6:22a
I have sent him to you: When Paul wrote this letter, Tychicus was with him. They were probably in Rome, and Paul sent him to Ephesus where the people who received this letter were.
sent him: Some languages have a different word for “send things” and “send a person.” If the verb “send” in your language has the idea of forcing someone to go against his will, then you could say:
I am asking him to go to you
-or-
I am asking him to go to visit you
for this very purpose: The phrase this very purpose is restated in the following clause, “that you may know how we are.” Paul is restating what he said in 6:21b, but making it more general by including the people who were with him when he wrote the letter.
that you may know about us: As stated above, this clause is similar in meaning to the clause in 6:21b, “that you also may know how about me and what I am doing.” Here, Paul is including those who were with him when he was writing this letter to the Ephesians.
about us: The pronoun us refers to Paul and his companions.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
to tell you how all of us are getting along (Good News Translation)
-or-
to let you know how we are doing (New Living Translation (2004))
6:22b
that he may encourage your hearts: The clause that he may encourage your hearts means that Paul wanted Tychicus to comfort the Ephesian Christians and to cheer them up so they would not feel sad that Paul was in prison.
Your language may have an idiomatic expression that means encourage. For example:
strengthen your hearts
-or-
stand strong ⌊in the Lord⌋
General Comment on 6:21–22
In some languages it may be clearer to take the main clause of 6:22a, “I am sending him to you,” and state it at the beginning of 6:21. For example:
22a
⌊I have asked Tychicus to go to visit you,⌋ 21a so he can tell you all the news, 21b and so you will know how I am and what I am doing. 21a Tychicus is our relative in the faith whom I love, and he faithfully serves the Lord. 22a So, I am sending him so he can tell you what is happening to us here. 22b And in that way he can encourage you.
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