Reagan McClenny has been preaching full-time for the past ten years, including the last six with the Timberland Drive church of Christ in Lufkin, Texas. He has a wife, Stephanie, and two daughters, Madison and Brooklyn. Reagan can be reached via email at reagan252@yahoo.com.

Synopsis: Tychicus is described by Paul as a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant of the Lord. He proved to be such as the principal courier of Paul's letters, but even more by the way in which he was able to communicate effectively with brethren. Whether it was expressing Paul's personal greetings and current affairs, mediating the reunion between Philemon and Onesimus, or giving comfort to concerned brethren, Tychicus was truly a trusted tongue.

Mentioned only 5 times in the New Testament (Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12), Tychicus is none-the-less an important figure in the ministry of the apostle Paul as a frequent traveling companion and courier of Paul's epistles. Luke introduces Tychicus to the Biblical text in Acts 20:4-5 as a member of Paul's party who goes ahead to Troas as Paul is headed back to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey.

Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas… (Acts 20:4-5, ESV).

It seems Luke sometimes used "Asia" as a synonym for Ephesus (Acts 19:22) because it was the principal city of the region, and Tychicus's fellow "Asian," Trophimus, is specifically called "the Ephesian" (Acts 21:29). Thus, it is not unreasonable to determine that Tychicus was also a native of Ephesus, and certainly of Asia Minor. Beyond this, the New Testament reveals nothing of his age, conversion, personal life, or death. What is revealed, however, paints the picture of a Christian totally trusted by the apostle Paul as "a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord" (Col. 4:7).

A Faithful Minister-Sent in Paul's Stead

Paul was not one who gave out his trust easily, nor tolerated anything less than total commitment from those with whom he worked. His attitude toward John Mark's desertion of the first journey certainly reveals this character trait (Acts 15:36-41). Paul "insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work" (v. 38). Tychicus gained Paul's trust and was "sent" by him on several occasions when Paul could not go himself.

When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there (Titus 3:12).

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica-Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:9-12).

Demas forsook Paul when he needed him the most, but such was not the case with the faithful Tychicus. While Paul's description of his current distress does not necessarily disparage the terms under which Crescens and Titus "departed" from him, he takes great care to specifically say he "sent" Tychicus to Ephesus. Paul trusted Tychicus, and he trusted him as far more than a letter courier!

A Fellow Servant-Sent to Mediate

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here (Col. 4:7-9).

Paul's reference to Onesimus being sent with Tychicus to Colossae is significant. It appears that Tychicus was not only bringing the letter to the Colossians, but also the letter to Philemon. The mention of Archippus, who seems to be the local preacher there and is named in both epistles (Col. 4:17; Phile. 2), and the other men present with Paul in both letters (Col. 4:10-17; Phile. 23-24) makes this connection a near certainty.

Could I be trusted to be the personal mediator of such a delicate and important reunion of a Christian runaway slave and his Christian slave-owner? Tact and graciousness of speech would be at a premium, as evidenced by the approach Paul uses in his letter (Phile. 8-10).

A Beloved Brother-Sent to Comfort

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; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts (Eph. 6:21-22).

Tychicus was probably present when the Ephesian elders "wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him…" (Acts 20:37). He personally knew how these brethren cared for Paul, and he was able to give them comfort. In fact, Paul says this was the "very purpose" for which he chose to send the letter with Tychicus. To be able to "comfort the hearts" of people is no easy task. Those who have found themselves fumbling to express their sympathy to a grieving or concerned loved one know this to be true. Finding the right words, said in the right way, with the right attitude, requires a discernment and gentleness few have mastered and many have botched (Job 16:1-2).

A Trusted Tongue

What allowed Tychicus to be trustworthy in all of these scenarios? I suggest Tychicus's control of his tongue was one of the primary attributes that allowed him to be such a useful servant of the Lord and help to Paul. It is not surprising that the verse preceding the longest description of Tychicus is Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (ESV). Tychicus seemed to have developed such an ability.

The evil, destructive power of the tongue is well established in the Bible (James 3:1-12), but this power can also be harnessed, or "bridled," for good. Especially in the church, this transformation to the image of Christ cannot be left half-finished. Gossip, the speech of busybodies, should be replaced with genuine concern and tight-lipped love. Bitterness and outbursts of wrath should be replaced with kindness and edification. Profane speech should be replaced with speech that glorifies God and brings others closer to Christ. Foolish talking and coarse jesting should be replaced with prudent and wise advice or silence. Half-truths to build up self or put down others should be replaced with speaking the truth in love, in all things imitating Christ, who always knew the right thing to say or not to say. Especially to preachers, my "fellow servants, faithful ministers, and beloved brothers," we need to use our tongues as "instruments for righteousness" (Rom. 6:13), remembering the power of the Word can be harmed by our foolish words.

Like Tychicus, may we all be trustworthy with our tongues wherever we are sent and whatever the need. In so doing, this will help us to become "perfect … able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).