Brooke Thanepohn
Greek III
12.05.07
Teaching Report

Text: Ephesians 6:18 “Through all prayer and entreaty praying in all seasons in [the] Spirit, and vigilant unto this end in all perseverance and entreaty concerning all of the saints.”

Grammar/ syntax Issue:
The frequent use of the word pas - meaning all

Theological Issue:
The word for “all” is used four times in this verse emphasizing the all-the-time, everywhere, for anything reality of prayer, moreover the reality of our need for Whom we pray to.

How does this fit with the context/further the argument of the author?
In the immediate preceding context of the armor of God, this emphasis on prayer indicates that as we put on the armor of God, and as we wage the warfare delineated in the previous verses, we are to do so through, or by the means of prayer. The previous four verses emphasize, in a sense, our part in the spiritual battle. It is on our part to take the armor that God has faithfully provided. But here it seems that Paul reminds us yet again that the battle is too great for our own power. In the following context of verse nineteen, were Paul asks for prayer, it reveals as well the need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to be prayed for. The reiteration of the idea of incessant and all-encompassing prayer, not only in this verse but throughout Scripture, thoroughly emphasizes our dependence and need for God.

How would I use this in a sermon?
It is so easy for me to read what God has said for us to do, and then try do it. The only thing wrong with that picture is that I try to do it on my own, and obviously I fail. In this specific passage, when God says that we are fight the fight of faith through all prayer and entreaty, in all season in the Spirit, with all perseverance, for all the saints, it should be obvious that it is an extremely crucial part of living out our faith. When Christians lose sight of their utter dependence on God and instead focus on living out the Christian walk purely on the horizontal of level, any progress they do make will only be on that plane. Even the idea that we can talk to God, and that He hears us and cares for us is infinitely above what I can remotely comprehend. Why in the world would I choose to draw from my own minuscule source of power when I have the privilege to go to a mighty heavenly Father? As we come within verses of the end of the book of Ephesians, Paul sees fit to emphasize the one thing will enable us to understand in some way the greatness of God set forth in chapters one through three and carry out the directives of God in chapters four through six - that being God Himself through all persistency, with all prayer and entreaty, in all seasons, and for everything.