Tychicus
Eph. 6:20-21
Introduction
We are on the end part of this wonderful Epistle. Paul after asking his brethren to pray for him now gives them comfort and encouragement by sending them Tychicus. What’s so special about this man? He was mentioned five times in the New Testament. Actually, seven times, once in Eph. 6:24 which is probably added by the translators to inform us he was Paul’s scribe in writing the Epistle. The other one is in Colossians 4:18, also to let us know that the letter of Paul to the Colossians were written from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus. Again, he was the scribe. His name means happy or
fortunate. Let’s find out more about him.
I. Paul calls him Beloved brother
A. Obviously, he was a Christian, one who heard the good news about salvation in Christ.
B. He must have repented form his sins and received Christ as his personal Saviour.
C. After he got saved, he must have involved himself on the work for the Lord.
D. He must have been a very faithful Christian that he won the affection of Paul who call him beloved brother.
E. As a brother in Christ he must have been loved also by his brethren in the church.
F. Do you consider yourself a beloved brother or sister in Christ in the Church where you are a member?
G. A good illustration of what a brother or sister in Christ is illustrated below:
Illustration: A Christian is . . .
One who is Saved (2 Tim. 1:9) One who is Sealed (Eph. 1:13) One who is Seated (Eph. 2:6) One who is Sanctified (1 Cor 6:11) One who is Secure (John 10:28) One who is Separated (John 17:16) One who is Sustained (2 Cor. 9:8) One who is a Son of God (Rom. 8:14) One who is a Saint (1 Cor 1:2) One who
is a Servant (Col. 3:24) One who is a Supplicant (1 Tim. 2:1) One who is a Soldier (2 Tim. 2:3) One who is a Stone (1 Peter 2:11) One who is a Sheep (1 Peter 2:25) One who is a Steward (1 Peter 4:10) One who is a Sufferer (1 Peter 4:16–19) One who will see the Lord (1 John 3:2)
Pulpit Helps, March 1979, Scocaster, December 4, 1994
II. Paul calls him faithful minister in the Lord.
A. The Greek word for minister here is “diakonos”.
B. It means deacon, minister or servant.
C. As a faithful minister, he must have an exemplary life and testimony. (1 Tim. 3:8)
D. His spiritual maturity must have been proven. (1 Tim. 3:10)
E. He must have a good reputation in the church and the community. (Acts 6:3)
F. He must be a man of faith. (Acts 6:5).
G. He was faithful in missionary services, he accompanied Paul in on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4).
H. As a servant, he was faithful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Illustration: Servant
“Servant” in our English New Testament usually represents the Greek doulos (bondslave). Sometimes it means diakonos (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate, for doulos and diakonos are synonyms. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his master’s purchased property. Bought to serve his master’s needs, to be at his beck and call every moment,
the slave’s sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one’s Savior (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
What work does Christ set his servants to do? The way that they serve him, he tells them, is by becoming the slaves of their fellow-servants and being willing to do literally anything, however costly, irksome, or undignified, in order to help them. This is what love means, as he himself showed
at the Last supper when he played the slave’s part and washed the disciples’ feet.
When the New Testament speaks of ministering to the saints, it means not primarily preaching to them but devoting time, trouble, and substance to giving them all the practical help possible. The essence of Christian service is loyalty to the king expressing itself in care for his servants (Matt. 25: 31-46).
Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know-how or particular
branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self-centered and loveless are a blight to the church rather than a blessing.
Your Father Loves You by James Packer, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986, page for March 3
III. He was a messenger (Eph. 6:22)
A. He was the bearer of Paul’s letters. He probably carried the letters of Colossians and Philemon to Asia Minor and was accompanied by Onesimus. He also possibly may have carried the letter of Ephesians to all the churches of Asia Minor.
B. Because of Tychicus Paul’s influence was able to spread much farther.
C. Because of this man, the influence of the Gospel spread much farther also.
D. His name may not be so popular but his work made a very great contribution to the spread of Christianity.
E. In the church your work, contribution, or ministry may not be popular or
appreciated but the Lord knows it, and for me that’s enough. The thing is you will have your reward when the Lord comes.
IV. He was a comforter (Eph. 6:22)
A. How can Tychicus do this?
B. Tychicus was to make known to the Ephesians the true cause of Paul’s sufferings and imprisonment. Paul was not guilty of any crime but was imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
C. To keep them from being discouraged because of his life in prison. He must have told them his chains and imprisonment did not prevent Paul from telling the good news of salvation.
D. To inform them that even in prison, Paul can rejoice.
E. Christian, can you rejoice always? Can you be used by the Lord to comfort others who are in pain and suffering?
V. Conclusion:
Tychicus is a man of God. He may not be so popular compared to the apostles and other servants of the Lord but he made a great contribution to Christianity. Because of man like him, the good news of salvation spread farther and souls have been converted and comforted. You don’t have to be popular in the church to serve Christ. The world needs a man like Tychicus. Who you be like him?
