Thursday, 10 May 2018
And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 2 Timothy 4:12
The Greek more correctly reads, “But Tychicus…” Paul has asked for Timothy to join him. He then said that Demas had forsaken him, that Crescens departed for Galatia, and that Titus had gone to Dalmatia. He then noted that Luke was still with him. After that he noted that Mark should be brought along too, being useful to the ministry. With all of that understood, he then says, “But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.” Others had forsaken, voluntarily left, or voluntarily stayed, but Tychicus was personally sent by Paul. This may partially explain why Paul especially wants Timothy to bring Mark.
Tychicus had filled a needed role as a friend and a faithful brother, but Paul felt it more necessary that whatever business was needing to be accomplished in Ephesus was more important than keeping him in Rome. Mark would be able to assist Paul in the lack left in Tychicus’ absence.
Tychicus is mentioned Acts 20:4, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, and Titus 3:12. In Ephesians 6, Paul calls him “a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.” He speaks similarly well of him in Colossians.
Life application: How easy it is to sever friendships in this world. People who portray themselves as faithful friends are often faithful when the wind is blowing from the south, but when it switches 1 degree towards the east, they depart. It is the rare soul, like Luke or like Tychichus, that remains faithful. We’ll all be remembered for how we live out our lives. What will the record of our life state concerning our allegiances to our friends, our family, our employers, and our church?
Lord God, the Bible is filled with notes of the faults and failings of people throughout history. It is also filled with notes of those who were faithful to their God, their friends, and to those around them. Each life is recorded to reveal to us how we can and should conduct our own lives, because we also will be remembered by You and judged for the life we lived. Help us to remember this truth, and act faithfully towards others, and especially towards You. Amen.