Tychicus

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

 Acts 20:4. Paul's companion and fellow labourer in the gospel ( Acts 20:4); accompanied him in part on his return journey from the third missionary circuit; "of Asia." Trophimus went forward with Paul to Jerusalem ( Acts 21:29), but Tychicus stayed behind in Asia, perhaps at Miletus ( Acts 20:15;  Acts 20:38). With Paul again in his first Roman imprisonment:  Colossians 4:7-8, "a (Greek the, the article marks that Tychicus was well known to them) beloved (in relation to the Christian community) brother and a faithful minister (in missionary services) and fellow servant in the Lord (in serving the same Master)."

Paul marks his high sense of the faithful and sympathetic character of Tychicus by his commission: "whom I have sent ... that he might know your estate (rather as the Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus manuscripts 'that YE may know OUR state,' compare  Colossians 4:7;  Ephesians 6:22) and comfort your hearts," distressed by my imprisonment as well as by your own trials. Tychicus, being an Asiatic himself, fitly carried both the epistles to the Asiatic Ephesians and Colossians, and Philemon; but was not a Colossian as Onesimus, for of the latter alone Paul says "who is one of you" ( Colossians 4:9). If the epistle to the Ephesians be a circular letter Tychicus (the only person alluded to throughout the epistle) would be a fit person to see it read.

In  Titus 3:12 Paul proposes to send Artonus or Tychicus (from Corinth or else Ephesus, where Tychicus was with Paul) to take Titus' place (Which His Past Services To Paul In The Neighbouring Asia Qualified Him For) at Crete, and so to set Titus free to join Paul at Nicopolis. In  2 Timothy 4:12, in his second Roman imprisonment, Paul says "Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus," implying "I need one profitable for the ministry; I had one in Tychicus, but he is gone" (Ellicott). Others make Paul send Tychicus ("I Am Herewith Sending Tychicus To Ephesus") to take Timothy's place there as president of the church. Tradition made Tychicus subsequently bishop of Chalcedon. Some make Tychicus the first "brother" in  2 Corinthians 8:16-24, and Trophimus the other. Luke seems more probably the former, as "his praise in the Gospel" as Paul's companion was "throughout all the churches." If Tychicus be meant, remarkable integrity will be among his prominent graces.

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(Τυχικός, ‘fortunate’)

Tychicus was an Ephesian Christian who journeyed with St. Paul from Macedonia to Asia and preceded him to Troas ( Acts 20:4). Thence he accompanied him to Jerusalem on the Apostle’s last visit there, acting along with Trophimus as a delegate of the church of Ephesus and conveying the offerings of the church to the poor brethren at Jerusalem. He was a companion of the Apostle during his first captivity, and was sent to Ephesus from Rome probably with the Epistle to the Ephesians. He is described by St. Paul as a ‘beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,’ and he is entrusted with the duty of telling the Ephesians of the writer’s welfare and of comforting their hearts ( Ephesians 6:21). In the same way in the Epistle to the Colossians ( Colossians 4:7) he is described as ‘a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant,’ and the same duty is committed to him of telling the Colossians of the Apostle’s condition and comforting their hearts. In  2 Timothy 4:12 the writer tells Timothy that he has sent Tychicus to Ephesus, from which we may conclude that he was with the Apostle in his second captivity in Rome. The same conclusion is borne out by the reference in  Titus 3:12, where the writer purposes to send either Artemas or Tychicus to Titus in Crete with the injunction that Titus should meet the Apostle at Nicopolis. It is possible that the reference in  2 Corinthians 8:18 to ‘the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches,’ and who was deputed along with Titus and another unnamed Christian to carry the Second Epistle to the Corinthians from Ephesus to Corinth, may be Tychicus, and the other unnamed deputy may be Trophimus. This, however, is little more than conjecture, although from  Acts 20:4 we may gather that these two Ephesians were known to the church in Corinth, and that the two deputies referred to in  2 Corinthians 8:18 were also well known to those addressed.

A late tradition makes Tychicus bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia. The Greek Menologion (9 Dec.) reports that he was bishop of Colophon after Sosthenes, and suffered martyrdom for the faith.

W. F. Boyd.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Among the church representatives who went with Paul to present a gift to the Jerusalem church were two men from the province of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus ( Acts 20:4;  Acts 21:29). When Paul was later imprisoned for two years in Rome, Tychicus spent some time with him. Paul then sent him as his special representative to the churches of Ephesus and Colossae, to tell the Christians how he was faring in Rome. Tychicus probably also carried Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians ( Ephesians 6:21-22;  Colossians 4:7-8).

Tychicus continued to work with Paul after Paul’s release from imprisonment. Paul considered sending him to relieve Titus in Crete ( Titus 3:12), and later he sent him to relieve Timothy in Ephesus ( 2 Timothy 4:12).

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

a disciple of St. Paul, whom the Apostle often employed to carry his letters to the several churches. He was of the province of Asia, and accompanied St. Paul, when, in A.D. 58, he made his journey from Corinth to Jerusalem,  Acts 20:4 . It was he that carried the epistle to the Colossians, that to the Ephesians, and the first to Timothy. St. Paul did not send him merely to carry his letters, but also to learn the state of the churches, and to bring him an account of them. Wherefore he calls him his dear brother, a faithful minister of the Lord, and his companion in the service of God,  Ephesians 6:21-22;  Colossians 4:7-8 . He had thoughts also of sending him into Crete, to preside over that church in the absence of  Titus 3:12 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

TYCHICUS . A native of the province Asia, like Trophimus, and a companion of St. Paul on the journey to Jerusalem (  Acts 20:4 ). He was the bearer of the circular letter to Asia which we call ‘Ephesians’ (  Ephesians 6:21 f.), and of Colossians (  Colossians 4:7 f.). In later years either he or Artemas was to have been sent to Crete, apparently to take Titus’ place (  Titus 3:12 ); but he was sent to Ephesus, probably instead of to Crete (  2 Timothy 4:12 ).

A. J. Maclean.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A disciple employed by the apostle Paul to carry his letters to several churches. He was of the province of Asia, and accompanied Paul in his journey from Corinth to Jerusalem,  Acts 20:4 . He carried the epistle to the Colossians, that to the Ephesians, and the first to Timothy. The apostle calls him the Lord, and his companion in the service of God,  Ephesians 6:21,22   Colossians 4:7,8   2 Timothy 4:12 , and had intentions of sending him into Crete, in the absence of Titus,  Titus 3:12 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Tych'icus, (Fateful), and Troph'imus, (Nutritious). Companions of St. Paul, on some of his journeys, are mentioned as natives of Asia.  Acts 20:4;  Acts 21:29;  2 Timothy 4:20. (A.D. 54-64). There is much probability in the conjecture that Tychicus and Trophimus were the two brethren, who were associated with Titus,  2 Corinthians 8:16-24, in conducting the business of the collection, for the poor Christians in Judea.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A Christian of Asia who accompanied Paul on his last visit to Jerusalem. He was sent by the apostle from Rome to the Ephesians and to the Colossians; and after Paul's release, Tychicus was again sent to Ephesus. Paul describes him as a beloved brother, a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord. He was thus such a one as Paul could with confidence send on these missions to 'encourage' the saints.  Acts 20:4;  Ephesians 6:21;  Colossians 4:7;  2 Timothy 4:12;  Titus 3:12 .

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Tychicus ( Tyk'I-Kŭs ). A companion of Paul,  Acts 20:4, and evidently a devoted and faithful disciple.  Ephesians 6:21-22;  Colossians 4:7-8.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Ephesians 6:21,22 Acts 20:4 Colossians 4:7 Titus 3:12 2 Timothy 4:12

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Acts 20:4 Colossians 4:7-9 2 Timothy 4:12 Titus 3:12

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

A friend and companion of Paul. ( Ephesians 6:21)

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

tik´i - kus ( Τύχικος , Túchikos , lit. "chance"): Mentioned 5 times in the New Testament (  Acts 20:4;  Ephesians 6:21;  Colossians 4:7;  2 Timothy 4:12;  Titus 3:12 ); an Asiatic Christian, a friend and companion of the apostle Paul.

(1) In the first of these passages his name occurs as one of a company of the friends of Paul. The apostle, at the close of his 3missionary journey, was returning from Greece through Macedonia into Asia, with a view to go to Jerusalem. This journey proved to be the last which he made, before his apprehension and imprisonment. It was felt, both by himself and by his friends, that this journey was a specially important one. He was on his way to Jerusalem, "bound in the spirit" ( Acts 20:22 ). But another cause which gave it particular importance was that he and his friends were carrying the money which had been collected for several years previous in the churches of the Gentiles, for the help of the poor members of the church in Jerusalem ( Acts 24:17 ). No fewer than eight of his intimate friends companied him into Asia, and one of these was Tychicus Luke uses the word "Asian" (English Versions of the Bible "of Asia,"  Acts 20:4 ) to describe Tychicus. He was with Paul at Troas, and evidently journeyed with him, as one of "Paul's company" ( Acts 21:8 the King James Version), all the way to Jerusalem.

(2) The 2nd and 3passages in which the name of Tychicus occurs (see above) give the information that he was with Paul in Rome during his first imprisonment. In Colossians Paul writes, "All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts" ( Colossians 4:7 ,  Colossians 4:8 ). In almost identical words he writes in Ephesians, "But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts" ( Ephesians 6:21 ,  Ephesians 6:22 ).

Paul had entrusted Tychicus with a very important mission. He was to deliver the Epistle to the Ephesians, that is, "the circular letter" (see Laodiceans , Epistle To The ) to the churches in proconsular Asia, to which it was sent, giving a copy of it to the church in Laodicea. He was then to proceed to Colosse, with the Epistle to the church there. In Colosse Tychicus would plead the cause of Onesimus, who accompanied him from Rome. "Under his shelter Onesimus would be safer than if he encountered Philemon alone" (Lightfoot, Commentary on Colossians , 314). In Laodicea and Colosse Tychicus would not only deliver the Epistles from Paul, but he would also, as the apostle had written to the churches in those places, Communicate to them all information about his "state," that is, how things were going with him in regard to his appeal to the emperor, and his hope of being soon set at liberty. Tychicus would make known to them all things.

(3) The passages in the Epistles to Titus and to Timothy show that Tychicus was again with Paul, after the appeal to the emperor had resulted in the apostle regaining his freedom. The passage in Titus evidently refers to the interval between Paul's first and second Roman imprisonments, and while he was again engaged in missionary journeys. The apostle writes to Titus, who was in Crete in charge of the churches there, that he intended to send either Artemas or Tychicus to him, so as to take the oversight of the work of the gospel in that island, that Titus might be free to come to be with the apostle at Nicopolis.

(4) The last passage where Tychicus is mentioned occurs in 2 Timothy, which was written in Rome not long before Paul's execution. To the very end Paul was busy as ever in the work of the gospel; and though it would have been a comfort to him to have his friends beside him, yet the interests of the kingdom of Christ are uppermost in his thoughts, and he sends these friends to help the progress of the work. To the last, Tychicus was serviceable as ever: "Tychicus I sent to Ephesus" ( 2 Timothy 4:12 ). As Timothy was in charge of the church in Ephesus ( 1 Timothy 1:3 ), the coming of Tychicus would set him free, so as to enable him to set off at once to rejoin Paul at Rome, as the apostle desired him ( 2 Timothy 4:9 ,  2 Timothy 4:21 ).

It should also be noted that at Ephesus Tychicus would be able to visit his old friend Trophimus, who was, at that very time, only a few miles away, at Miletus, sick ( 2 Timothy 4:20 ).

It is possible that Tychicus is the brother referred to in  2 Corinthians 8:22 ,  2 Corinthians 8:23 as one "whom we have many times proved earnest in many things...(one of) the messengers of the churches ... the glory of Christ."

(5) The character and career of Tychicus are such as show him altogether affectionate, faithful and worthy of the confidence reposed in him by Paul, who, as already seen, sent him again and again on important work, which could be performed only by a man of ability and of high Christian worth and experience. Thus, all that is known regarding Tychicus fully bears out the description of his character given by the apostle himself, that he was a beloved brother, a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( 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  Acts 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 ( Ἀσιανός ); but while Trophimus went with Paul to Jerusalem ( Acts 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  Colossians 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.

(3.) The language concerning Tychicus in  Ephesians 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  Titus 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  2 Timothy 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 ( 2 Corinthians 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  2 Timothy 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).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Tych´icus is the name of an assistant and companion of the Apostle Paul. He accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey , and was, at a later period, the bearer of Paul's letter from Rome to the Colossians. Paul styled him a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord, who should declare all his state unto the Colossians, to whom he was sent that he might know their estate and comfort their hearts . For a similar purpose Tychicus was sent to the Ephesians also , and employed in various missionary journeys . According to tradition, Tychicus was made bishop of Chalcedon.