Eph 6:18, Phili 4:4, 6 | JFB | e4.org | 18. always — Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency ( ). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, ). Compare . with all —that is, every kind of. prayer —a sacred term for prayer in general. supplication —a common term for a special kind of prayer [HARLESS ], an imploring request. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evils which we fear [GROTIUS ]. in the Spirit —to be joined with "praying." It is he in us, as the Spirit of adoption, who prays, and enables us to pray ( ). watching —not sleeping ( ). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (compare Anna, ). thereunto —"watching unto" (with a view to) prayer and supplication. with — Greek, "in." Persevering constancy ("perseverance") and (that is, exhibited in) supplication are to be the element in which our watchfulness is to be exercised. for all saints —as none is so perfect as not to need the intercessions of his fellow Christians.

‏ Ephesians 6:18

18. always—Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency (Col 4:2). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in Lu 21:36 (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, 1Co 11:23, &c.; 1Ti 5:18). Compare Lu 18:1; Ro 12:12; 1Th 5:17.

with all—that is, every kind of.

prayer—a sacred term for prayer in general.

supplication—a common term for a special kind of prayer [HARLESS], an imploring request. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evils which we fear [GROTIUS].

in the Spirit—to be joined with "praying." It is he in us, as the Spirit of adoption, who prays, and enables us to pray (Ro 8:15, 26; Ga 4:6; Jude 20).

watching—not sleeping (Eph 5:14; Ps 88:13; Mt 26:41). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (compare Anna, Lu 2:37).

thereunto—"watching unto" (with a view to) prayer and supplication.

with—Greek, "in." Persevering constancy ("perseverance") and (that is, exhibited in) supplication are to be the element in which our watchfulness is to be exercised.

for all saints—as none is so perfect as not to need the intercessions of his fellow Christians.

‏ Philippians 4:4

4. (Isa 61:10.)

alway—even amidst the afflictions now distressing you (Php 1:28-30).

again—as he had already said, "Rejoice" (Php 3:1). Joy is the predominant feature of the Epistle.

I say—Greek, rather, "I will say."

‏ Philippians 4:6

6. Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL].

by prayer and supplication—Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term. Supplication, to avert ills; a special term, suppliant entreaty (see on Eph 6:18).

thanksgiving—for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (1Th 5:18; Jas 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (Ac 16:25). Thanksgiving gives effect to prayer (2Ch 20:21), and frees from anxious carefulness by making all God's dealings matter for praise, not merely for resignation, much less murmuring. "Peace" is the companion of "thanksgiving" (Php 4:7; Col 3:15).

let your requests be made known unto God—with generous, filial, unreserved confidence; not keeping aught back, as too great, or else too small, to bring before God, though you might feel so as to your fellow men. So Jacob, when fearing Esau (Ge 32:9-12); Hezekiah fearing Sennacherib (2Ki 19:14; Ps 37:5).