Tychicus
The believer by the name Tychicus is mentioned 5 times in the New Testament. He belonged to the province of Asia (Asia Minor). Luke affirmed this fact when he wrote, “And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (Acts 20:4). This godly minister was probably an Ephesian.
Tychicus was a faithful co-worker with Paul in the gospel ministry for the purpose of building up and encouraging the church. He matched the high qualities of a church elder that were listed in the Scriptures: “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).
A Beloved Brother
Paul intended to send Tychicus to the Collosians and spoke of him as a “beloved brother”: “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” (Colossians 4:7–8). The phrase “fellow servant” is a title of honor, for it places this godly man on a footing with Paul. Tychicus and Timothy were with Paul in Rome when Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians (ch. 1:1; 4:7).
During his second imprisonment in Rome, Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus with his epistle (2 Timothy 4:12). Again Paul affirmed his close relation to this brother to the Ephesians when he wrote, “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). This godly man served as an “interim pastor” in Crete and Ephesus probably for the purpose of taking the place of Titus and Timothy.
Paul considered Tychicus as one of his most trusted friends and messengers. With Trophimus, this brother accompanied Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem. He was mentioned by Paul in the epistle to Titus as one of his helpers in the ministry (Titus 3:12).
A Faithful Minister
In Paul’s third missionary journey, Tychicus was one of his ministers. Thus, Tychicus was a member of the delegation that accompanied Paul to Jerusalem with the contribution “for the poor among the saints” there (Romans 15:25-26; Acts 20:4). Some Bible commentators point to this brother as the unnamed faithful “brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you” (2 Corinthians 8:22).
The apostle Paul seemed to have depended on this faithful brother greatly in the ministry and gave him important tasks till the end of his life. Clearly, deep love had developed between them, for Tychicus served God as a devoted minster through Paul’s last days.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
