CONCLUSION. CHAPTER VI. 21-24.
Conclusion
But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, 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 them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruptness.
Tychicus was a native of Asia Minor[[1]], a companion and delegate of St. Paul, like Timothy and others[[2]]. He was entrusted with the task presumably of conveying this letter to the churches of Asia Minor, and certainly of informing them as to the apostle's state in his Roman imprisonment—information which could not fail to comfort and encourage them.
St. Paul brings this wonderful letter to a conclusion with a brief benediction to the brethren—an invocation upon them of divine peace, and love with faith—an invocation of divine favour upon all that 'love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruptness.' Corruption is the fruit of sin, the condition of the 'old man[[3]].' Incorruption is the state of the risen Christ, and in Him the members of His body are to be preserved, and at last raised 'incorruptible[[4]]' in body. But there is a prior 'incorruptibleness' of spirit in which all Christians are to live from the first[[5]], a freedom from all such doublemindedness or uncleanness as can corrupt the central life of the man. And to love Christ with this incorruptibility is the condition of the permanent enjoyment of all that His good favour would bestow upon us.
[[1]] Acts xx. 4.
[[2]] 2 Tim. iv. 12.
[[3]] Eph. iv. 22
[[4]] Cor. xv. 52.
[[5]] 1 Pet. iii. 4.