John Calvin 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)

My things. So that the Colossians may know what concern he has for them, he reassures them by giving them, in a way, a pledge. For although he was in prison and in danger of his life, making care for himself a secondary matter, he attends to their interests by sending Tychicus to them.

In this, the singular zeal, no less than the prudence of the holy Apostle, shines forth. For it is no small matter that while he is held prisoner and is in the most imminent danger on account of the gospel, he nevertheless does not cease to apply himself to advancing the gospel and cares for all the Churches.

Thus, his body indeed is under confinement, but his mind, eager to engage in everything good, roams far and wide.

His prudence shows itself in sending a suitable and prudent person to confirm them as much as was necessary and to resist the craftiness of the false apostles. Furthermore, it is seen in his keeping Epaphras with him until they could learn what agreement there was in doctrine among all true teachers, and how great it was, and could hear from Tychicus the same thing that they had previously learned from Epaphras.

Let us carefully meditate on these examples, so that they may stir us up to imitate such a pursuit.

He adds Onesimus, so that the delegation might have greater weight. It is, however, uncertain who this Onesimus was. For it can scarcely be believed that this is the slave of Philemon, since the name of a thief and a fugitive would have been open to reproach. He distinguishes both of them by honorable titles, so that they might do more good—especially Tychicus, who was to fulfill the role of an instructor.