Chains (254) (halusis from a = negative + luo = loose, but this origin is not accepted by all authorities - this origin means according to Thayer that which is not to be loosed) is literally a chain, bond, manacle or a metonym for imprisonment (Eph 6:20, 2Ti 1:16-note). The word is used especially for handcuffs. Josephus (Ant. 19, 294) speaks of binding someone with chains. Halusis was used in secular Greek for a woman's ornament, such as a bracelet. Referring to his first imprisonment, Paul had earlier stated that he was "the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles" (Ep 3:1-note) and again "the prisoner of the Lord" (Ep 4:1-note). In Philippians (also referring to the first imprisonment) three times he mentions "my imprisonment" (Php 1:7, 13, 14-see note Php 1:7; 13; 14). To Philemon Paul wrote... I appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, Onesimus (Philemon 1:10) Paul writing to Timothy from his second imprisonment... The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains (2Ti 1:16-note) for which (for "my gospel") I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. (2Ti 2:8-note) MacDonald comments that... Ambassadors are generally granted diplomatic immunity from arrest and imprisonment. But men will tolerate almost anything better than they will tolerate the gospel. No other subject stirs such emotion, arouses such hostility and suspicion, and provokes such persecution. So Christ’s representative was an ambassador in chains. Eadie states it well: A legate from the mightiest Sovereignty, charged with an embassy of unparalleled nobleness and urgency, and bearing with him credentials of unmistakable authenticity, is detained in captivity. The particular part of Paul’s message that stirred the hostility of narrow religionists was the announcement that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are now formed into one new society, sharing equal privileges, and acknowledging Christ as Head. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson) Guzik has an interesting note... Of course, the ancient Greek word for chains meant a prisoner’s shackles. But it could also be used for the gold adornment worn around the neck and wrists of the wealthy and powerful. On special occasions, ambassadors wore such chains to show the riches, power, and dignity of the government they represented. Paul considers his prisoner’s chains to actually be the glorious adornment of an ambassador of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6) Barclay writes that halusis... was the short length of chain by which the wrist of a prisoner was bound to the wrist of the soldier who was his guard, so that escape was impossible. The situation was this. Paul had been delivered to the captain of the Praetorian Guard, to await trial before the Emperor. He had been allowed to arrange a private lodging for himself; but night and day in that private lodging there was a soldier to guard him, a soldier to whom he was chained by his halusis all the time. There would, of course, be a rotation of guardsmen assigned to this duty; and in the two years one by one the guardsmen of the Imperial Guard would be on duty with Paul. What a chance was there! These soldiers would hear Paul preach and talk to his friends. Is there any doubt that in the long hours Paul would open up a discussion about Jesus with the soldier to whose wrist he was chained?... There is no self-pity and no sentimental plea for sympathy. (Westminster Press) Halusis is not used in the but is found 11 times in the NT... Mark 5:3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain;4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Luke 8:29 For He had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard; and yet he would burst his fetters and be driven by the demon into the desert. Acts 12:6 And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and roused him, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. Acts 21:33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. Acts 28:20 "For this reason therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel." Ephesians 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 2 Timothy 1:16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains; Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. THAT IN PROCLAIMING IT I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK: hina en auto parrhesiasomai (1SAMS) os dei (3SPAI) me lalesai. (AAN): (Ep 6:19; Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 1:7,8,17; Ezekiel 2:4, 5, 6, 7; Matthew 10:27,28; Acts 5:29; 28:31; Colossians 4:4; Philippians 1:20; 1Thessalonians 2:2; 1John 3:16; Jude 1:3) That (hina) expresses purpose. Whenever you encounter a "so that" (or "that" with a similar meaning) pause and ponder the text, asking what is the purpose, what conditions enabled Paul to fulfill his purpose, etc. Paul even sees God's purpose in his suffering (to be an "ambassador in chains"). How do we see the "chains" in our life...as obstacles or opportunities? Proclaiming is added by the translators. That in (this) - "in making known the gospel"