21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace 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 in sincerity. Amen.
Commentary
Vs. 21-22 "But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts."
Now in order to keep the Ephesians informed about his affairs and those with him, the Apostle Paul now commends to them a beloved Christian brother named Tychicus, whom Paul describes here as a faithful minister in the Lord. Clearly then Paul trusted Tychius, as he not only entrusts him here with delivering his most prized possession, this epistle too the Ephesians, but Paul also is trusting Tychicus of informing them of all his affairs in such a way so as to comfort their hearts. Now this is not the only mention of Tychius in the N.T., for the Apostle Paul also gives a great commendation of Tychicus to all the believers in Colassae as well (Col. 4:7-8). And so Tychicus a beloved brother, faithful minister of the Gospel, and most endearing a loyal friend to the Apostle Paul is just one of the many named and unnamed saints who down through the centuries not only served the Gospel of Christ with their lives; in every good word and deed; but they in their faithfulness to Christ our Lord and Savior also helped to preserve it for us all. Every Gospel preacher than needs to have a believer and friend like Tychius in their lives as well (also see Acts 20:4; 2 Tim 3:9-12; Titus 3:12).
Vs. 23 "Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
In concluding his epistle Paul now bestows some blessings upon all the brethren, beginning with peace, both a personal inner peace that comes from knowing God and being in a right relationship with Him, as well as peace with each other because all peace and harmony in ourselves and with each other comes from God our Father, same with love and faith, which are the evidences of the Lord Jesus Christ working mightily in and through a believer or an assembly. These three things then should define us as Christians: faith, love and peace. For faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6) for through faith we believe in God, and seek God, and trust God, and thus we serve God in His Son, all by faith. While love and peace is the manifested Presence of God in our persons and lives which God gives us all who believe in His Son through His Spirit. And so all people can perceive Christ within us through the same. Now how they respond to that fragrance of Christ given them through us will always be different. For to the one whose longing, and thirsty, and broken soul is looking for rest we will be a welcomed refreshing, comfort, and a joy (Matt 11:28-30). While to the other when they perceive Christ's Presence and peace within us they only well up with all manner of rage and fury, for such is their "fathers" nature, and thus so is theirs, to only be continually antagonistic and hostile and furious towards all that comes from God and is truly of God (consider John 8:44; Rev. 12:2). Nonetheless we always have cause to rejoice because God is not only sustaining us by faith, but He is watching over us in His love and peace and giving us the same, as we journey homeward with Him.
Vs. 24 "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."
The Apostle Paul now bestows God's grace on us all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (that is with an incorruptible undying love, that doesn't forsake ones relationship with Christ for something less, consider Heb 12:14-17, vs 16). And so here Paul is wishing us all wellness in our lives and fullness in our relationship with God our Father.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
In concluding his epistle Paul now bestows some blessings upon all the brethren, beginning with peace, both a personal inner peace that comes from knowing God and being in a right relationship with Him, as well as peace with each other because all peace and harmony in ourselves and with each other comes from God our Father, same with love and faith, which are the evidences of the Lord Jesus Christ working mightily in and through a believer or an assembly. These three things then should define us as Christians: faith, love and peace. For faith is what pleases God (Heb 11:6) for through faith we believe in God, and seek God, and trust God, and thus we serve God in His Son, all by faith. While love and peace is the manifested Presence of God in our persons and lives which God gives us all who believe in His Son through His Spirit. And so all people can perceive Christ within us through the same. Now how they respond to that fragrance of Christ given them through us will always be different. For to the one whose longing, and thirsty, and broken soul is looking for rest we will be a welcomed refreshing, comfort, and a joy (Matt 11:28-30). While to the other when they perceive Christ's Presence and peace within us they only well up with all manner of rage and fury, for such is their "fathers" nature, and thus so is theirs, to only be continually antagonistic and hostile and furious towards all that comes from God and is truly of God (consider John 8:44; Rev. 12:2). Nonetheless we always have cause to rejoice because God is not only sustaining us by faith, but He is watching over us in His love and peace and giving us the same, as we journey homeward with Him.
Vs. 24 "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen."
The Apostle Paul now bestows God's grace on us all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (that is with an incorruptible undying love, that doesn't forsake ones relationship with Christ for something less, consider Heb 12:14-17, vs 16). And so here Paul is wishing us all wellness in our lives and fullness in our relationship with God our Father.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
No comments:
Post a Comment