Because I believe that all scripture is given by God and is profitable to our instruction I couldn’t close the teaching in the book of Ephesians without Paul’s final words to them.
“Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. 20 I was sent to do this work, and this is the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.
21-22 I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. This is why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing, and he will cheer you up.
23 I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower!” Ephesians 6:19-23 CEV
Paul had been to Ephesus several times. He became their teacher and their friend. He had eaten in their homes, he knew their children’s names and their family businesses. He had seen them grow in Christ.
Now he could no longer travel and be with them in person. I’m sure he missed them and wanted to communicate that he was still committed to them and praying for them. His final visit with them was filled with tears.
“You know everything I did during the time I was with you when I first came to Asia. 19 Some of the Jews plotted against me and caused me a lot of sorrow and trouble. But I served the Lord and was humble. 20 When I preached in public or taught in your homes, I didn’t hold back from telling anything that would help you. 21 I told Jews and Gentiles to turn to God and have faith in our Lord Jesus…36 After Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 Everyone cried and hugged and kissed him. 38 They were especially sad because Paul had told them, “You will never see me again.” Then they went with him to the ship.” Acts 20:18-38 CEV
Paul was, and is, also encouraging believers to follow the Lord. A man who had been beaten on several occasions, shipwrecked, thrown into prison and now was in house arrest in Rome never wanted the Christians to be without hope.
His final words in this book bear repeating.
“23 I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace, love, and faith to every follower!” Ephesians 6:23 CEV
Peace, love and faith to every follower – may we know the truth of those words in our lives today.