Comfort (6:21-22): As Paul closes his letter, he cares for a Gentile church that shows how precious she is in the sight of God.[1] He loves this church and sends his long-time ministry partner Tychicus to personally update them about his own circumstances.[2] They are no second-class citizens in his eyes (2:19; 3:6), and he doesn’t send just any messenger but “the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,” who will comfort them. While Paul is the one suffering in prison, he selflessly seeks the comfort of the church which the Lord loves. Oh that we would love the church more and more even as the Lord does!
Benediction (23-24): Paul’s love is further expressed in his benediction for this church.[3] He often gives a blessing like this in his letters to the church[4] comprised of true believers. He identifies his audience as “brethren,” those who belong to God’s spiritual family.[5] He also describes them as those who love their Lord Jesus Christ with an enduring love.[6] True believers love their Lord. He is not merely our head and our Master and our Teacher, but the object of our ardent love, He who is our “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), “the Guardian of our souls” (1 Pet. 2:25), “the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23), etc.
[1] Paul loves the churches. He shares his life with them (1 Thes. 2:8; 2 Cor. 6:11-13) and he sets their needs above his own (Phil 2:3-5, 19-21; 2 Cor. 12:15). This he does because the church is deeply precious in the sight of God (2:19-22; 5:25-27, 29-30).
[2] This would likely be an uplifting update. Paul’s first Roman imprisonment leads to a progress of the gospel (Phil. 1:12-18). Even some within Caesar’s household have come to faith in Christ (Phil. 4:22).
[3] This benediction consists of peace, love, faith and grace all of which are sourced from God.
[4] Paul typically ends his letters to the churches with a word of benediction like here (cf. 1 Cor. 16:23; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 6:18; 1 Thes. 5:28; 2 Thes. 3:18). Paul longs for all the churches of God to be blessed of God.
[5] Believers in Christ are adopted into God’s family (1:5; John 1:12), obey the Lord and He considers them brethren (Luke 8:21; John 20:17-18; Heb. 2:11).
[6] Paul elsewhere uses “imperishable” (“incorruptible”) to describe that which lasts forever (“immortal”) in 1 Cor. 15:53-54. Imperishable speaks of an everlasting/enduring love for the Lord. This is what believers have for the Lord: an “undying love” (NET, NIV). We steadfastly love Him who gave Himself up for us (5:2, 25).