I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
Parallel translations
- WEB whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
- KJV Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
- NKJV whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
- NASB I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
- NLT I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul has sent Tychicus precisely so the Ephesians would know how things stand with Paul and be encouraged. It matters because Paul cared more for comforting the church than for receiving comfort himself.
Overview
Even from prison, Paul's concern is pastoral-that the believers' hearts be strengthened and not discouraged by his imprisonment. News of his steadfastness in chains would itself encourage them to stand firm. This reflects the body-life of the church, where members are knit together so that one part's faithfulness builds up the whole.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Col 4:7–8Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
- Phil 2:25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- 1 Th 3:2We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- Phil 2:19Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
- Col 2:2that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
- 2 Th 2:17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ,' the head over all things for the church, in whom Jew and Gentile are made one new man by his blood.
How Ephesians 6:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.