An Undying Love For Christ
AN UNDYING LOVE FOR CHRIST
EPHESIANS 6:21-24
Paul closes his letter with a blessing of peace and “love with faith.”
Paul closes all his letters with a personal section, addressing specific believers. In this letter, however, he is writing to a church he has never visited and about which he has learned only through others (1:15). He is unable to identify any of his readers by name, so he conveys a general blessing on the entire congregation.
The first two verses are nearly identical to Colossians 4:7-9, where Paul tells the Colossians that in addition to the letter he is carrying, Tychicus will give a report on the apostle’s present circumstances—details of his imprisonment. He extends the same courtesy to the other churches of the Lycus Valley because he sees in his situation a ground for encouragement to other Christians. God has not abandoned him, but has given him a ministry in spite of adversities. He wants his readers to know the reality of God’s faithfulness to them as well.
The letter opened with a prayer for grace and peace (1:2). It is brought to a close with a blessing that sounds again the note of peace. “Peace be with you” were customary words people said when leaving each other. Paul expands this to include “love with faith.” His prayer is that the love of God may inform faith, and that faith may give direction to the expression of that love.
The appropriate response to God’s love is an undying love for Jesus Christ, a love that Paul says should be incorruptible, suggesting a love that would not change or decay. This quality of love is never a human achievement, but owes its existence to the life of Christ within the believer. It belongs to that heavenly sphere in which God has blessed us (1:3).
Christians live on the earth, but they experience a quality of life and emotion that transcends the possibilities of unredeemed human nature. Paul prays that God’s favor may remain with all who demonstrate a sustained incorruptible love for the Lord who loved us and died for us.