Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Timothy 4:12

"But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus." — 2 Timothy 4:12 (ASV)

And Tychicus. See Acts 20:4. In Ephesians 6:21, Paul calls him "a beloved brother, and faithful minister in the Lord". But it may be asked: why did he not retain him, or why should he have sent him away and then call Timothy to him? The probability is that he had sent him away before he had reason to apprehend that he himself would be put to death. Now, feeling the need for a friend to be with him, he sent to Timothy rather than to him, because Tychicus had been employed to perform some service which he could not easily leave, and because Paul wished to give some special instructions to Timothy before he died.

Have I sent to Ephesus. It is not certainly known why. Compare Introduction, paragraph 2.