SECTION ΧΙΙ.

CHAPTER VI. 21-24.

EPILOGUS.

TEXT.

21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

PARAPHRASE.

21 Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful minister of the Lord, in the work of the Gospel, shall acquaint you how matters stand with me, and how I do, and give you a parti22 cular account how all things stand here. I have sent him, on purpose, to you, that you might know the state of our affairs, 23 and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, and the 24 Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those that love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity a.

NOTES.

24 & Εν αφθαρσία, " in sincerity," so our translation; the Greek word signifies "in incorruption." St. Paul closes all his epistles with this benediction, "grace be with you;" but this here is so peculiar a way of expressing himself, that it may give us some reason to inquire what thoughts suggested it. It has been remarked more than once, that the main business of his epistle is that which fills his mind, and guides his pen, in his whole discourse. In this to the Ephesians he sets forth the Gospel, as a dispensation so much, in every thing, superior to the law; that it was to debase, corrupt, and destroy the Gospel, to join circumcision and the observance of the law, as necessary to it. Having writ this epistle to this end, he here, in the close, having the same thought still upon his mind, pronounces favour on all those that love the Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption, i. e. without the mixing or joining any with him, in the work of our salvation, that may render the Gospel useless and ineffectual. For thus he says, Gal. v. 2, " If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." This I submit to the consideration of the judicious reader.

INDEX.

N. B. Where letters are added to the numbers, they refer to Notes at