Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 4:7

"All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:" — Colossians 4:7 (ASV)

These commendations, given to ensure their welcome by the Colossian church, concern two men: Tychicus (vv.7–8) and Onesimus (v.9). The former, described by Paul as “a dear brother” and “a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord,” was probably the bearer of both this letter and the one we know as Ephesians (cf. Ephesians 6:21–22). He was a native of the province of Asia and was earlier selected to be one of the two delegates of the churches who were to accompany Paul on his last visit to Jerusalem, probably as a custodian of the offering that was given by the churches for the needy in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4; Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25–26; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 8–9).

“Dear brother” shows that Tychicus was a much-loved fellow Christian.

“Faithful minister [GK 1356]” may identify him as a loyal servant of Christ, but more likely the expression marks his relation to Paul (i.e., “trusted assistant”).

Earlier Paul had used the same noun of Epaphras (1:7) and of himself (1:23).

“Fellow servant” (GK 5281) speaks of Tychicus both as a slave of Christ and as a comrade with Paul (cf. 1:7, where Paul used this word to designate Epaphras).