OK, Tychicus, are you ready to start? Listen, brother, I’m really sorry your hand cramped up so badly . . . I have to admit, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a pen fall out of someone’s hand like that. —But you’re better now? Good. Thank you.
Just let me put myself in the proper frame— Yes, I’m going to take a minute to think about—well, I know we’re planning to send this around all the churches in the province of Asia, but “Asians” sounds strange, and the only church I really know is Ephesus; I’m just going to call them “Ephesians.” If I can fix them in my mind’s eye, it will be like I’m talking directly to them. You know that’s how I work.
No, I don’t want to sit down, I think better standing up. —Something to lean against? You’re right, I’m not feeling well; that might be a good idea. —Though I think you’re just hoping if I walk less, I’ll talk less.
So . . . where did you put the copy you made? —Oh, right, I’m holding it. Thank you. Now, where were we? . . . Hmmmm . . . Tychicus, I never finished my prayer for the Ephesians—I must have forgotten I was writing a prayer, because I went off on a tangent. It was a good tangent, but still . . . I wonder why we didn’t catch that? —You caught it? Of course you did. Why didn’t you tell me? —Because it was a good tangent and you didn’t want to interrupt me? Well, that’s something, anyway.
Still, I need to finish that prayer. So, let’s see, where did I leave off—mutter mutter “no longer exiles and resident aliens, fellow citizens with the members of the house of God, built on the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus the cornerstone, being built by the Spirit into a temple for God.” OK. Ready? Good. Continuing: