29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants
29 "And now they're at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message,
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
29 And now, OÂ Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds:
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
20 jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
(Read Ephesians 6:19-24)
The gospel was a mystery till made known by Divine revelation; and it is the work of Christ's ministers to declare it. The best and most eminent ministers need the prayers of believers. Those particularly should be prayed for, who are exposed to great hardships and perils in their work. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith. By peace, understand all manner of peace; peace with God, peace of conscience, peace among themselves. And the grace of the Spirit, producing faith and love, and every grace. These he desires for those in whom they were already begun. And all grace and blessings come to the saints from God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace, that is, the favour of God; and all good, spiritual and temporal, which is from it, is and shall be with all those who thus love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and with them only.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 4:29
Commentary on Acts 4:23-31
(Read Acts 4:23-31)
Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice, to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty. They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, Isaiah 17.