Commentary - Ephesians 6:21-22

Bird's-eye view

In these closing verses of his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul shifts from the grand doctrinal heights of heavenly places and the gritty realities of spiritual warfare to the warm, personal business of Christian fellowship. This is not a letdown or an afterthought. Rather, it is the necessary and tangible expression of everything he has just written. The cosmic realities of our union with Christ must have a local address. Paul, a prisoner for the Lord, understands that the church is not an abstract concept but a flesh-and-blood community of saints who need to know how their brethren are faring. He therefore dispatches Tychicus, a man whose character is as important as his message, to serve as a living link between the apostle and the church. These verses show us that the gospel travels on the feet of faithful men, and that encouragement is a primary means of grace for soldiers weary from the battle.

Paul’s purpose here is twofold. First, he wants the Ephesians to have an accurate report of his circumstances. This is not mere gossip, but a vital part of their shared life in Christ. They had been praying for him, and he for them, and such updates are the necessary fuel for intelligent and fervent prayer. Second, and just as important, he sends Tychicus to encourage their hearts. The abstract doctrines of salvation must be applied, and one of the primary ways this happens is through the personal ministry of a faithful brother. Tychicus is sent not just with news, but with the charge to comfort and strengthen the saints. This is how the body of Christ works; it is a web of mutual concern, information, and encouragement, all grounded in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Outline

Context In Ephesians

Having just laid out the full armor of God and called the Ephesians to stand firm in spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10-20), Paul now provides a practical demonstration of how the body of Christ functions in the midst of that war. The fight is not waged by isolated individuals. It is a corporate struggle, and soldiers need to know that they are not alone. Paul’s sending of Tychicus is therefore a strategic act. It reinforces the unity of the Spirit that Paul has labored to explain throughout the epistle (Eph. 4:3). The high theology of the first three chapters and the practical exhortations of the next three all come to a point here, in the simple, loving act of sending a brother to give a report and offer encouragement. This is theology with its boots on. The great mystery of Christ and the Church is worked out in these mundane, glorious details of ordinary fellowship.

Key Issues

Verse by Verse Commentary

Ephesians 6:21

But that you also may know about all my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

But that you also may know about all my affairs... Paul assumes a mutual interest. He has been instructing them, praying for them, and now he wants them to be brought up to speed on his situation. This is how families operate. The word for "affairs" is a general one, covering his personal well-being, the state of his ministry in prison, and his prospects for the future. This is not idle curiosity. For the church to function as a body, the various members must have some knowledge of one another. Paul is not a detached celebrity apostle; he is a brother, and he wants his fellow saints to know how he is getting on.

how I am doing... This is a simple, human touch. After soaring in the heavenlies, Paul brings it right down to earth. "How am I doing?" It is a question we all want answered about those we love and pray for. The spiritual life is not a disembodied existence. Paul is in chains, and he knows that the report of his condition, his spiritual state as well as his physical, matters deeply to those who love him.

Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord... Before Tychicus says a word, Paul tells us who he is. His credentials are not found in a seminary degree, but in his character. First, he is a "beloved brother." This speaks of affection and family relationship. He is not just a functionary or a courier; he is part of the family, loved by Paul and, by extension, to be loved by the Ephesians. This is the relational glue of the church. Second, he is a "faithful servant in the Lord." The word is diakonos, from which we get our word deacon. It means he is a minister, a servant. And his service is marked by faithfulness. He can be trusted. He will not embellish the report or shrink back from telling the truth. And his service is defined by its sphere: "in the Lord." His entire identity and ministry are wrapped up in Christ. This is the kind of man you send on an important mission. Character is the foundation of all true ministry.

will make everything known to you. Tychicus is the authorized messenger. Paul is delegating this task to him with full confidence. He will give a full and accurate report. This shows us the importance of reliable communication within the church. We are not to be left to rumor and speculation. Faithful men are to bring faithful reports, so that the body can respond with faithful prayer and thanksgiving.

Ephesians 6:22

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know our circumstances, and that he may encourage your hearts.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose... This was not an accidental journey. Paul’s action is deliberate, intentional. Ministry is purposeful. Tychicus has a specific mission brief. Paul is a wise general, ensuring his lines of communication are strong and that his troops are cared for. He doesn't just hope the Ephesians will be encouraged; he takes concrete steps to see that they are.

so that you may know our circumstances... This repeats the idea from the previous verse, but with a slight change of wording that emphasizes the shared nature of Paul's situation. He says "our" circumstances, likely including his fellow laborers like Timothy or Epaphras. Paul's imprisonment was a team affair. The knowledge of these circumstances was intended to bind the Ephesians more tightly to the apostolic mission. When you know the specifics of a brother's trial, you can pray with greater precision and love with greater understanding.

and that he may encourage your hearts. This is the ultimate goal. The information is not an end in itself. The news, whether good or bad, is meant to be a vehicle for encouragement. The Greek word is parakaleo, which has a rich range of meaning: to comfort, to exhort, to strengthen, to encourage. Tychicus was not just a newscaster; he was a pastor. He was sent to apply the balm of the gospel to their hearts. Hearing of Paul’s faithfulness in chains would be an encouragement. Hearing of God’s provision would be an encouragement. And whatever words Tychicus himself brought, inspired by the Spirit, would be aimed at building them up. This is a central task of the church. We are to be a people who constantly and intentionally encourage one another's hearts, reminding each other of the truth of the gospel until Christ returns.

Key Words

Diakonos, "Servant/Minister"

The Greek word diakonos is foundational to our understanding of Christian ministry. In the classical world, it often referred to a table waiter, someone who served others. The New Testament baptizes this word and elevates it. Jesus Himself came not to be served, but to serve (diakoneo) and to give His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45). Paul calls Tychicus a faithful diakonos "in the Lord." This is not a description of a low-level task, but a high calling. It signifies a practical, active, and faithful service rendered on behalf of Christ for the good of His people. It is a ministry defined not by status or power, but by loyalty and reliability. To be a "servant in the Lord" is to have one's entire life oriented around the practical needs of the saints, all for the glory of the Master.

Application

The great doctrines of our faith are not meant to remain in the stratosphere. They are meant to be lived out in the nitty-gritty of our relationships with one another. Paul’s concern for the Ephesians’ state of mind, and his desire for them to know his, is a model for our fellowship. We live in an age of curated images and superficial connections, but the church is called to something far more substantial.

We need more men like Tychicus, men whose primary credential is that they are a "beloved brother and faithful servant." Our churches should be factories for producing such men. And we all have a role in the ministry of encouragement. We are not to be spiritual islands. We have a responsibility to know how our brothers and sisters are doing and to take active, purposeful steps to encourage their hearts. This might mean sending a text, making a phone call, or, like Paul, dispatching a trusted friend. The point is that our fellowship must be tangible. The health of the church depends on this web of mutual knowledge, prayer, and encouragement. The gospel creates a family, and this is how that family is supposed to live.