[Power of the Word] Tychicus
Daniel Brady
“But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all
things known to you; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you
may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.” --Ephesians
6:21-22
Finally, after more than three years, we are nearing the end of our study in the book of Ephesians. There are only two more verses after these two currently being dealt with. In fact, the final four verses of chapter 6 comprise Paul’s closing to his letter. And yet, even at that, what we can learn from them is very significant.
Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus that he has sent Tychicus to them. My presumption is that Paul had not sent him before writing his letter, although this is possible. It would seem more reasonable that Tychicus was the one to deliver this letter to Ephesus. And then while he was there, he updated the Ephesian church on Paul’s condition in Rome and sought to encourage and comfort the members of that church, who, no doubt, were concerned for Paul.
We do not know much of Tychicus from the Bible, even though he is mentioned five times in the New Testament. However, what we do know of him is quite significant.
The first mention of Tychicus is found in Acts 20:4, where he was named as one of Paul’s companions as he left Ephesus, heading for Macedonia. While we cannot be certain, this would seem to indicate that Tychicus had been a citizen of Ephesus, became a Christian as a result of Paul’s ministry there, and decided to go with Paul when he moved on from there. Seeing that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written from Rome, it would stand to reason that Tychicus remained with Paul from the time he left Ephesus until he arrived in Rome, and then even remained with Paul in Rome at least until Paul sent him back to Ephesus.
Paul’s sending of Tychicus is not only mentioned here, but also in his second letter to Timothy, in which he simply says, “And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus” (II Tim. 4:12). However, Tychicus trip to Ephesus seems not to be the only errand Paul sent him on. There was at least one other, and perhaps two. In Colossians 4:7-8, Paul says, “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts.” In Titus 3:12, Paul requests Titus’ presence by saying, “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.”
So Tychicus had been sent to Colosse, as well as to Ephesus, with the same purpose. And it may be that, having written both letters from Rome, Paul instructed Tychicus to deliver both letters on the same trip. Then again, if Paul did not write both letters at the same time, then Tychicus would have delivered one letter, returned to Paul, and then delivered the other. But there’s no way to be certain. And then, it is possible, although not likely, that Paul also sent Tychicus to relieve Titus as he was ministering in Crete. In all probability, though, it was Artemas who was sent to Crete, since in Titus 3:12, he is mentioned first, indicating that Paul wanted to send him, but would send Tychicus if Artemas could not make the trip, or if Paul were to change his mind.
So what does this teach us? That Tychicus was a trusted companion of Paul’s. Paul was confident in Tychicus’ ability to carry out his mission. For Paul refers to him as a faithful minister. In addition, Tychicus was more than just an errand boy for Paul. He also had a pastor’s heart. For his purpose in journeying to Colosse (at least) was “that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts.”
Next time, I will seek to make practical application of what we learn from Tychicus’ life.
Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.