Thursday, 24 November 2016
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; Ephesians 6:21
This verse begins with the words, “But that you also…” This is an indication that other churches were apprised concerning Paul’s affairs and his condition. This would have been the understood meaning of these words. This is then made completely evident in the words of Colossians 4:7 –
“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.”
Tychicus would have been sent out with Paul’s letter(s) of instruction, and he would have carried along other information about how Paul was and what he was up to. This Tychicus is mentioned several times in the New Testament. He is found in Acts 20:4. There he is described as being a person “of Asia.” He was also accompanying Paul from Corinth to Asia. He is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:12, and in Titus 3:12 as well.
In this letter, he is called “a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.” The word used for “minister” is diakonos. This is the source of our word “deacon,” and it comes from two separate words – dia, meaning “through,” and konis, meaning “dust.” Therefore, it is someone who scurries through the dust, and is thus a servant or a minister. In this verse, he is doing exactly what the name implies. He is travelling with the message through the dusty streets of cities for the benefit of the saints. This term is probably not being applied to him in the technical sense of a “deacon,” but rather it points to the duties which he is carrying out. He is ministering to Paul as a friend, a brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant.
It is this hardy soul who was with Paul in such a close relationship who “will make all things known to you.” Not only would he bring the beautiful epistle in his hands, and not only would he tell about how Paul was doing, but he would also answer any further questions that would come about concerning Paul and his ministry.
Life application: How willing are you to relay the good news concerning the gospel to others? Tychicus was willing to travel by land and sea in order to get the news out to those who were hungry to hear it. Are you at least willing to share it in the circles you travel? Do the people at the restaurant you frequent even know that you are a Christian? Get the news out!
Lord God, we have favorite places that we often go to. Some of us have a special restaurant that we go to every chance we get. We go to the same bank, week after week. There are other places that we frequent, and the people know us well. But do they even know of our faith in Jesus? Have we ever once asked if they wanted to hear about why Jesus came and how important this is to know? Are we so afraid of sharing the only means of salvation to the people we see the most? Help us in this Lord. Give us boldness to speak about the most important issue humanity will ever face. Amen.