Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
always—Greek, "in every season"; implying opportunity and exigency (Colossians 4:2). Paul uses the very words of Jesus in Luke 21:36 (a Gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the fact of Luke being his associate in travel, I Corinthians 11:23, etc.; I Timothy 5:18). Compare Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 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 (Romans 8:15, Romans 8:26; Galatians 4:6; Judges 1:20).
watching—not sleeping (Ephesians 5:14; Psalms 88:13; Matthew 26:41). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (compare Anna, Luke 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.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Ephesians 6:18:
Romans 13:12
Ephesians 6:19
Philippians 4:6
Colossians 4:2
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Jude 1:20
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