2 Timothy 4:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

With some official commission, or simply to console the faithful there.

"I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus." This was not the mission on which the Epistles to the Colossians and Ephesians were sent, because after that the Apostle made a journey to the East. It is thought that before writing the second Epistle, the Apostle sent Tychicus to Timothy.

The Apostle Paul, informing Timothy of his own approaching death, asks him to come to him quickly. He says how all except Luke have abandoned him. He gives Timothy certain instructions for the journey, tells of the help from God that was shown to him after his first interrogation in court, and commands him to greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. He also sends greetings from certain Roman brethren.

The Apostle’s instructions are authoritative. Concerning Tychicus, he says that he has sent him with this epistle to Ephesus, as if in Timothy’s place. He commands Timothy to bring Mark with him, relying on his filial obedience. Saint John Chrysostom observes, “The Apostle asks for Mark not for his own comfort, but for the ministry of the Gospel. He does this so that no disturbance should arise among the faithful because of his death. His many disciples, being present, would quiet the disturbance and comfort those grieving over his end. For among those who had believed in Rome there were probably honorable men.” The reference to the felonion, an insignificant outer garment used as protection from dampness and cold, testifies to the need in which Paul found himself.

In the following reports about himself and his work, the Apostle appears to us as one who has in no way lost courage, even in view of his approaching death. For example, he remembers the cloak left in Troas and some books that he needed. Speaking of his first appearance at trial or interrogation, he notes that no acquaintances or friends were seen around him. According to Roman custom, such people supported the accused with their voices. But the Lord helped him instead. He had promised to give His apostles the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they might stand firm at trial (Mt 10:19-20). Thus the preaching of the Gospel was fulfilled. Proclaimed in the world city, before representatives of world authority, it reached, so to speak, its culminating point.

The difficulty in understanding this passage is removed if we allow that “I have sent” stands for “I am sending.” “I have sent” is spoken in the sense of, “I have firmly resolved to send,” as though saying, “Consider him sent.” This is mentioned to complete the explanation that he is alone in Rome with Saint Luke. Tychicus was sent with the present epistle and was to remain in Ephesus in Saint Timothy’s place. He was to keep watch and immediately report whenever anything decisive occurred. This instruction was conveyed orally. It was not mentioned in the epistle, so as not to offend the Ephesians by suggesting that they alone could not be left, as though unstable and unreliable. That the Apostle did not write, “to you,” should not be considered an obstacle to our supposition. By saying “to Ephesus,” he plainly also said, “to you.” Nor should one think that Saint Timothy was not then in Ephesus.