Class Outline:

Wednesday August 24,2022

EPH 6:21-24, Final greetings and benediction.

 

EPH 6:21-22

But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus [Tuxikós; too-xi-HOS], the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will amake everything known to you. 22 And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

 

 

Tychicus gives us a bit of insight into some of the workings of how God spread His truth throughout the infant church.

 

Paul and the other apostles seeded churches in various places and there taught believers the truths of the gospel and Christ and God’s plan of redemption and all the doctrines they knew. Among these communities were spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy in which divine revelation came directly to the so gifted believer who would communicate it to the rest. Gifts of overseer (pastor), knowledge, teaching, faith, etc. would quickly swell the understanding of the truth in these communities and they in turn would spread the gospel and the truth to neighboring communities. Hymns were devised for the purpose of remembering these truths, and likely, some of them were recorded, and some communities would have gathered copies of the early letters and gospels. Not having any Bibles yet, these early communities would still have had a wealth of knowledge to pour over and analyze and ponder and pray about.

 

In our case, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon were all written by Paul when he was in prison. He would not be able to teach on their content personally. Therefore, he sends Tychicus, Onesimus, and others, with these letters to the various churches. When Tychicus arrives in Ephesus with this letter, he tells them of Paul’s situation and then reads the letter, which is likely copied multiple times. Then, having been instructed by Paul on the meaning of its content, Tychicus teaches this content to the believers there. After sufficient time, Tychicus then would travel to another church, and do the same. When he arrives in Colossae, he gives them their letter, which is copied and spread, and his teaching on the letter is also spread and treasured in the hearts of believers.

 

In these ways, without modern communication methods, nor travel methods, the truth spread rapidly along something that was modern for the time, Roman roads and Roman peace. F.F. Bruce writes a wonderful history of this which he titles The Spreading Flame.

 

Tychicus is a model to us all - beloved brother and faithful servant. He loves God and is trustworthy.

 

Paul knew the great anxiety that the churches had on his account and he did what was necessary to relieve their discouragement. Paul loved the community of believers whom he served.

 

Paul’s love for the people of God, and his desire that they be as happy and hopeful as he, is an example to us all.

 

Our individual ministries will not be successful if we don’t love the people we serve.

 

How could our individual ministries, all designed by the Father that we might serve and equip others, be successful if we don’t love the people we are to serve?

 

EPH 6:21-22

But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

 

Tychicus becomes a model to us all as both a beloved brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.

 

“minister” - diakonos = minister or servant which came to be the word deacon.

 

In 1Ti 3, Paul uses this word for those in the church who aspire to the position of diakonos. Paul describes himself with the same word and even Christ as a servant of all men.

 

ROM 15:8-9

For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy;

 

We cannot conclude for certain that it was an official position in the early church, but it is hinted as such, and certain become an official appointment later on. By its use in the New Testament it would seem to indicate those, who by their faithfulness, showed themselves to be consistent servants to the church, but this was true of all positions (presbuteros: elder, and episkopos: overseer). Believers showed themselves to be faithful and spiritual and gifted by God and then they were appointed. Paul doesn’t praise Tychicus for his position as a servant but for his faithfulness.

 

Benediction: Peace, love with faith, and grace with a final plea for divine love.

 

This benediction reminds us that God’s love is the chief of virtues. As Paul wrote in 1Co 13, if we have faith or knowledge or humanitarianism or courage, but we don’t have love, we are nothing.

 

The benediction is full of importance. The close of such a great letter, maybe the greatest that the world has ever seen, would succinctly focus on important key elements within the letter. Peace, love based on faith from the Father and the Son, and grace (God’s favor) who purely love their Lord Jesus Christ.

 

EPH 6:23-24

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.

 

It is the only benediction in Paul’s letters that is in the third person.

 

That Paul closes this amazing letter with “peace to the brethren,” is no surprise when we see how often he wishes it for his own.

 

Paul opens every one of his letters with some form of “grace and peace to you.”

 

He opens Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon (every one of his letters) with “grace and peace to you.”

 

Peace and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.