6:18–20

In 6:14–17, Paul used six metaphors (belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, sword) to teach the Ephesian Christians how they should fight against Satan and protect themselves from Satan. In 6:18–20 he added a seventh way to fight Satan: by praying. But he did not use a metaphor to teach about praying.

6:18a

Pray in the Spirit: The phrase Pray in the Spirit means that we should pray as the Holy Spirit leads or shows us. It does not mean that we should pray silently. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

pray by the power of the Spirit (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Pray…as the Spirit leads (Good News Translation)

at all times: The phrase at all times means “all the time” or “in every situation.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Never stop praying (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Pray…in every situation (God’s Word)
-or-
Constantly ask God’s help in prayer (Revised English Bible)

with every kind of prayer and petition: The phrase with every kind of means to use “all types of” prayers. For example:

Use every kind of prayer and request there is. (God’s Word)

prayer: The word prayer is a generic term for the many types of prayer that the New Testament mentions: giving thanks to God, asking him for forgiveness and asking him for things.

petition: A petition is a specific type of prayer—it is when a person asks God for something.

If your language would not use nouns for “prayer” and petition, you can say:

pray to God in every way and ask him to help you
-or-
asking for everything you need (New Century Version)

6:18b

To this end, stay alert: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as To this end means “for this purpose.” It refers back to 6:18a about praying in many ways as the Holy Spirit leads. In order to pray as the Holy Spirit leads, a person must be alert.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

For this purpose, be alert
-or-
In order to ⌊pray like⌋ this, pay attention.

stay alert: to the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stay alert means to “be watchful,” “pay attention,” or “look for opportunities” to pray. Here is another way to translate this:

always be ready (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be possible to state this negatively as:

do not be inattentive
-or-
do not sleep

6:18c

with all perseverance in your prayers: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as with all perseverance in your prayers means that we should be persistent when we pray. We should not give up. This does not mean that we should always pray and never do anything else.

for all the saints: As in 1:1c and 3:18a, the word saints means “people set apart for God.” It does not refer to a special group of “holy people.” All Christians are saints.

Here are some ways to translate the word saints :

God’s people
-or-
people belonging to God

See Holy, Meaning 1, special use in the Glossary for more information.

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