“Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.” Ephesians 6.21-22
Tychicus is not a name we often hear in Scripture (I’m not even sure how to pronounce it! Google and a biblical scholar says it sounds like “ti·kuh·kuhs”). Perhaps our New Testament or Pauline scholars know all about him, but to my recollection, I’ve never once heard a sermon on Tychicus. Yet after a quick Google search, I discovered that he is mentioned five times in the New Testament including the reference above.
Here are the other four biblical references to Tychicus:
Acts 20.4, “He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.”
Colossians 4.7, “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.”
Titus 3.12, “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.”
2 Timothy 4.12, “I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.”
This is what we learn from Tychicus in these above verses — he was from the province of Asia, he was a dear brother and faithful servant of the Lord, he told the church about Paul’s whereabouts and what he was up to, he was one who was often “sent” in Paul’s place to churches.
And yet, Tychicus is not a household name. Everyone knows Paul, Peter, Timothy, but here is Tychicus, a first century minister of the gospel doing the work of God. He isn’t Paul, but he’s utilized by Paul in many ways and times when Paul was unavailable. Tychicus is a faithful disciple of Paul.
Very few of us can be Paul, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have significance in God’s Kingdom. Whether we teach Sunday school in the church, serve at youth camp or volunteer at a church rummage sale, we have purpose in Christ. We are called to make disciples, build God’s kingdom and love our neighbor. Tychicus was a fine example of someone serving often from behind the scenes. He was on a team, a part of the Body, filled with the Holy Spirit, doing what God had called and commanded him to do.
What is God calling you do to for him? Will you go where he sends you? Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus even if it known only to the Lord? Let’s strive to serve like Tychicus — available to take the gospel to the ends of the earth regardless of recognition.
“O Lord, how many faithful disciples have come and gone? How many saints have departed this world and are now spending eternity with you, receiving their reward? How many of our grand parents or great grand parents served you and put in hours devoted to the work of the Lord? Come now, Holy Spirit, help us be your people! Fill us with your purpose and mission. Call us to be your hands and feet. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen