This will be the last post in our series on Ephesians. I’d like to thank you, my readers, who have taken the time to read these 28 posts, and I pray they have been a benefit to you.
Like many of his letters, the apostle Paul closes this glorious epistle with some practical exhortations and a commendation.
The Text
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, 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 incorruptible love. (Ephesians 6:18-24)
Verse18 seems to be much clearer in the New King James Version. It reads as followed:
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Paul urged his readers to take the sword of the Spirit which he identifies as the word of God, and utilize it in their spiritual battle against the rulers, powers, world forces and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (v.12), now that same Spirit that empowered the sword is to be used as a power in prayer. The Spirit should be what guides their prayers. It is through that Spirit because it is He who makes intercession for us according to the will of God when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26-27). There is an emphasis upon the term “all” so that we are to pray always, with all prayer and supplication, with all perseverance and for all the saints.
Christians should be praying for all believers. We recognize that with the sheer number of the saints in this world and our lack of knowing each one, we believe that this is a prayer for the well-being of the saints in general and intreating the Lord on their behalf. This could also be referring to those local believers that they were acquainted with. When we pray, it should always be in the Spirit, and with a goal to ask based upon the will of the Lord.
Another emphasis is that we should be on alert. This watchfulness is towards the perseverance and petitions of all the saints. This was probably meant in relation to the Lord’s coming and our remaining faithful and behaving like Christians while we await His glorious return (Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).
Requesting Prayer for Self
The great apostle Paul not only requested prayer on behalf of the saints in Asia Minor but also entreated them to pray for him as well. His request includes utterances or the right words to share with others the mystery of the gospel with boldness. The term “mystery” has been used on several occasions and in several contexts throughout the epistle (1:9; 3:3-4, 9; 5:32) generally denoting a revealing of this mystery, not as something completely unknown, but as something only partially known that requires a fuller revelation. The mystery of the gospel is what the gospel reveals mainly good news that all men, no matter their categorization as Jew, Gentile, man, woman, slave or free, may be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ (See Ephesians 3:6).
The Chained Ambassador
Paul was a key representative of this gospel, and his prayer is that he would be able to clearly and courageously herald it. This was especially significant in his current circumstances as an ambassador in chains. The parallel of this text is found in 3:1-9 where he speaks in similar terms as a prisoner, or a steward (v.2), who makes to them known the mystery (v.3), the mystery of Christ (v.4), as an apostle (v.6), and a minister who preached the gospel to the Gentiles (v.8). The fact that he is an ambassador in chains demonstrates the hatred and suffering that the gospel brings. This prayer for boldness may be in relation to his appeal to Caesar, where his imprisonment in Rome serves as an open door for him to address the emperor. Notice that Paul doesn’t ask for prayer to be released from prison but that he might be bold in representing his message while in prison and to whatever end.
A Brief Update
Prayer requests need to be communicated, and ongoing petitions usually require some form of continued updates. It is one of the key texts also to indicate the parallel writing of both Ephesians and Colossians. This text in v.21 is almost verbatim with what we find in Colossians 4:7-9
As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
Paul appointed Tychicus to be his messenger to the churches to share with them Paul’s circumstances. But Tychicus was not only a messenger to one church such as Ephesus, but perhaps multiple churches in Asia Minor including Colossae. It was important to Paul to make sure those praying for him knew of his circumstances and provide context for the prayers of the saints.
Tychicus himself was a Gentile probably born in Asia Minor. We read of him accompanying the apostle Paul in Greece during his third missionary journey:
When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. We sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. (Acts 20:2-6)
Paul sent him to Ephesus for an undisclosed work there (2 Timothy 4:12) and eventually sent him to Crete to replace Titus (Titus 3:12). Paul had a deep trust in him and saw him as a faithful helper. Paul entrusted him to share of the news of the gospel and to have a peace of mind that the one carrying this letter to the churches would do so faithfully.
Paul also knows that those who would obtain this letter would be grateful to have received news of him while he laid in prison. The letter was sent with information that he hoped would comfort your hearts. He knew that the churches were distressed by the news of his imprisonment and desired to know his circumstances. Many churches today who love their pastor are always concerned for his needs and circumstances. They want to be kept informed much like the situations of a family member.
The Closing Benediction
The last two verses, much like any epistle writer in this time period, concluded with a desire to bless and wish the well-being of the recipients. While some render these similar to a modern signature, Paul was actually bestowing upon them a blessing. The first is that he wished them peace. He is probably referring to the peace of God. The third person to the brethren, is probably used to communicate an offering of peace to all the churches. He also blesses them with a desire for them to be loved with faith, a love that flows from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is a divine love, not made with human hearts!
Finally, he wishes them grace or unmerited favour for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ. This is probably another way of saying “believers” or “the regenerate”, who’s hearts of stone have been taken out and who’ve received a heart of flesh. That love that is a Spirit filled love, not a corruptible love. It loves Jesus without blemish. To those, he prays that they receive God’s grace.
The Moncton Herald 