Ephesians 6.21-24

Having talked about spiritual blessings, prayer, grace and faith, unity in Christ, the new life of the believer, living in love, and spiritual warfare, Paul now closes his letter to the Ephesians:

“Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances, how I am doing. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”

(Ephesians 6.21-24, NET)

Tychicus, mentioned in Acts 20.4, Colossians 4.7, 2 Timothy 4.12, and Titus 3.12, is to share with the Ephesians how Paul is doing and encourage [their] hearts. Time spent with other people is often so encouraging and is something that, in our modern day and age, is often overlooked in favour of convenient communication. Paul knew face to face has value (cf. 3 John 1.13-14) and wanted more than a letter to reach his brother and sisters.

Concluding as he began, with grace and peace (1.2), Paul knew that having laid out direction and encouragement in many areas of life, it was the grace of God at work in them that would accomplish all, and that peace would be one of the primary results among them.

I recently read something on how Paul closes the letter. In one way he is simply giving them a blessing (vv.23-24) and yet in another he is coming full circle and reiterating his initial goal for the whole letter:

“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.”

(Ephesians 1.3, NET, emphasis added)

A wonderfully rich letter encouraging and exhorting us towards unity with other believers and to strive for the personal holiness that should be exemplified and personified in God’s people, Ephesians brings an equally strong message for the modern reader as it did for the originals.