The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 270

Vers. 21, 22.-The errand of Tychicus to Ephesw. The apostle showed his affec- tionate concern for tl1e Church at Ephesus, not only by writing them an Epistle, but in despatching a minister to inform them concerning his condition and labours as a prisoner, and to comfort their hearts under their various trials. It was a great mark of love and confidence to send a messenger so far, for Ephesus was many hundred miles distant from Rome. I. Tm: MESSENGER WAS TYcmcus. We know little of him except what ie told iii several passages of Scripture. "Tychicns have I sent to Ephesus" (2 Tim. iv. 12), probably in reference to this very mission. He was an Asiatic, who remained faithful 1.o the apostle amidst many desertions (Acts :x.x. 4); "a faithful minister in the Lord;" as well as" a beloved brother" of the apostle-one thoroughly acquainted with all his affairs, ar.d quite in mrmony with all his aims. How powerfully the apostle influenced all the Churches by his chosen messengers! They reflected his feelings, they intensi- fied the imrression made by his direct labours, they perpetuated the cordial relationship which bound him to all the Churches. II. TBE DE'.SlG:S OF BIS JOUR..'ffl"Y. It was twofold. 1. To acquaint the Ephesians with his circumstances as a prisoner at Rome. There were many things in that imprisonment that the Ephesians would be anxions to know, besides the state of his health and spirits. They would like to know what facilities he still enjoyed for pro- secuting his labours, even as a prisoner; how the gospel was spreading in tho great capital of the world; how the Judaic party was affectiog his legitimate influence as nn apostle; and what were the prospects of his release from imprisonment. 2. 'l'o comfort the Ephesians, not merely by minute oral information respecting these matters, but by the higher lessons of the gospel. As a faithful n;iinister in the Lord, Tychicus was capable of doing great service in explaining: and enforcing the lessons of.affliction. It i~ the business of mini.J:ters to comfort the hearts of believers, who, whether at Ephesus or elsewhere, may suffer from persecution, from S~tan'.s temptations, from spiritunl deadness. It ia a poor state of the Church when she 1s without such comforters.-T. C. Vera. 23, 24..-.Do,ibk aposwlu blessing. The apostle ends the Epistle by a blessing addressed first to the brethren at Ephesus, and secondly to all true lovers of the Lord J e,;w; C1ri£t. L BLES6ISG TO THE EROTBEBHOOD. 1. Pt,Qce. This is not mere concord-" the peace to which they were called in one body "-but everything that is implied in the favour of,Gw, repose of spirit under the_ sprin~lings of th~ blood of ~~rist, a con~inuous fl,,w of spiritual blessings. 2. Love with faith. That 1s, a love JOJDed to faith, not l,,ve and faith as two distinct ble:-singR. '!'heir faith was an actually existing fact; t\,c apostle desired that love should be there, as at oucc the characteristic and tho discoverer of faith. 3. The full blessing ia ascribed to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Gl,rut. All the graces spring: from Father and Son in the power of the Holy Cll. VI. 1-24,] THE. EPIS'l'LE 'l'O THE EPHESIANS. 271