EPHESIANS 6:20-24 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace to the brethren, 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 in sincerity. Amen.
Ambassador In Chains; "to be an ambassador," There is a suggestion that to be an "ambassador" for Christ involves the experience suggested by the word "elder." Elder men were chosen as "ambassadors." The Greek word for ambassador is πρεσβεύω presbeuo. Vine's (def A-1b), Strong's G4243.
As for the chains Paul's movements in Rome were restricted because at the time he was in official custody around 60 A.D.
My Notes: Currently there is a movement to detract from Paul's writings which is essentially the bulk of the New Testament. Some foolishly claim that Paul somehow decided to become a Christian for clout. When you read that he was in custody in Rome and even imprisoned it shoots down these destructive arguments.
Speak; "to speak," is sometimes translated "to say;" in the following where the AV renders it thus, the RV alters it to the verb "to speak,". The Greek word used here for "say" is λαλέω laleo. Vine's (def 2), Strong's G2980.
Moving to Verse 21.
Affairs; Ta kata, lit., "the (things), with, or respecting a (person)," is translated "affairs" in Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7, RV. The Greek word used here is πραγματεία pragmatia. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G4230. Strong's denotes that this word has the idea of "negotiation".
Beloved; in its perfect participle Passive form, is translated "beloved". The Greek word is ἀγαπητός agapao. Vine's (def B-1), Strong's G27.
Faithful Minister; Passive, faithful, to be trusted, reliable," said of the servants of the Lord. The Greek word for faithful is πιστός pistos. Vine's (def 1a), Strong's G4103.
Minister here has the idea of a servant, attendant, minister or deacon. The Greek word used here is διάκονος diakonos. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G1249.
Moving to Verse 22.
I Have Sent; My Notes: Paul had great confidence in the ministry abilities and faithfulness of Tychicus. From this, we can conclude that even in custody Paul maintained or continued to have faithful men and women spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I mention women also because Paul tells us this in Philippians 4:3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Comfort Your Hearts; Means primarily a calling to ones side. Hence an exhortation or consolation. It signifies "to be comforted". The Greek word for "comfort" is παρακαλέω parakaleo. Vine's (def B-1), Strong's G3870.
Heart here is, the heart" (Eng., "cardiac," etc.), the chief organ of physical life ("for the life of the flesh is in the blood," Leviticus 17:11), occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition, the word came to stand for man's entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life. "The Bible describes human depravity as in the 'heart', because sin is a principle which has its seat in the center of man's inward life, and then 'defiles' the whole circuit of his action, Matthew 15:19-Matthew 15:20. On the other hand, Scripture regards the heart as the sphere of Divine influence, Romans 2:15; Acts 15:9. ... The heart, as lying deep within, contains 'the hidden man,' 1 Peter 3:4, the real man. It represents the true character but conceals it" (J. Laidlaw, in Hastings' Bible Dic.). The Greek word for heart here is καρδία kardia. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G2588.
Moving to Verse 23.
Peace Be To The Brethren; Brethren denotes a brother, or near kinsman;" in the plural, "a community based on identity of origin or life." The Greek word for "brethren" is ἀδελφός adelphos. Strong's G80.
Love, Grace, Faith;
Love - ἀγάπη agape. love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast. Strong's G26.
Faith - πίστις pistis.persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself. Strong's G4102
Moving to Verse 24.
Grace - χάρις charis. graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) Strong's G5485.
In Sincerity; The last few verses of Ephesians reveal Paul's appreciation of the ministry of others, especially the ministry of Tychicus (see Col. 4:7). The fact that this letter does not conclude with personal greetings as Paul's other letters do (see Rom. 16) may indicate that this was a circular letter, one intended for a number of churches around Ephesus. Sincerity may also be translated as "without corruption". *NSB
This concludes my study of Ephesians. This is my second time through this book and I found some questions in my old notes I was able to answer this time around through just doing a more thorough study.
*Nelson Study Bible
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