Definition: Withal 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:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Colossians 4:3. It's a pretty rich and interesting passage! Here’s a simplified explanation: What it means on the surface: This verse is saying that Christians are praying for us, and God wants us to understand something very important – the mystery of Christ. It also says that the writer (who is in bonds) is actively trying to help us unlock this mystery. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Withal praying also for us…” : This part simply means that Christians are praying together for our well-being and understanding. It's a shared effort. “…that God would open unto us a door of utterance…” : This is the key part! "Utterance" means speaking, declaring, or expressing something. God wants us to speak about Christ – to share his message with others. He’s giving us permission and opportunity to do that. “…to speak the mystery of Christ…” : This is the core idea. “Mystery” means something that's not fully understood; it's a hidden truth or concept. The "mystery of Christ" refers to the profound reality of Jesus Christ – his divinity, his sacrifice for our sins, and his ultimate triumph over death. It’s a complex truth that can’t be fully grasped by our own limited human minds. “for which I am also in bonds:” : This is where it gets even more interesting. The writer is saying they are bound – restricted or held captive – because of their faith and desire to share this message. It implies a challenge or restriction that’s being placed on them by God. Putting it all together: The verse essentially says: God wants us to actively seek out and share the truth about Jesus Christ, even if it means facing challenges. He's giving us permission and encouragement to speak about him – to express his message to the world. It’s a call to be open to spiritual revelation and to participate in God’s plan for our lives. In short: Christians are called to actively seek out and share the truth of Christ, even if it means facing difficulties. Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific theme in the Bible (like faith or revelation)? Give an example of how we can express the mystery of Christ in our lives?