Revelation. In Ephesians 3:1-7 Paul speaks of the revelation that was given to him. Any minister worth his salt is chained to the desire for supernatural revelation. They want desperately to hear from God, receive supernatural insight into His Word, and receive vision from the heart of God for their church or ministry. They spend hours wrestling with God in prayer and His Word. That is why Paul told Timothy to "study to show himself approved, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightfully dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). They often spend countless hours studying commentaries, memorizing and meditating on the word, and seeking the face of God.

 Preaching. The minister is commissioned to preach the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). We are imprisoned to do so. We can't help it. If we are not preaching we are miserable. Jeremiah said, "but if I say, I will not remember Him, or speak any more in His name, then in my heart it becomes like a fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary of holding it in and I can not endure it" (Jeremiah 20:9). Even in those times when you feel like quitting (and even try to), the word burns deep within you and you can't hold it back.

Paul said, "If I preach the gospel I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me, yes, woe is me if I preach not the gospel! For if I do it willingly, I have a reward, but if against my will, (a dispensation of the gospel has been committed to me - KJV) I have been entrusted with a stewardship (1 Corinthians 9:16-17 NKJV)". We are imprisoned to the preaching of the gospel, we can't stop ourselves.

 Frustration. Paul said, "to make all men see" (Ephesians 3:9). Any man or women of God with a passion for their call experiences frequent frustrations. Most of the frustration comes from trying to get people to see what we see or what God has shown us. Trying to get our people to grasp what God has shown us through the Word, the vision He has given us (Proverbs 29:18; Habakkuk 2:2-3), and the need for faithfulness (Psalm 12:1; 31:23; Proverbs 20:6), etc.

 Prayer. Paul said, "for this cause I bow my knees" (Ephesians 3:14). The person of God feels a driving force to pray. He must pray for his people, the work of God, and in seeking God's mind and will. Samuel said, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23). Both Paul and Moses had such a passion to reach their people that Paul asked to be accursed for his people and Moses asked God to take his name out of His book of life if He would not forgive His people (Exodus 32:32 & Romans 9:1-3). Also read Jeremiah 30:21, Exodus 20:19-21 & 24:18.

 The Church. The Pastor in particular is held captive by and to the church. He is in many ways married to the church. He knows that it's through the church that God's manifold wisdom will be made known to this world and all the powers of darkness (Ephesians 3:10-11), that the gates of hell will be knocked down (Matthew 16:13-19), and that the church alone was given the authority to bind and loose (Matthew 16:13-19 & 18:18-20).

In essence, it is the church that Jesus will use ultimately to defeat the powers of darkness, to give victory to God's people, and to display God's glory, majesty and wisdom. As a result, the pastor has given himself to the church, second to Jesus alone. He is committed to building, defending, growing, and strengthening the church. He knows it is through the covering of the local church the people of God find security, protection, and the proper foundation they need for growth and victory. It is the sheepfold through which they are cared for and fed. This is why the pastor is, at least in part, imprisoned to the church.