Colossians 4:7-9 Tychicus, (TIC A CUS) a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, (O NES A MUS) a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. NKJV
These last verses of Colossians are scriptures that deal with many of the relationships that Paul developed throughout his ministry life.
Paul begins by mentioning one of his ministry team members. Tych’i-cus is mention a number of times by Paul. We first hear of Tych’i-cus in Acts 20:4 as Paul speaks of him along with Timothy and Troph’i-mus, who had come from Asia. Tych’i-cus is also named in Paul’s closing remarks in his Epistle to the Ephesian saints. Tych’-cus was out ministering as a deputy of Paul’s bring Paul’s greeting to the churches in various cities.
As in Ephesians, Tych’i-cus is presented as a “beloved” brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. These are three characteristics all believers should possess. If you have had a long time relationship with a person, they might be considered “A beloved person to you.” As a Noun you might say a much-loved person. I would say that “a beloved” person would be an individual that has earned the title “beloved.” Generally, it is a person who we have loved for a long time or very deeply, so boyfriend or girlfriend do not usually earn the title “beloved, ” although some might refer to them as their beloved but this would not be correct.
Paul said that Tych’i-cus was a faithful minister. “Minister,” in today’s vernacular, is usually assigned to a “paid professional.” But the scripture would expect every saint of God to be a faithful minister. This might be a father or mother ministering to their children. This might be the employee ministering in the way that one performs their duties. It could be the believing Employer in how they care for their employees. It might be the teacher ministering to their students. It could be a peace officer enforcing the law.
Paul saw Tych’i-cus as a “fellow servant in the Lord.” Paul first saw himself as a servant. He never took the position of an “authoritarian” in his apostolic calling. It is true, Paul carried authority but never wheeled it in an authoritarian way. Tycu’i-cus was a fellow servant with Paul. Both were part of an “apostolic company.” Paul might have had around 60 of these kinds of people as part of his apostolic team.
I have been blessed to have had many of these kinds of team relationships. It has never taken away from my calling or my responsibility in leading others. A proper biblical team mindset is that of seeing one another as “fellow servants.” I am speaking of team members built together by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a task given by the Master for His ultimate purpose. This is “kingdom thinking.” Can you see how different that is from “secular” thinking and practice?
Tych’i-cus was a man that Paul could trust. He was trusted by all of the team members. Paul knew that Tych’i-cus would relay to the saints at Colossi all the news they needed to have about Paul. He knew that Tych’i-cus would not get sidetracked by just communicating about his story. He would faithfully report about Paul.
Paul makes it clear why Tych’i-cus is being sent. It was so Paul would be able to know the affairs of these saints and could bring a report back to Paul. He also would report about Paul and his affairs so that these saints might be comforted concerning Paul’s welfare.
In today’s world of instant communications, email, Tweets, and Facebook, this lesson might seem trite or unnecessary. It is unfortunate that in today’s world, we have lost this vital, interpersonal relationship. This relationship includes the anticipation of knowing of another’s welfare and of the personal gratification that would come through a letter that was eagerly anticipated. Especially when coming from a great distance or from circumstances where the person was in great danger, and we awaited hearing of their welfare.
The second person that Paul writes about is O-nes’imus. Apparently, he was traveling with Tycu’i-cus to Colossi. He also is seen as a “faithful and beloved brother.” O-nes’i-mus had come from Colossi. The Apostle Onesimus is believed to probably have been a slave to Philemon, who was a man of Christian faith.
Paul writes to Philemon, another faithful man. Paul calls him his beloved friend and fellow laborer. He addresses Philemon as a man who has love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints. Philemon was a man that brought a freshening to the hearts of the saints. Based on this, Paul becomes bold in Christ to command Philemon to what is fitting. But for love’s sake, he “appeals” to him for Paul’s “spiritual” son O-nes’-mus, whom he had begotten as Paul says, “while in my chains” (Vs. 10), in other words, while Paul was in prison.
Paul continues to say to Philemon about O-nes’-mus, “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (Verse 11). Paul goes on to say, and I am sending him back. You, therefore, receive him that is my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf, he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. But without your consent, I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. I am taking the time to talk about O-nes’-mus because his relationship with Paul and his former relationship with Philemon really illustrates the depth of true Christianity. Let’s read on in Philemon 15, For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but now much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand, I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, for I am trusting through your prayers, I shall be granted to come to you.
This is a fantastic story of love and grace, of friendship and mutual honor. This is real Christianity at its finest. This is the new creation of life being lived out in very trying times with great liberty and trust. This is Christ’s life and nature exemplified in the words of this letter to Philemon on behalf of O-nes’-mus and also Paul’s own heart desire.
Now back to Colossians 4:9 and Paul’s words about O-nes’-mus to the Colossi saints. Paul speaks to O-nes’-mus faithfulness and how he is beloved. He also reminds them that O-ness’-mus is “one of them.” Paul lets these saints in Colossi know that both Tych’i-cus and O-nes’-mus will tell them all they need to know about Paul and his prison experience, along with what the Lord is doing through Paul.