The Meaning of Ephesians 6:21 Explained

Ephesians 6:21

KJV: 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:

YLT: And that ye may know -- ye also -- the things concerning me -- what I do, all things make known to you shall Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful ministrant in the Lord,

Darby: But in order that ye also may know what concerns me, how I am getting on, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make all things known to you;

ASV: 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:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Ephesians 6:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Ephesians 6:13-24 - "finally, Be Strong In The Lord"
Many would be strong, but fail because they forget that they can be effectively so only "in the Lord, and in the strength of His might." Paul had a very vivid conception of the powerful forces that are arrayed against the Church. He is not dealing here especially with our personal temptations, but with those hosts of wicked spirits that lie behind the evil of the world. It is probable that the vast systems which oppose the gospel-the philosophies, temples, and priests of false religions; the trade in strong drink, impurity, and like evils; and such iniquitous institutions as the system of indentured slavery-are directly promoted and furthered by the agency of evil spirits in arms against God.
We must be pure and holy, if we are to prevail against evil; and especially must we give ourselves to prayer. To prevail in this warfare we must diligently employ the weapon of all prayer. Tychicus carried this letter. He was faithful to the end, Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12. The Epistle closes, as it began, with uncorrupted, that is, pure and eternal, love. Alford says, "This is the only truth worthy to be the crown and climax of this glorious Epistle." [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 6

1  The duty of children toward their parents;
5  of servants toward their masters
10  Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also spiritual enemies
13  The complete armor of a Christian;
18  and how it ought to be used
21  Tychicus is commended

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 6:21

That ye also may know [ινα ειδητε και υμεις]
Final clause with ινα — hina and second perfect subjunctive active of οιδα — oida For Tychicus, see note on Colossians 4:7. [source]
That ye also may know, etc. []
Compare Cicero to Atticus: “Send us some letter-carrier, that both you may know how it goes with us, and that we may know how you fare and what you are going to do” (v., 18). [source]
Tychicus []
See on Colossians 4:7. [source]
A beloved brother []
Rev., correctly, the beloved brother. Tychicus is referred to as well known. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 6:21

Acts 20:4 Tychicus and Trophimus []
See Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8; Ephesians 6:21, Ephesians 6:22; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12; Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20. [source]
Romans 1:15 So as much as in me is I am ready [ουτω το κατ εμε προτυμον]
Literally, “Thus the according to me affair is ready” It is an awkward idiom like to τα κατ εμε — ex humōn in Romans 12:18. The plural ta kat' eme we find in Philemon 1:12; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21. [source]
Ephesians 6:22 That ye may know [ινα γνωτε]
Second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō Just as in Colossians 4:8 he had not written ινα ειδητε — hina eidēte in Ephesians 6:21. [source]
Ephesians 6:22 Our state [τα περι ημων]
“The things concerning us,” practically the same as τα κατ εμε — ta kat' eme of Ephesians 6:21. See both phrases in Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8. [source]
Colossians 4:8 He might know your estate [γνῷ τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν]
The correct reading is γνῶτε τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν yemight know the things about us, or our estate. Compare Ephesians 6:21. [source]
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus []
Mentioned Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12. [source]
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus [Τυχικος]
Mentioned also in Ephesians 6:21 as the bearer of that Epistle and with the same verb γνωρισει — gnōrisei (future active of γνωριζω — gnōrizō) and with the same descriptive epithet as here Abbott suggests that Paul adds συνδουλος — sundoulos because he had used it of Epaphras in Colossians 1:7. Perhaps πιστος — pistos goes with both substantives and means faithful to Paul as well as to Christ. [source]
2 Timothy 4:12 Tychicus []
A comparatively uncommon name in N.T., but found in inscriptions of Asia Minor and on Asiatic coins. He is mentioned Acts 20:4, Acts 20:5; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7. In Acts 20:4he is described as a native of proconsular Asia. [source]
Titus 3:12 Artemas [Αρτεμαν]
Perhaps abbreviation of Artemidorus. Nothing more is known of him. Or Tychicus (η Τυχικον — ē Tuchikon). Paul‘s well-known disciple (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12). To Nicopolis Probably in Epirus, a good place for work in Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). I have determined (κεκρικα — kekrika). Perfect active indicative. I have decided. To winter there First aorist active infinitive of παραχειμαζω — paracheimazō a literary Koiné{[28928]}š word for which see note on Acts 27:12; note on 1 Corinthians 16:6. [source]
Titus 3:12 Or Tychicus [η Τυχικον]
Paul‘s well-known disciple (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12). [source]
2 Peter 3:15 Is salvation [σωτηριαν]
Predicate accusative after ηγειστε — hēgeisthe in apposition with μακροτυμιαν — makrothumian (long-suffering), an opportunity for repentance (cf. 1 Peter 3:20). The Lord here is Christ.Our beloved brother Paul (ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος — ho agapētos adelphos Paulos). Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Romans 16:5, Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Galatians 2:11-14.Given to him First aorist passive participle of διδωμι — didōmi with dative case. Peter claimed wisdom for himself, but recognises that Paul had the gift also. His language here may have caution in it as well as commendation. “St. Peter speaks of him with affection and respect, yet maintains the right to criticise” (Bigg). [source]
2 Peter 3:15 Our beloved brother Paul [ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος]
Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Romans 16:5, Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Galatians 2:11-14. [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 6:21 mean?

That now may know also you the things concerning me what I am doing all things will make known to you Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful servant in [the] Lord
Ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰ κατ’ ἐμέ τί πράσσω πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικὸς ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος ἐν Κυρίῳ

Ἵνα  That 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
εἰδῆτε  may  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τὰ  the  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κατ’  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἐμέ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
πράσσω  I  am  doing 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀναπράσσω 
Sense: to exercise, practise, to be busy with, carry on.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
γνωρίσει  will  make  known 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γνωρίζω  
Sense: to make known.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
Τυχικὸς  Tychicus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Τυχικός  
Sense: an Asiatic Christian, friend and companion of the apostle Paul.
ἀγαπητὸς  beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
ἀδελφὸς  brother 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
πιστὸς  faithful 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πιστός  
Sense: trusty, faithful.
διάκονος  servant 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάκονος  
Sense: one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.
Κυρίῳ  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.