Tychicus — Delivering Messages
Jeremy Northrop
There are always jobs that no one (or at least very few people) wants. Yet, it is usually the case that these jobs, though undesirable, are necessary if the overall purpose is to be obtained. For example, people may not want to do the work of a sanitation department, but if the waste is to be maintained, then the job is essential. In every organization, including the church, there are those positions which have more prominence and publicity than others. The preacher is usually recognized before the person who cleans the building or the one who keeps the flower arrangements.
Tychicus was the type of person who was willing to do the seemingly lesser jobs so that the overall purpose of spreading the gospel of Christ could be maintained and accomplished. He is only mentioned five times in the New Testament. That is significantly less than Paul or Peter or someone else. Yet, a close look at the five times he is mentioned reveals some intriguing information about him. Tychicus was the type of person who was willing to do whatever needed to be done.
The first time Tychicus is mentioned is found in Acts 20:4. There, the Bible says, “And Sopater of Berea accompanied him [Paul] to Asia--also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.” In the context, Paul and his cohorts left Ephesus after a small dissention occurred. Paul went to Greece and stayed there three months (Acts 20:3). He wanted to leave and go to Syria and decided to do so by way of Macedonia. Acts 20:4 mentions several men who went with Paul to Asia and waited for Paul at Troas. Among these men was Tychicus. Paul joined them in Troas in Acts 20:6. Interestingly very little is said of these men. Yet, what is learned is valuable. There were men, like Tychicus, who wanted to follow Paul’s example of mission work. These seven men were obviously spiritually minded and were willing to help Paul in whatever way they could.
Next, Tychicus is mentioned in Ephesians 6:21 where the text says, “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.” Paul wanted the Ephesians to know how he was doing. This may imply that the Ephesians were concerned for Paul. In order to inform them, Paul sent Tychicus to them. Interestingly, Tychicus was one who was willing to take a back seat to Paul and even deliver messages for Paul so the brethren could be informed about him. It is also interesting how Paul describes Tychicus to the Ephesians. He was “a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.” Does any more really need to be said? Not a lot is said about Tychicus but those words count as they are by inspiration. Christians today need to strive for such an accommodation.
Paul makes a very similar statement about Tychicus in Colossians 4:7. There, the Bible says, “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.” First, notice Tychicus was willing to go to Ephesus and Colosse to inform the brethren of Paul’s condition. Here three things are said of Tychicus which give insight into the kind of man he was: (1) He was a beloved brother. Paul esteemed him very highly. (2) He was a faithful minister ministering to Paul and for Paul. (3) Paul finally describes him as a fellow servant in the Lord. Whatever else is said of Tychicus, it is obvious that Paul had a high regard for him. When this is coupled with the fact that the Holy Spirit chose to preserve Paul’s words about Tychicus, it helps the modern day Christian to understand that while he may not have done much, he did what he could and was esteemed highly for it.
The implication of the passages in Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7 were that Tychicus willingly did whatever Paul would have him to do. This is confirmed in the next place where he is mentioned in the New Testament — 2Timothy 4:12. Paul exhorted Timothy, “And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.” Many commentators estimate that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and Colossians were written somewhere around A.D. 61-62 while the letters to Timothy were written later around A.D. 66-67. These dates indicate that Paul may have sent Tychicus to Ephesus more than once. He sent him to Ephesus in Ephesians 6:21 to inform them of his condition. Then, he informs Timothy he sent him to Ephesus and no reason is given. Tychicus was willing to go where Paul needed him. Christians today need to be willing to go were God needs them.
The final place Tychicus is mentioned in the New Testament provides more of the same kinds of conclusions already drawn about him. Titus 3:12 says, “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.” Paul asked Titus to come to him and was willing to send one of two men apparently to take over the work Titus was doing in Crete. Again, it is apparent that Tychicus was willing to go wherever Paul needed him to go. He was willing to take a back seat to Paul so that the work of the Lord could continue.
In 1Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul makes a comparison between the physical human body and the spiritual body of the church. One of the applications he makes is that every member must do their part if the body is going to grow and function. It may not seem like men such as Tychicus did much. Yet, from Paul’s perspective, he no doubt did. He was willing to go wherever the work was and do whatever needed to be done. This faithful helper enabled Paul to accomplish even more for the cause of Christ. Today, it may not seem like some members do much of anything. Their work may get lost in the limelight of others. Yet, they too are much needed parts of the work. And they will be rewarded for the work they do by the One whose opinion matters the most — the great God of Heaven.
