Commentary on Ephesians 6:21-24

THE MISSION OF TYCHICUS

These verses (Eph 6:21-22) occur almost verbatim in Col, 4:7-8.

Eph 6:21. But that you also may know the things that concern me, and what I am doing, Tychicus, my dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things:Eph 6:22. Whom I have sent to you for this same purpose, that you may know the things concerning us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
You also. This phrase is understood to imply that Tychicus had visited others before delivering this letter to its readers, namely, the Colossians, and consequently it is concluded that the letter to the Colossians was written before this one.

Tychicus was a native of Asia Minor, perhaps of Ephesus (Acts 20:4; 2 Tim. 4:12). His name is found in inscriptions of Asia Minor and Rome, on coins of Magnesia, thirteen miles from Ephesus, and of Magnesia by Mt. Sipylus, where the Bishop of Ephesus now resides, thirty-eight miles from his titular see (see Hitchcock, Ephesians, p. 506; Lightfoot, Colossians, p. 234).

Whom I have sent, an epistolary aorist.

Concerning us, i.e., Paul and his companions in Rome. 

That he may comfort your hearts, distressed by my imprisonment, and perhaps impending death.

BLESSING

Eph 6:23. Peace be to the brethren and charity with faith, from God the Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. Amen.

Contrary to his custom St. Paul gives his benediction to third persons, “brethren,” instead of second persons, “you.”

With faith goes back to “charity,” by which it is informed, and to “peace,” which is its fruit, as a gift from the Holy Ghost. The single preposition before “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” shows that both constitute the common source of supernatural peace and charity.

With all them that love is a circumlocution for “saints,” and it occurs only here.

In incorruption. Literally, “in incorruptness,” i.e., with an enduring, immortal love; the expression refers back to “love.” The weight of evidence seems to be against the retention of “Amen” here, though it makes a fitting close to so glorious an Epistle.