-Tychicus (TY-ki-kus) is mentioned 5 times throughout the New Testament (here, and in Acts 20.4, Ephesians 6.21, 2Timothy 4.12, Titus 3.12). We never mention him today, so he no doubt slots in as one of the more undervalued members of paul’s inner circle, but we can see that Paul valued him highly. He is Paul’s deputy, entrusted with three letters, this one and its companion letter to Laodicea as well as the letter to the Ephesians. He is also charged with conveying to these assemblies all that is going on with Paul, and he must do so in a way that encourages them rather than discourages them. Which is a tall order, since as you recall, Paul is in prison.
-But Paul was confident (and so can we be) that Tychicus was up to the task. Look at how Paul describes him. He is not just a brother - He is a beloved brother. There is a close connection between these two, and part of that probably stems from the fact that Tychicus served Paul, not only alongside him but actually ministered to the man who was ministering to so many (cf Acts 19.22) - Tychicus was a faithful servant, one of a handful of guys who not only learned from Paul but ones he counted on to take care of his needs and really facilitate his ministry. These were true deacons, waiters, waiting on Paul and serving Christ as they looked after Paul’s needs. And Paul calls him a fellow slave of Jesus Christ. There was no questioning the level of his commitment to the Lord and to His cause. Tychicus was all in for Jesus, all surrendered, all His, which meant that he was not at all stuck in me-first mode. This would thus enable him to serve others-first, and that is precisely what this particular mission required. Beloved brother. Faithful servant. Fellow slave. Few like this one...
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