Ephesians 6:21, commentary and pictures

Ephesians 6:21 stands in a chapter where Paul instructs husbands and wives, parents and children, and masters and servants on the principle of mutual obligation, with each respecting the right of the other. Paul addresses both slaves and masters at Ephesus, showing the masters are not heathen but fellow believers who are charged to give what is just and equal and to deal justly. The call for obedience does not put control of conscience into the hands of husband, parent, or master, for God never gives any man the right to rule another man's conscience, and the obedience of wife and child is qualified by being in the Lord.

The servant's obedience relates to temporal service, done without eyeservice as menpleasers, without answering again, without purloining, but with showing all good fidelity. Even if a master commands it, that obedience does not require breaking the Sabbath, forsaking Christian assembly, or joining idol worship. The word rendered minister and servant for Tychicus translates the Greek word diakonos, which is also rendered servant, servants, and deacon elsewhere in the New Testament.

As applied to Tychicus, the word is a general description of service and not an official church title. Tychicus, whom Paul describes as a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, was the bearer of the epistle sent to make known Paul's affairs and condition, just as he bore the epistle to the Colossians. Paul knew the believers would be anxious about him, so Tychicus's visit was meant to inform and comfort them. The likeness of the verse to Colossians 4:7 shows Ephesians was written immediately after Colossians.