6:21–22 Ephesians ends in a rather unexpected and uncharacteristic way: First, the personal references to Tychicus and a specific congregation(s) conflict with the impersonal and universal nature of the epistle. The most that one can say is that Tychicus, who is the bearer of Colossians and Philemon, may be taking Ephesians to the congregations in Asia Minor as well. Here Tychicus is considered a dear brother and faithful servant, who will give news of the apostle’s situation in prison.

Second, there is the problem of verbal correspondence with Colossians. Mitton has noted that “thirty-two consecutive words in Ephesians are identical with a similar number of words from Col. …