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Title: The Conclusion of Ephesians
Intro:
Today we finish Ephesians!
We began our Journey into Ephesians on September 1st, 2019.
That’s 3 years and five months ago.
On September 1st, 2019, nobody on the planet had heard of Covid 19.
Gas was $2.50/gallon ($3.45 today)
Hue Jackson was the Browns head coach.
Show of hands, how many of you were NOT part of HBC in September of 2019?
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers and sisters, 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 incorruptible love.
(read/pray)
- Boldness in Chains
Matthew Henry:
The argument with which he enforces his request is that for the sake of the gospel he was an ambassador in bonds, v. 20. He was persecuted and imprisoned for preaching the gospel; though, notwithstanding, he continued in the embassy committed to him by Christ, and persisted in preaching it. Observe:
1. It is no new thing for Christ’s ministers to be in bonds.
2. It is a hard thing for them to speak boldly when that is their case.
3. The best and most eminent ministers have need of, and may receive advantage by, the prayers of good Christians; and therefore should earnestly desire them.
Chains today?
- Missionaries in hostile regions
- Christians in jobs where they are banned from living their faith the way they would outside of jobs. (Undercover believers.)
- Believers who are physically restricted (whether due to impairment or inability) to be in the mission field they desire. (How does/might social media change that?)
- Others?
Tychicus the Messenger:
(ti·cha·cuss)
We have a limited amount of information on this companion of Paul, but he does pop up in the N.T. from time to time.
We know that he was an Ephesians from Acts 20:4.
In Colossians, Pauls describes him as “a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.”
He was with Paul during at least one of his two Roman imprisonments.
In Paul’s final letter (2 Timothy)
“Tychicus I sent to Ephesus” (2 Timothy 4:12). As Timothy was in charge of the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3), the coming of Tychicus would set Timothy free, so as to enable him to set off at once to rejoin Paul at Rome, as the apostle desired him (2 Timothy 4:9, 2 Timothy 4:21).
Also of note: Most scholars agree that Tychicus was the scribe for the letter to the Ephesians, and this would make sense, because there is likelihood that Tychicus most likely served as a sort of “local lingo editor” for a letter written to his home city. This would also explain some of the Ephesians specific language only found in this letter.
Key: Paul is sending an Ephesian to Ephesus to update them more on Paul’s current situation. More specifically, to give them information which will “comfort their hearts”. There is something so infinitely valuable about the testimony of a trusted friend.
Observe:
What is the most effective reference you can put on a job resume/application?
(One who your employer already knows and respects, who’s word will carry great weight.)
Also, Paul knows the value of a local leading a local church.
(See William Carey in India.)
When Paul calls Tychicus “beloved and faithful” he’s not just being complimentary. The amount of different places that this man is cited with Paul, over a huge stretch of time, and the assignments that Paul gives him, tells us he was a truly faithful friend, and one who gave his life for the cause of the gospel.
We need Tychicus-like friends in our lives.
The final salutation:
23 Peace be to the brothers and sisters, 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 incorruptible love.
Of all of Paul’s closing words in the NT epistles, this may be my favorite. I particularly like the description of the type of love that Paul encourages his readers to have for Jesus.
In most English translations, this greek word “aphtharsia” (af-thar-see’-ah) is usually translated as either “sincerity” or “incorruptible”. In fact, in Romans 2:7 this word is usually translated as “immortality”.
Paul’s point is clear, and it is a wonderful reminder and end note to the book of Ephesians.
The love with which we love Jesus should be unlike any other love. It should be sincere; meaning it should be the most real love we know.
It should be incorruptible; meaning outside forces cannot compromise or lessen this love.
And it should be immortal. This love should never die, it will go on forever and ever.
Let’s pray