Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Praying - joined with the principal verb "stand" (Ephesians 6:14).
Always, х en (G1722) panti (G3956) kairoo (G2540)] - 'in every season:' implying opportunity and exigency: the mind being always ready for prayer (Colossians 4:2). Paul uses Jesus' very words in Luke 21:36 (a gospel which he quotes elsewhere, in undesigned consonance with the account in Acts 16:17, of Luke being his associate in travel; 1 Corinthians 11:23, etc.; 1 Timothy 5:18: cf. Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
With all - i:e., every kind of; implying the earnestness of one leaving nothing untried.
Prayer, х proseuchees (G4335)] - a sacred term for prayer in general.
Supplication, х deeeseoos (G1162)] - a common term for one kind of prayer (Harless); an imploring request. "Prayer" for obtaining blessings, "supplication" for averting evil (Grotius).
In the Spirit - joined with "praying." It is He in us, as the Spirit of adoption, who prays, and enables us to pray (Romans 8:15; Romans 8:26; Galatians 4:6; Jude 1:20).
Watching - not sleeping (Ephesians 5:14; Psalms 88:13; Matthew 26:41). So in the temple a perpetual watch was maintained (cf. Anna, Luke 2:37). It was while Saul slept that his spear and cruse were taken. While Samson slept in Delilah's lap he was shorn of his locks. Sisera's head was nailed to the ground (a type of those fastened to earthly things) while sleeping in Jael's tent. Like Jonah sleeping in the storm, those spiritually asleep shall only awake to be plunged in destruction.
Thereunto - with a view to prayer and supplication.
With - Greek, 'in.' Persevering constancy х proskartereesei (G4343)] and (as a particular instance of it) supplication are to be the element in which watchfulness is to be exercised, and that supplication is to extend to others besides yourselves.
For all saints - as none is so perfect as not to need the intercessions of his fellow-Christians.