Tychicus

Tych'icus (Τύχικος for τυχικός, fateful), a companion of Paul on some of his journeys, and one of his fellow-laborers in the work of the Gospel. A.D. 54-64.

(1.) In Ac 20:4, he appears as one of those who accompanied the apostle through a longer or shorter portion of his return journey from the third missionary circuit. Here he is expressly called (with Trophimus) a native of Asia Minor (Α᾿σιανός); but while Trophimus went with Paul to Jerusalem (Ac 21:29), Tychicus was left behind in Asia, probably at Miletus (20, 15, 38).

(2.) How Tychicus was employed in the interval before Paul's first imprisonment we cannot tell; but in that imprisonment he was with the apostle again, as we see from Col 4:7-8. Here he is spoken of, not only as "a beloved brother," but as "a faithful minister and fellow- servant in the Lord; and he is to make known to the Colossians the present circumstances of the apostle (τὰ κατ᾿ ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει), and to bring comfort to the Colossians themselves (ἵνα παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν). From this we gather that diligent service and warm Christian sympathy were two features of the life and character of Tychicus. Colossue was in Asia; but from the fact that of Onesimus, who is mentioned immediately afterwards, it is said, ὅς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν, whereas Tychicus is not so styled, we naturally infer that the latter was not a native of that city. These two men were doubtless the bearers both of this letter and the following, as well at that to Philemon.

⇒Bible concordance for TYCHICUS.

(3.) The language concerning Tychicus in Eph 6:21-22 is very similar, though not exactly in the same words. It is the more important to notice this passage carefully, because it is the only personal allusion in the epistle, and is of some considerable value as a subsidiary argument for its authenticity. If this was a circular letter, Tychicus, who bore a commission to Colossae, and who was probably well known in various parts of the province of Asia, would be a very proper person to see the letter duly delivered and read.

(4.) The next references are in the Pastoral Epistles, the first in chronological order being Tit 3:12. Here Paul (writing possibly from Ephesus) says that it is probable he may send Tychicus to Crete, about the time when he himself goes to Nicopolis.

(5.) In 2Ti 4:12 (written at Rome during the second imprisonment) he says, "I am herewith sending Tychicus to Ephesus." At least it seems natural, with Dr. Wordsworth, so to render ἀπέστειλα, though Bp. Ellicott's suggestion is also worth considering, that this mission may have been connected with the carrying of the first epistle. (See their notes on the passage.) However this may be, we see this disciple at the end, as we saw him at the beginning, connected locally with Asia, while also co-operating with Paul. We have no authentic information concerning Tychicus in any period previous to or subsequent to these five scriptural notices. The tradition which places him afterwards as bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia is apparently of no value. But there' is much probability in the conjecture (Stanley's Corinthians, 2nd ed. p. 493) that Tychicus was one of the two "brethren" (Trophimus being the other) who were associated with Titus (2Co 8:16-24) in conducting the business of the collection for the poor Christians in Judaea. As arguments for this view we may mention the association with Trophimus, the probability that both were Ephesians, the occurrence of both names in the Second Epistle to Timothy (see 2Ti 4:20), the chronological and geographical agreement with the circumstances of the third missionary journey, and the general language used concerning Tychicus in Colossians and Ephesians. SEE ASIA; SEE EPHESUS; SEE TROPHIMUS.