the Word
of God, they know the Word of God and they live the Word of God. They not only know
the Word but they are held by the Word. It is one thing to know the Word and something
else to be held by that Word. You can hold the Word in your head and not be held by the
Word. The word “amen” simply is so shall it surely and truly be. Or perhaps very simply,
so be it. I’ve translated verse 24 as follows:
Ephesians 6:24 Literal translation according to usage
Grace be unto all who love our Lord Jesus Christ without corruption
[period]. Amen.
The expanded one:
Ephesians 6:24 Expanded translation
Grace be unto and upon all of you who love our Lord Jesus the Christ in all
purity.
Grace be unto you and upon all of you who love our Lord Jesus the Christ in all purity.
Period. So be it. Period.
I feel and believe that it is uniquely significant and wonderful, for the Corps meeting
on this Wednesday night just preceding the opening of the class on Living Victoriously,
and I am truly blessed to realize that in the last two verses of this great revelation in the
Book of Ephesians, four words are used that I’ll be handling during the Living
Victoriously class. The last word used in Ephesians is the word “grace.” And this is not
only remarkable but it is spiritually significant because the grace of God is the foundation
on which everything is built. He closes out the great record of the Book of Ephesians on
the foundation of grace—God’s grace, unmerited favor, then he builds on that: believing of
verse 23 preceded by the word “love,” preceded by the word “peace.” Four great words
that we will be handling with our people that are coming to the Living Victoriously class,
because we’re going to be handling living victoriously with peace, with love, with
believing and in grace.
So this is how, the great epistle that Paul wrote—God gave it to him and Paul wrote to
the church in Ephesus which is the same great truth that he’s addressing to the church of
the body this day ends with so be it, amen. And my prayer is that so may it be for the Way
Corps, not only tonight but until the Return of Christ. Shall we pray.
[Prayer] Our gracious and loving heavenly Father, my heart is filled with thanksgiving
and love and peace and joy and your great presence and power, and I thank you for your
grace to us and especially to me in allowing me to teach the greatness of the revelation
that you kept secret from the foundation of the world and first revealed to the Apostle Paul
to teach it to the Way Corps again this year. Thank you Father, for allowing us to live and
to be together and to be a part of the greatness of your Word and I thank you for all the
Way Corps of the present, of the past, and of the future and may they be the leaders to hold
forth your Word like Tychicus was slaved, sold out, committed, walking the Word, talking
the Word and holding forth the Word. And so may the Word again live Father, in our day
and in our time through your people who believe it. So be it this night and forever, in
Christ Jesus name, that name which is above every name Father, your only begotten son,
my lord and savior, I pray, amen.
God bless, that’s the end of Ephesians. {Audience applause.}