The Place to Be #29

 

Ephesians 6:21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

Paul had written this letter both to warn and to encourage this church to stand strong together, realizing they had been build upon a firm foundation by Christ. In order to help encourage them, he knew the best thing was to send a "living" testimony - a fellow believer both recognized and appreciated by both Paul and the church.  Tychicus was such a person - a fellow-believer and partner in ministry. He would give them a verbal report on how Paul was doing. Since he was in prison they would have a lot of questions. Tychicus could answer their questions much more quickly and in greater detail than any letter, but this letter would add authority and clarity to his written report.  This is consistent with the theme of the letter: that there is nothing which will substitute for physical presence with God's people, the Church. We need one another.  It is a big part of the plan of God.  Without one another we will never fully realize all that God has for us, together and individually, in Christ.