March 06 2026

Friday March 06

Encouragement in the Family of God

Ephesians 6:21-22

We are coming to the closing verses of Ephesians chapter 6, which are also the closing verses of the entire book of Ephesians. In verses 21 and 22, Paul writes words to encourage the believers at Ephesus, even though he himself is in prison in Rome and in chains. He writes: “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; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.”  

Many believe that Tychicus was the one who carried this letter, which we call Ephesians, from Paul’s prison in Rome to the believers in Ephesus. Paul was writing while he was in chains, yet his concern was still for the believers there. He knew that the Christians in Ephesus loved him deeply and were praying for him. But Paul also understood something very important about prayer: the more we know about a situation, the more intelligently and specifically we can pray. It is important that we learn to pray specifically. General prayers are certainly good, but it is even better when we can pray with clear understanding and specific requests.

That is why Paul sent Tychicus. Paul did not want to keep his struggles or his circumstances hidden from the church. Instead, he wanted the believers to know what God was doing, how their prayers were being answered, and how the gospel was still advancing—even while he was in prison. This reminds us of something very important about the Christian life. We are never meant to walk alone. The New Testament never pictures an isolated believer. Christians are described as sheep who flock together, as members of a body who depend upon each other, and even as soldiers who stand together in the same battle.

Paul describes Tychicus with two beautiful titles. First, he calls him “a beloved brother”. My friend, in Christ believers become part of the same spiritual family. Sometimes these spiritual bonds become even deeper than the bonds we share with our natural families, because they are rooted in our shared love for the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read the Epistle of First John, you see this truth emphasized again and again.

Second, Paul calls him “a faithful minister in the Lord”. The word “minister” here simply means servant. Tychicus was a man who devoted himself to serving Christ and helping others. He assisted Paul, carried important letters, and strengthened the churches. People like Tychicus are invaluable to the work of God. They may not always stand in the spotlight, but their faithful service advances the kingdom of God. I can tell you that over my 50-plus years of pastoring, the most faithful and valuable people in the church are often not those in the limelight, but those behind the scenes who serve quietly and faithfully without recognition.

Then Paul explains why he is sending him: “Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.” Perhaps the believers in Ephesus had been discouraged when they heard about Paul’s imprisonment. But when Tychicus arrived, he would bring encouraging news about how God was still working. Even in chains, Paul was preaching the gospel, writing letters, and seeing lives changed.

This is a great reminder for us today, especially in a world that often seems so confused and filled with violence. God’s work does not stop when circumstances become difficult. In fact, sometimes God does His greatest work in the hardest situations. Just like the believers in Ephesus, we are called to encourage one another. The Christian life is not a solo journey. It is a shared walk of faith where we pray for each other, strengthen each other, and comfort one another.

That is what we should take from these closing verses in Ephesians 6. I trust you will be encouraged to pray specifically for believers around the world—especially for the Christians in Iran, and also for those suffering in the persecuted church in many other parts of the world.

May God use us today to pray for one another and to encourage one another.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.