Who was Tychicus in the Bible?

A Christian of Asia who accompanied Paul on his last visit to Jerusalem. He was sent by the apostle from Rome to the Ephesians and to the Colossians; and after Paul's release, Tychicus was again sent to Ephesus. Paul describes him as a beloved brother, a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord. He was thus such a one as Paul could with confidence send on these missions to 'encourage' the saints. Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12.

"Of occasional visitors in Rome, his converts or his colleagues in the Gospel, the companions of his travels and the delegates of foreign churches, not a few are named. His youthful disciple and associate Timotheus, the best beloved of his spiritual sons, seems to have been with him during the whole or nearly the whole of his captivity.1 Another friend also, who had shared with him the perils of the voyage, Luke the "beloved physician", now his fellow-labourer and perhaps his medical attendant, hereafter his biographer, is constantly by his side.2 His two favourite Macedonian churches are well represented among his companions: Philippi despatches Epaphroditus with pecuniary(?) aid, welcome to him as a relief of his want but doubly welcome as a token of their devoted love:3 Aristarchus is present from Thessalonica,4 a tried associate, who some years before had imperilled his life with St. Paul at Ephesus 5 and now shared his captivity at Rome.6 Delegates from the Asiatic churches too were with him: Tychicus,7 a native of the Roman province of Asia and probably of Ephesus its capita1,8 the Apostle's companion both in earlier and later days: 9 and Epaphras the evangelist of his native Colosse, who came to consult Paul on the dangerous heresies then threatening this and the neighbouring churches over which he watched with intense anxiety.10 Besides these were other friends old and new: one pair especially, whose names are linked together by contrast; John Mark, who, having deserted in former years, has now returned to his post and is once more a loyal soldier of Christ;11 and Demas, as yet faithful to his allegiance, who hereafter will turn renegade and desert the Apostle in his sorest need.12 To these must be added a disciple of the circumcision, whose surname 'the just' proclaims his devotion to his former faith — one Jesus, to us a name only, but to St. Paul much more than a name, for amidst the general defection of the Jewish converts he stood by the Apostle almost alone.13 Lastly, there was Philemon's runaway slave Onesimus, 'not now a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved,' whose career is the most touching episode in the apostolic history and the noblest monument of the moral power of the Gospel.14 {1. His name appears in the opening salutations of the Epistles to the Philippians, Colossians and Philemon: compare also Phil. 2:19-23. It may perhaps be inferred from St. Luke's silence, Acts 27:2, that Timotheus did not accompany St. Paul on his journey to Rome, but joined him soon after his arrival. Col. 4:14, Philemon 24. Phil. 2:25-30, 4:14-18. Col. 4:10, Philemon 24. Acts 19:29. In Col. 4:10, St. Paul styles him 'my fellow-prisoner'. Perhaps however this may refer to the incident at Ephesus already alluded to (Acts 19:29). Or does it signify a spiritual subjection … so that it may be compared to fellow-bondslave (Col. 1:7; 4:7), and fellow-soldier (Phil. 2:25, Philemon 2)? St. Paul uses the term fellow-prisoner also of Epaphras (Philemon 23) and of his 'kinsmen' Andronicus and Junias or Junta (Rom. 16:7). Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7. Acts 20:4; 2 Tim. 4:12. He is mentioned together with Trophimus, and Trophimus was an Ephesian, Acts 21:29. Acts 20:4; 2 Tim. 4:12; Compare Titus 3:12. Perhaps also he is one of the anonymous brethren in 2 Cor. 8:18, 22. Col. 1:7; 4:12. Col. 4:10; Philemon 24; Compare 2 Tim. 4:11. Col. 4:14; Philemon 24; Compare 2 Tim. 4:10. Col. 4:11. Col. 4:9, and Philemon 10, etc.

The words which follow these exhortations bring out the fellowship of saints and their different services. Tychicus is mentioned first. We find his name also in Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:12 and Titus 3:12. With Onesimus he was the bearer of this Epistle, as well as the Epistle to the Ephesians, while Onesimus carried also the letter to Philemon. Three things has Paul to say of Tychicus. He calls him the beloved brother, well known because he was a faithful minister, who preached faithfully the gospel and as such he was for the apostle a fellow-servant in the Lord. He sent him to the Colossians to tell them about his own state, and that he might know their state and comfort their hearts. "We see how Christian love delights to communicate and to hear. It was his confidence in their love; and this is shown not merely in his desire to hear about them, but in the conviction that they would like to hear about him. Can anything be sweeter than this genuine simplicity of affection and mutual interest? In a man it would be vain and curious; it is blessed in a Christian. No right-minded man, as such, could take for granted that others would care to know about his affairs any more than he theirs, unless indeed in case of a relation, or a friend, or a public and extraordinary personage. But here writes the lowly-minded apostle, in the full assurance that, though he had never seen them, or they him, it would be real and mutual gratification to know about one another from him who went between them. What a spring of power is the love of Christ! Truly charity is 'the bond of perfectness.' 'And my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord; whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your state, and comfort your hearts; with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here"' (W. Kelly). Onesimus, the once good for nothing slave, the runaway also is called a faithful and beloved brother. The Epistle to Philemon will tell us more of this. Then there was Aristarchus (Acts 19:29; 20:4) who was a fellow-prisoner of Paul and also a fellow-worker (Philemon 24). And how delightful to find Mark here, the sister's own son to Barnabas. Twelve years before, he left the work (Acts 13:13) and was the occasion of the deplorable separation between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:26-40). But now he is seen restored. (See also 2 Tim. 4:11.) The third fellow-worker for the kingdom of God, who was a comfort to the prisoner of the Lord, was Jesus Justus. These sent their greetings, as also did Epaphras. Him the Colossians knew well for this servant of Christ was one of them. He is an example of a praying saint. He continued steadfastly in prayer for them. He prayed, yea, he agonized (such is the Greek word) in prayer for the Colossians, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. He knew their danger; he had as a faithful minister communicated some of these things to the apostle. Knowing the Colossian condition, he prayed fervently. His ministry was the ministry of prayer. Paul adds his own word of commendation and approval. "For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis." Though the Laodiceans were probably even then drifting into the lukewarm condition which the Lord from heaven so fully uncovered later (Rev. 3), this servant of Christ did not stand aside, but had a prayerful and loving interest in them. Luke and Demas sent their greetings. Luke, the beloved physician, is the inspired author of the Gospel which bears his name. He also was with Paul in Rome as he was for some time his travelling companion. What a comfort the beloved physician must have been to the prisoner of the Lord! Demas is mentioned, but not a word is said about him. Was even then the evil working in his heart, which later broke out? No doubt it was. A short time afterward we read his sad story. "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present age" (2 Tim. 4:10). "Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church which is in his house. And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea " (4:15-16). (This must have been the Epistle to the Ephesians. See our introduction to Ephesians.) One more message is given. "And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it." He probably had become in one of these cities the instrument for ministry. This he had received from the Lord. He alone can call into the ministry and bestow gifts. Whatever our ministry is, faithfulness in the exercise of it is the important thing.

Acts 20. After the cessation of the tumult, the danger being over and the rioters dispersed, Paul sends for the disciples, embraces them, and departs for Macedonia. Two of the Ephesian brethren, Tychicus and Trophimus, seem to have accompanied him, and to have remained faithful to him through all his afflictions. They are frequently mentioned, and have a place in the last chapter of his last epistle, 2 Timothy 4.

The next notice relates to a labourer in whom Paul had nothing but cause for gratitude: "And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus." v. 12. Writing to the saints at Ephesus, he describes Tychicus as "a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord" (see also Col. 4:7) — no mean verdict, especially when we remember that it is one inspired by the Holy Ghost. And it was a singular mercy to the aged Apostle to have, at this moment, such a servant to send on his behalf to Ephesus.

Vv. 7-9. Two brothers in the Lord — Tychicus and Onesimus — were linked together in the service of carrying this letter to the Colossian assembly. Very happily the Apostle can speak of Tychicus as, not only a "brother", but "a beloved brother"; not only as a "minister", but as "a faithful minister"; and not only a "servant", but, as a "fellow-servant" with the Apostle in the Lord. These Christian traits were so evenly combined in this servant that his love did not hinder his faithfulness, nor his faithfulness preclude his fellowship with others. Onesimus, one of the Colossian saints is also commended as a faithful and beloved brother, though nothing is said to indicate that he took part in public ministry. Probably he was not a gifted brother. Remembering that he was socially a slave, the commendation he receives from Paul would show how thoroughly he answered to the exhortations given for the slave in this epistle.

These two brothers would make known to the Colossian brethren "all things" in connection with Paul and the Lord's interests at Rome. In order to bring back a report to the Apostle, Tychicus would learn their state, and at the same time would encourage their hearts by letting them know of the Apostle's deep interest in them. Love counted on their interest in the Apostle, even as his love desired to know their welfare.

We have, at the end of the epistle, a little glimpse of the christian activity which the love of God produces, the pains taken that the flock should enjoy all the help with which God supplies the assembly. Paul wished that Titus should come to him: but the Cretans needed his services; and the apostle makes the arrival of Artemas or Tychicus (the latter well known by the services he had rendered to Paul) the condition of the departure of Titus from the field in which he was labouring. We find too that Zenas, a lawyer, and Apollos, who had also displayed his active zeal at Ephesus and Corinth, were disposed to occupy themselves in Crete with the work of the Lord.

The Epistle to the Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul when he was a prisoner (chapter 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). There can be no doubt that the Colossian Epistle and the Epistle to Philemon were sent by Paul the same time as the Ephesian Epistle. The date was about 62 A.D. Tychicus and Onesimus, the runaway slave, but now through grace "a brother beloved" (Philemon 16) were sent to Colossae by Paul (Col. 4:7-9). Tychicus carried the letter addressed to the Colossians to correct the evils which had arisen in that church, and to warn them against the wicked doctrines which were being promulgated amongst them. Onesimus the slave carried that beautiful little Epistle addressed to his master Philemon. And at the same time when Tychicus and Onesimus left Rome, Paul handed to Tychicus the Epistle to the Ephesians. Never before and never after were such weighty and blessed documents entrusted to human messengers. The reception of the authorship of Paul has been almost universal; only in very recent times has the Pauline authorship been foolishly questioned by some rationalistic critics.

"But Tychicus I sent unto Ephesus." The Revised Version is right, the Authorized Version wrong; for the apostle draws a slight distinction here, which is expressed by "but", rather than by "and". The others had proceeded on their own responsibility. Tychicus was sent by the apostle to Ephesus. Here, again, it is in vain for us to conjecture the special object of his mission. We may assure ourselves that faith in the Lord and love to the saints were the motives. But it is well to take notice of an authority that sent him, to which none can now lay claim.

In the closing directions and greetings Artemas is mentioned first; his name does not occur elsewhere. Tychicus is mentioned in 2 Tim. 4:12. He was sent by Paul to Ephesus ; he probably was sent later to Crete to take the place of Titus. Zenas the lawyer and Apollos (Acts 18:24) were travelling companions, and the apostle expresses his loving care and interest in them.