chains – Ministry of Grace Church

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Truth to Learn

We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message.

Behind the Words

Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but it is used metaphorically to mean “a representative” or “an ambassador.”

“Chains” is from the Greek noun halusis, which refers to any kind of restraint for either the hands or feet (shackles, manacles, or chains). This particular word is most often used to describe a “coupling chain” which bound a prisoner hand-to-hand to a guarding soldier.

The words “I may speak boldly” are from the Greek verb parrēsiadzomai. This is the verb form of parrēsia, which we saw in yesterday’s verse. It means “to speak openly” or “to speak boldly.” It is expressed here in the subjunctive mood indicating the possibility or probability of such action.

“I ought” is translated from the Greek verb dei, which means “it needs to happen,” “it is necessary,” or “it is inevitable.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse the Apostle Paul expressed a prayer request that everyone reading this letter (and those hearing this letter read to them) might pray for him. Specifically, he requested that he might be given the words to speak regarding the mystery of the Gospel and that he might be given boldness to declare the message forthrightly. In today’s verse he tells us that it is because of the Gospel message that he is currently chained to a Roman soldier. Here’s how that came to be.

After Paul’s third missionary journey, he returned to Jerusalem to deliver an offering from the churches of Greece and Asia. He felt compelled to go there “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” even though he knew that he would be put in chains there (Acts 20:22-24). When reminded that he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, he told those around him that he was ready even to die for the Gospel (Acts 21:10-13).

While in Jerusalem, he was falsely accused of defiling the Temple, and he was put under protective custody. While in custody, the Lord told him that he must also proclaim the Gospel message in Rome (Acts 23:11). Then, because the Jews had plotted to kill him, Paul was taken to Caesarea so that he might appear before the Roman governor Felix, as well as his successor Porcius Festus. While appearing before Festus, Paul exercised his right of appeal as a Roman citizen to be judged at Caesar’s court in Rome. So, after having already been imprisoned for two years, he was sent to Rome. It was while in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier, that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus. We see that quite literally, Paul was in chains because of his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Now he is asking for prayers so that he might continue to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, which he still feels compelled to do.

Application

How many of us are reluctant to proclaim the Gospel message because of what someone might think about us? Paul was ready to face prison and death to share the good news. We have peace and hope because Christ suffered and died, and now He is risen! Let us boldly proclaim the Gospel, just like Paul did!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;

Truth to Learn

False teachers, like the angels who sinned, will be judged!

Behind the Words

The word “if” indicates a conditional clause. In Greek there are three (some say four) classes of conditional clauses in Greek. This one is a first class condition. A first class conditional sentence assumes that the premise (protasis) is true for the sake of argument. For this reason, some have proposed that the “if” can be translated as “since.” Whereas this is not always true, , in this case it does give us a better sense of what the Greek is saying.

“Sent them to hell” is translated from the verb tartaroō. This is based on the noun Tartaros, the name of “the subterranean abyss of Greek mythology where the gods were punished.”

Meaning Explained

Peter told us in the previous verse that the judgment of false teachers and their destruction will come. He told the early Christians this because, like today, these false teachers seemed to be prospering in spite of their selfish tactics. He now goes on to give us several examples of judgment that have already been performed upon those who thought they were getting away with their rebellion. The first of these examples is in today’s verse, the angels that sinned.

We don’t know exactly what their sin was, although Jude 6 implies that these angels left their original dwelling place and went somewhere they were not supposed to go. Some believe that this is a reference to the angels having come down to earth to cohabitate with human women, but that is really only speculation. What we do know is that they exceeded the bounds that God had set for them and they were punished.

Peter tells us that the angels are incarcerated in Tartarus in chains of darkness (gloomy dungeons) awaiting their judgment. And, by combining this verse with the end of this sentence (in verse nine), we see that Peter is saying, “If God did not spare angels when they sinned … then the Lord knows how to … hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.” His point is that judgment will certainly come to these spirit beings just as judgment will come to the false teachers who are selling snake oil to the people.

Since angels are each a separate creation, there can be no substitutionary payment for their sins. We, on the other hand, being procreated beings can, and do, have someone else who paid for our sins. That someone is the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who paid with His blood. The Bible tells us that if we do not accept this fact, then we too will be cast into Hell (Hades) to await the Great White Throne judgment where all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity.

Application

What future awaits you? The choice is yours: either the pain and suffering of Hades and the Lake of Fire, or as Peter talked about in the previous chapter:

a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: chains

Ephesians 6:20 – Proclaim It Boldly!

Truth to Learn

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

Application

2 Peter 2:4 – Held For Judgment