Articles
Tychicus
Tychicus
“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).
Who was Tychicus? Although he is only explicitly mentioned five times in the New Testament, we can learn from his example as a faithful minister. We are first introduced to Tychicus in Acts 20 when he is listed with the men going ahead of Paul to Troas and mentioned as being from Asia Minor. From just a few other quick references in the epistles, we learn that Tychicus was a messenger, a fill-in preacher, and an encourager. These may not sound like the most exciting titles, but we could all grow by striving to be more like Tychicus.
Messenger
Tychicus is most often remembered as a messenger for Paul. Many of us might desire to have the persuasive and elegant writing skills of Paul, but his letters would have never been read if there was not a messenger to deliver them. Tychicus delivered the letters to the Ephesians, the Colossians, and likely Philemon. This may seem like a simple task, but giving Tychicus this job meant that Paul trusted him to complete the task with integrity. The temptation to alter Scripture for one’s own benefit exists even today, so imagine the temptation Tychicus could have had to revise or add something in the letter to benefit himself. Completing simple tasks with integrity like Tychicus is needed for the Kingdom to grow. The trustworthiness of Tychicus as a messenger is a trait that should be sought after by all of us.
Fill-In Preacher
Paul sends Tychicus to fill-in for Titus so that Titus would be able to visit Paul, “When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis” (Titus 3:12). Tychicus is also sent as a substitute so Timothy could visit Paul (2 Timothy 4:12). The names Titus and Timothy are much more recognizable than Tychicus, but the Kingdom needs people like Tychicus just as much as it needs people like Titus and Timothy. Tychicus was probably not as well spoken or as captivating as the men he filled in for, but he was willing and able to work where he was needed. People rarely desire to be a backup or an understudy, but we learn from Tychicus how needed that role is. Paul, Timothy, and Titus all benefited from Tychius’ willingness to be a backup. Our role in the Kingdom might not come with as much name recognition or spotlight as others get, but we should be happy to work wherever we are needed.
Encourager
When we think of an encourager in the Bible many of us will think of Barnabas, “which is translated Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Tychicus should also come to mind when we think of Biblical encouragers. Paul would send Tychicus to different churches to deliver his letters, but he also sent him to comfort their hearts (Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 4:8). If Paul had sent a pessimist to comfort the hearts of the Ephesians and the Colossians, updating them on Paul’s current situation would have been discouraging. Tychicus told the people all the news about Paul (Colossians 4:7) while also comforting their hearts. We often admire Paul for writing things like “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you” (Colossians 1:24), but Tychicus shows he truly understands Paul’s writing by comforting the people while updating them on Paul’s difficult circumstances. If we truly understand what the Scriptures teach, then we can be an encourager in any situation like Tychicus.
– William Speer
