Ephesians 1:16

cease not, &c. For similar thanksgivings cp. Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3; Col 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1Th 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Philemon 1:4. The thanks were literally "unceasing" in principle, and, in practice, came out on everyfit occasion.

making mention of you For parallels, see the contexts of the passages just quoted, and 2 Timothy 1:3. The phrase implies the expressionof individual remembrance. It might be literally "by name," or not. How much of the Apostle's work for his converts consisted in the holy labour of special intercessory prayer, with thanksgiving! In his Roman lodging this was the case, perhaps, even more than ever.

The recorded prayers of St Paul form in themselves one of the richest of Scripture studies. Most observable in them is their almost invariable intercessory direction. He thinks of others, not of self, upon his knees. On that which now follows Bengel remarks, "Argumentum precum pro veris Christianis," "heads of prayer for true Christians."