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.” (Ephesians 6:21)
In these words we have a probable confirmation ... that the letter [to the Ephesians] was not addressed to Ephesus alone. For in this case it would be as natural for St. Paul to say here of Tychicus as he does of Onesimus in the letter to Colosse, “the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.”
It is assumed in the [Paley’s] Hora that this journey of Tychicus is the same as when he conveyed, along with Onesimus, the two other letters to Colosse. Since, however, professor Hug views them as distinct, and even places the second Epistle to Timothy between them, a few words in proof of their identity seem desirable, to preclude all doubt of the force of Paley’s observations. It is indeed strange that the learned writer, could suppose a letter, so totally different in its character and tone, to have intervened between these, where the resemblance is so marked and peculiar. The hypothesis would entirely set aside all possibility of inferring the comparative date from the general style. But in reality, the conclusions from the style, and from the historical marks, agree perfectly together.
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Author: T. R. Birks
Keywords: Ephesians, Laodicea, Laodiceans, Church at Laodicea, Circular letter, Philemon, Onesimus, Paul's inprisonment, Paul's imprisonment, Paul at Rome
Bible reference(s): Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 2:1, Colossians 4:13, Colossians 4:15-16
Source: Horae Apostolicae (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1850).
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