Paul is probably under house arrest in Rome. He sends Tychicus to Ephesus, taking his letter to that church (and it is believed he took the letters to Colossae and Philemon at the same time). His letters, as we know, are full of pastoral concern - particularly, he desires them to be strengthened and to grow in maturity as they fight the spiritual warfare he has described earlier in chapter 6 and he also deals with false teachers (which is a focus of his letter to Colossae).
It was a long, difficult and dangerous journey that Paul sent his friend and brother Tychicus on, and one can only assume, therefore, that Paul felt it was critical for this to happen at a time of danger and uncertainty, when Paul himself was separated from them and his movements were restricted. How does Paul describe the mission of Tychicus? First, to tell the Ephesians how Paul and his brothers and sisters are, and what he is doing (preaching the gospel to the imperial guard and pointing both Jews and Gentiles to Christ!), and second, to encourage their hearts.
The Greek word translated "encourage" here is "parakalese". Chris spoke of it in the sermon on Sunday, as it is a name used of the Holy Spirit - the "paraklete". It literally breaks down into two parts - "calling" and "alongside" and refers very much therefore to comfort. So, Paul thought it was worth risking Tychicus's life to send him on this journey to tell the Ephesians how he and the believers in Rome were and what they were doing, and also to comfort (strengthen and encourage) them.
Thankfully, we don't have to travel many hundreds of miles today and take such risks as Tychicus did to accomplish these goals! But if it is much easier for us to tell each other how we are and how we are doing, and to seek to comfort and encourage each other, that doesn't make it less important than it was in Paul's day - so let's seek out opportunities to be in the "parakalese" business with one another when we are separated and it's not so easy for us to meet face to face!
