Ephesians 6:21-24 (NIV)
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.
Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
This letter has been heavy on theology, instruction, and encouragement and light on personal news. As he writes this final greeting in his own hand (2 Thessalonians 3:17), Paul realized this. But rather than extending the letter further, he knows that Tychicus, who has agreed to carry the letter to its destination, will be able to update the Ephesians about what has been happening and about how he is doing, just as he would for the Colossians when he delivered Paul’s letter to them on the same journey (Colossians 4:7).
Paul closes his letter with a prayer for the peace of all the Christians in Ephesus, knowing that tumultuous times are likely to arise at any moment. But he also knows that Jesus Himself promised peace to His followers (John 14:27), and that that peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7) is an essential part of being able to stand firm when trials come.
Paul also prays God’s agape love over the Ephesians, the love that works not only in them, but through them to bring light to the dark places of the world. And he prays for faith, the powerful trust in God’s premises that moved His people to obedience and actions. Finally, he prays for grace, God’s unmerited favor for all who love Jesus. With this fourfold blessing, Paul can leave the Christians in Ephesus in God’s hands with absolute faith that they will be kept.
Father, these final blessings of Paul, peace, love, faith and grace, we so easily take for granted. I know in my own life I rarely if ever pray for these things unless I am in the midst of a trial. But I can see where they are essential for all times and places for God’s people. Lord, help me to see more clearly my own need for these graces, and to pray them consistently into my own life and into the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ every day. Amen.