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Eph_6:21. Δέ ] Serving to make the transition to another subject.
καὶ ὑμεῖς ] ye also, not merely the Colossians, Col_4:8-9. See Introd. § 2. While most of the older expositors pass over this καί in silence (rightly, however, explained in a general sense by Bengel: “perinde ut alii”), Rückert and Matthies strangely enough think that it stands in contradistinction to the apostle himself. From this there would in fact result the absurd thought: “in order that not only I, but also ye may know how it fares with me.”
τὰ κατʼ ἐμέ ] my circumstances, my position, Php_1:22; Col_4:7. See Kühner, II. p. 119.
τί πράσσω ] more precise definition of τὰ κατʼ ἐμέ : what I experience. i.e. how it fares with me, how I find myself.[317] So often also in classical writers, “de statu et rebus, in quibus quis constitutus est et versatur,” Ellendt, Lex. Soph. II. 629. Comp. Ael. V. H. ii. 35, where the sick Gorgias is asked τί πράττοι , Plato, Theaet. p. 174 B; Soph. Oed. R. 74; and see Wetstein and Kypke.
Τύχικος ] See Act_20:4; Col_4:7; 2Ti_4:12. Beyond these passages unknown.
Ὁ ἈΓΑΠΗΤῸς ἈΔΕΛΦῸς ΚΑῚ ΠΙΣΤ . ΔΙΆΚ . ἘΝ ΚΥΡ .] So Paul characterizes Tychicus by way of commendation,[318] and that (a) as his beloved fellow-Christian, and (b) as his faithful official servant. As the latter, he was employed by Paul for just such journeys as the present. Comp. 2Ti_4:12. Mark likewise, according to 2Ti_4:11, receives from the apostle the testimony that he is for him εὔχρηστος εἰς διακονίαν . Others, like Grotius (comp. Calvin), do not refer διάκονος to the relation to the apostle, but explain it: servant of the gospel [minister evangelii], while Estius and many understand specially the ecclesiastical office of the deacon. But Col_4:7, where διάκονος καὶ σύνδουλος are united (the latter word softening the relation of service towards the apostle expressed by διάκονος ), speaks in favour of our view.
ἐν κυρίῳ ] belongs only to διάκονος , not to ἀδελφός as well (in opposition to Meier and Harless), since only the former had need of a specific definition (comp. on Php_1:14), in order to be brought out in its true relation (and not to bear the semblance of harshness). Not beyond the pale of Christian relations was Tychicus servant of the apostle, but in Christ his service was carried on, Christ was the sphere of the same, inasmuch as Tychicus was official διάκονος of the apostle. ἐν κυρίῳ is attached without an article, because combined with διάκονος so as to form one idea.
[317] Others, like Wolf: what I am doing. But that the reader knew. He was doing the one thing, which always occupied him. See vv. 19, 20.
[318] The assumption of a more special design as regards πιστός , namely, that it is meant to represent Tychicus as a trustworthy reporter (Grotius), is inadmissible, because Tychicus without doubt was known to the readers (Act_20:4). It was otherwise in relation to the Colossians. See on Col_4:7.