Exhortation to constant prayer.
The apostle then gives some special concluding exhortations: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving."
I. THE DUTY OF PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER.
1. This does not imply that we are to devote all our time to prayer; for it would be inconsistent
2. It implies that we are to be often engaged in prayer.
(a) it may lead to a deeper sense of want;
(b) our faith and patience need to be tiled;
(c) the time for the answers may not have come.
II. THE DUTY OF WATCHFULNESS IS PRAYER.
1. We must be watchful as to the spirit of prayer, not indolent and remiss.
2. We must watch for arguments in prayer.
3. We must watch or suitable praying seasons.
4. We must watch against watchlessness.
5. We must watch for the answers to prayer.
6. Remember Christ's example as he watched in prayer. (Matthew 14:23, Matthew 14:25.)
III. THE DUTY OF JOINING THANKSGIVING WITH OUR SUPPLICATIONS AND OUR WATCHING,
1. We must always in prayer give thanks for mercies received. (Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.)
2. We must thank him in praises.
3. God answers according to our gratitude for mercies received.—T.C.
Prayer for the apostle and his companions.
"Withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak."
I. EVEN THE GREATEST IN THE CHURCH NEEDS THE PRAYERS OF THE LEAST.
1. It is the duty of the people to pray for their ministers.
2. It makes prayer profitable to interest ourselves in the welfare of others by intercessions for them at a throne of grace.
3. The progress of the gospel depends much upon the prayers of the saints. (2 Thessalonians 3:1.)
II. THE SUBJECT OF THE PRAYER. It was that the apostle and Timothy and Epaphras might have abundant opportunity of preaching the gospel, as well as liberty, power, and success. The prayer implies:
1. That God can open a way for the gospel among the hearts of men. It was the Lord who opened Lydia's heart (Acts 16:14), and "opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27).
2. That God could liberate the apostle from prison as a condition of carrying on his apostolic work.
3. That the apostle's imprisonment was caused by his devotion to the "mystery of Christ," which was the admission of the Gentiles to salvation on equal terms with the Jews, or, in other words, "Christ in them the Hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). He would not have been in prison if he had been preaching a gospel with Judaic restrictions. His bonds were due to the strength of Jewish prejudices. But "the truth of the gospel" was so dear to him that he was content to suffer for it, and even to forego the opportunities of enlarged usefulness out of prison.
4. That he might be able to use his opportunities with boldness and success. People ought to pray that their ministers may be able to preach the Word with power (1 Thessalonians 5:5); with urgency (2 Timothy 4:2, 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:5); with patience, constancy, and fear (1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 4:8); with faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2); with zeal (2 Corinthians 5:11; I Thessalonians 2 Corinthians 2:12),—approving themselves in the sight of God to their hearers' consciences (2 Corinthians 2:17).—T.C.