Praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Schisms arise when men say, we are righteous; when they say, we sanctify the unclean, we justify the wicked, we ask, we obtain. But what did John say? “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” You will say, But may not holy men ask on our behalf? May not bishops and rulers ask on behalf of the people? Look at the Scripture, and you will find rulers commending themselves to the people’s prayers. The apostle says to his people, “Praying also for us.” The apostle prays for the people and the people for the apostle. We pray for you, my brothers, but you should also pray for us. Let all the members pray for one another, and let the Head intercede for all. .
And he still more clearly reveals that knowledge belongs not to all, by adding: "Praying at the same time for you, that God would open to us a door to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am bound; that I may make it known as I ought to speak."
That God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ. He means an entrance, and boldness in speaking. Wonderful! The great athlete said not that I may be freed from my bonds, but being in bonds he exhorted others; and exhorted them for a great object, that himself might get boldness in speaking. Both the two are great, both the quality of the person, and of the thing. Wonderful! How great is the dignity! The mystery, he says, of Christ. He shows that nothing was more dearly desired by him than this, to speak. For which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Colossians 4:4 He means with much boldness of speech, and withholding nothing. His bonds display, not obscure him. With much boldness he means. Tell me, are you in bonds, and do you exhort others? Yea, my bonds give me the greater boldness; but I pray for God's furtherance, for I have heard the voice of Christ saying, When they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what you shall...
