Thought # 73—Final Remarks from Paul to the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21-24)

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

As we conclude our study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we want to write about how he reflected on his life and his ministry for the Lod Jesus. One of the themes of Paul’s ministry is of a thankful individual. Paul always thanked God for his readers and for fellow workers in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Since we have been “called out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His Love, into the marvelous light of the Gospel” (Col. 1:12-14), the Church, we must be a thankful people also.

In closing out Ephesians, Paul specifically mentions one of his co-laborers, a brother named Tychicus. Tony Merida, in his book “Exalting Jesus in Ephesians, writes the following,

“Tychicus is one of the brothers that made up the family of God. He served with Paul for some time (Acts 20:4; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12). Tychicus may have delivered the letter to Ephesus (as well as the letter to the. Colossians). Can you imagine that task?”

In verse 22 of our text, Paul sends him to “encourage your hearts.”  He spread the Word and encouraged the saints. This is what every Christian should be found doing for his or her Lord.

In verses 23-24 we have the benediction of the. Letter to the Ephesian believers. Paul ends the letter by using the words he began with in this letter, “peace and grace.” (Eph. 1:1-2). He also mentions faith and love.  This love, faith, grace, and peace all flow from God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tony Merida writes the following about this benediction of Paul,

“But notice that Paul adds something here that he has not mentioned in regard to love explicitly (though it has been implied), namely, their love for Christ. He closes with a statement about their personal relationship for Christ.”

As we close this study, let’s reflect on our own love for the. Savior and our love for each other. There is coming a day when we will lay our weapons down and will see our Lord.  We have the promise that Jesus is coming back for us.  We don’t know when, but it is a reality, the return of the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). We can rest assured that we have trusted in His perfect work, and we will not regret having been faithful soldiers engaged in His mission. As the hymnwriter says, “Soldiers of Christ Arise.”

 

Larry Miles is Co-Editor of Word & Work and attends Cherry St. Church of Christ in New Albany, IN.