4/02/18 Ephesians 6:19-24 “Spiritual warfare and suffering”

We now get to the concluding comments of this epistle, personal requests and acknowledgements, greetings and farewells.

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,

utterance – logos See 1 Corinthians 12:8 – For to one is given by the Spirit the word (logos) of wisdom; to another the word (logos) of knowledge by the same Spirit;

Paul wasn’t asking for the ability to say something; rather, he was asking for the right words to say when he needed to say them.

Matthew 10:19 – But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

It is the hearing of the word of the gospel that leads to our faith in the One who promises such salvation.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Where “word” is rhema or the utterance (of God).

Note also that while the gospel is acknowledged to be a mystery (mysterion), Paul also desires to make it known to those to whom he speaks.

boldly – (“in boldness”) with confidence; openly; frankly; without reserve; without ambiguity.

Ephesians 6:20 – For which I am an ambassador in bonds (in a chain): that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

boldly – the verb form of “boldly” in Vs 19 above.

ought – ought; necessary; right and proper

When you are in prison, you might feel like being very careful about what you say and to whom you say it! However, as an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) Paul had an obligation to his ministry to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16), to preach the word, in season, out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) without fear of those who might be listening; thus, to speak boldly.

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:

my affairs – those things concerning me

Tychicus – See Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12 (where Paul notes that Tychicus has been sent to Ephesus); Titus 3:12.

beloved – agapetos

faithful minister – pistos diakonos

Because Paul, being in prison, was unable to personally make known his affairs to the Ephesians, he sent a faithful (trustworthy) servant whom he trusted to share truthfully concerning Paul’s situation and needs. Tychicus therefore became Paul’s spokesman, sharing Paul’s words with the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:22 – Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and [that] he might comfort your hearts. (see Colossians 4:8)

comfort – parakaleo (to summon; address; comfort; instruct; admonish; exhort; beg; entreat; beseech; encourage; strengthen; teach) cf parakletos (translated Comforter in John 14:16 and Advocate in 1 John 2:1. Advocate is probably the more correct translation = one who pleads another’s cause before a judge; an advocate; one who pleads another’s cause with one; an intercessor.)

Tychicus has been sent for the same purpose that Paul would have liked to have been with them personally: that those at Ephesus would know how things were going with them at Rome and that their hearts might be comforted by knowing these things. It could be translated as “beseech” (entreat) as in the following:

Ephesians 4:1 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Thus, in the context of today’s passage, Paul could be entreating them to pray for him to “have utterance” to “open” his “mouth to speak boldly” – Vs 19 above.

Ephesians 6:23-24 – ²³ Peace [be] to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace [be] with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.

Note that in Ephesians 1:1 that the greeting was to the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus, while the benediction here is to the brethren, and all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ. Note also that Tychicus was the one who wrote these words out as they had been dictated to him by Paul. It was also written from Rome. Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:12 that he has sent Tychicus to Ephesus. However, Tychicus (accompanied by Onesimus) may have carried the epistles to the Colossians (4:7-9) and to Philemon (1:10-12) when he delivered the epistle to the Ephesians. Thus Tychicus may have done at least two journeys to Ephesus.

Last week I said that it was apparent that God had put certain rules in place to control spiritual warfare. He is sovereign and just – He can make the rules, and also judge any infringements against those rules. But another major issue appears to confront most Christians when it comes to serious spiritual warfare: why do Christians have to suffer such trials against them if they are, in fact, more than conquerors? Many Christians consequently deny suffering because, they claim, a victorious Christian life cannot include pain, sickness and suffering. But, where in the Bible does it teach this? In fact, it only promises such freedom from pain and suffering once we arrive in heaven.

Revelation 21:4 – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

But, on this earth, it’s an entirely different story indeed. Peter taught that we were to suffer after Christ’s example of suffering, that this was acceptable to God.

1 Peter 2:20-21 – ²⁰ For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. ²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Paul taught that our present-day suffering would be significantly less than the consequent glory we would receive in heaven.

Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

In particular, Paul taught that it was the godly Christians who would suffer!

2 Timothy 3:11-12 – ¹¹ Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Jesus taught that Christians would be hated by the world.

John 15:18-19 – ¹⁸ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. ¹⁹ If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Christians would have tribulation in the world.

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Christians would be persecuted and put to death by the world.

John 16:2 – They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

There are many more passages that demonstrate the calling of Christians to suffering, not the health and wealth gospel which teaches that suffering is the consequence of our sins, and that God desires to bless us instead, if only we would renounce our sins. Certainly, if we sin, we can expect God to discipline us as a good Father should (Hebrews 12). But if all suffering were only the consequence of our sin, then Paul must have been one of the most sinful people ever!

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 – ²³ Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. ²⁴ Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. ²⁵ Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; ²⁷ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁸ Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

If suffering were for personal sin, then Jesus must have sinned more than any of us! But, if Jesus didn’t sin, and if Paul is to be considered a good Christian role model, then, clearly, much of that suffering is not punishment for our sins. Especially note that suffering was actually more applicable to godly Christians!

2 Timothy 3:12 – Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (Should this be interpreted as godly Christians sinning more than non-godly Christians? The health and wealth gospel would seem to teach so!)

So, if much Christian suffering is not a consequence of our sinful natures, then why does God permit it? Note that God has promised that all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28), and that we are to give thanks always for all things (Ephesians 5:20). If suffering is particularly because we are good Christians, then it must also be as a result of our calling to ministry. All good Christians should be living according to their calling to ministry by God. Thus, it can be seen that such suffering is actually a consequence of our calling to Christian ministry.

Now look back at 1 Peter 2:21 – For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

(a) We are called; (b) to follow Christ’s example of suffering; (c) by following in His steps.

Clearly this verse defines suffering as part of our calling to ministry. But how can suffering be a part of something that God has called us to do? That’s simple: Christ’s calling to ministry involved suffering, and so will our call to ministry, because in each case there is opposition to that ministry. In fact, Christ’s ministry was to oppose the hold that satan had upon mankind. By dying on the cross, He redeemed all mankind (paid the price required for their purchase) and thus took back control of their lives from satan. Did satan oppose Jesus? Yes, very much so. Does satan still oppose those who are called to follow Jesus? Yes, still very much so.

While our personal sin may cause some suffering in our lives, godly Christians will suffer tribulation simply because they are godly Christians! The enemy doesn’t really have much concern regarding luke-warm, ineffective and lazy Christians, but he does mind greatly those who oppose him, and prevent him from winning – those godly Christians who just won’t give in to satan’s pressure.

This may explain why Christians (especially godly Christians) suffer, but it doesn’t demonstrate the purpose God has for permitting such suffering to His more faithful servants. How can God promise that all things work together for good if the good Christians suffer for their godly service? How can the spiritual warfare work together for good such that we are to be even thankful for it?

What if suffering were necessary so that the gospel would not be hindered? What if the proclamation of the gospel were enhanced by our suffering?

1 Corinthians 9:12b – (We) suffer (endure) all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

What if, also, suffering was necessary for us to identify (empathise) with those (including the lost) who suffer around us?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – ³ Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; ⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Even Jesus identified with our weaknesses in order to prove Himself a merciful and faithful high priest.

Hebrews 2:17-18 – ¹⁷ Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-16 – ¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5:1-2 – ¹ For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: ² Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

It is clear, however, that a major part of this suffering is in the fighting of the spiritual battle in our ministry from God. But why? For what purpose is it necessary that Christians go forth and fight an enemy who seeks to destroy them and their ministry? Aren’t we told to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and that if we pray according to God’s will, he hears us and answers us?

1 John 5:14-15 – ¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: ¹⁵ And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

It does seem so clear, doesn’t it: if we pray for something according to God’s will, He will grant us our petitions!

So, why do so many prayers seem to never get answered? Is it because we are not praying according to God’s will? What about the many prayers for the salvation of another? If that person doesn’t get saved, then does that mean that it is not God’s will that they be saved? (Of course, we have to realise that we cannot necessarily overrule the free will of another person!) But what about those many prayers that are not for ourselves, yet never seem to get answered, even though they appear to be according to God’s will? Are we so out of touch with God that most of our prayers are not according to His will? Why do so many churches have long lists of prayer needs, yet only occasionally do they proclaim an answered prayer? Why are most prayers seemingly never answered, such that they just disappear off the bottom of the prayer list because they’ve been on it for so long? Questions, questions, questions!

However, we have been commanded to pray. Many verses teach us about the power of prayer. So what are we getting wrong with our prayer? Why do some Christians have a powerful prayer life yet others seem to pray a lot without much outcome? What is it that makes the difference? Is it just possible that spiritual warfare is a significant factor in whether or not prayer is answered? What if we not only had to pray without ceasing, but also had to fight without ceasing as well?

Paul taught that an essential part of spiritual warfare was putting on the panoply (whole armour) of God, but also (as we saw last week) prayer is likewise essential in this battle.

Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Clearly putting on the whole armour needs prayer to go with it, but what if the whole armour is ineffectual without that prayer? And what if prayer is ineffectual without the whole armour? Many teach that the whole armour is ineffectual without prayer, but how many teach that prayer is ineffectual without the whole armour? What if prayer is only effectual when applied with the whole armour of God? What if prayer isn’t just praising God and asking for things, but if a major part of that prayer is the taking on the enemy in spiritual battle? What if prayer is only effectual if we are willing to get hurt (that is, suffer) for the cause for which we pray? What if effectual prayer means getting hurt? Suffering? Tribulation? How many Christians would pray if it meant getting hurt for the sake of their prayers? Yet those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

Imagine going into an old-fashioned grocery shop (where you went to the counter and requested the attendant to fetch your items and put them into a box on the counter) and, when all your items were packed, getting asked for your payment. What do you pay for your groceries? Each item has a price, and so it is all added up; you have to pay this before you can have your groceries. What if you decide that you won’t pay the amount asked? What if you decide that you’ll only pay some of the money? What if you decided to pay nothing, yet still take your box of groceries away?

We’d quite rightly think that such a person should pay what is required, within reason. And yet praying is very much like requesting certain items in that shop, only now the items are spiritual and it is God whom you are asking to provide with your items. What do you pay for your prayers? Can you pay nothing yet still get them all? Can you try to bargain with God to get as much as you can for as little payment as possible? Do you assume that because you are a Christian, and ask, then God will give you all good things gratis? Or do you accept that all things work together for good, including the suffering that God permits in spiritual warfare, and that, as a godly Christian, you will also accept the cost required for those prayers? And, what is that cost? Remember, there’s no victory without a battle and no battle without a cost. If you want to win, you have to risk getting hurt, especially if it is the fight that all Christians are called to.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – ¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race [agon – conflict; fight; contention – see 2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought (agonizomai) a good fight (agon)] that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If Jesus had to suffer for His victory, why shouldn’t we? There’s no pain-free, sanitised spiritual battle on earth for Christians, for unless we suffer, we might as well leave prayer well alone!

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