But that you also may know the things that concern me and what I am doing, Tychicus, my dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things:
ινα δε ειδητε και υμεις τα κατ εμε τι πρασσω παντα υμιν γνωρισει τυχικος ο αγαπητος αδελφος και πιστος διακονος εν κυριω
11 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The Apostle himself only mentioned that he was in chains. He entrusted Tychicus with recounting the details of his condition. In his epistle he explained everything that pertains to doctrines and consolation. What concerned actual news he left to the one who would deliver the epistle. Therefore he added, “that you also may know,” that is, that you may be informed “about me.” By this he showed his love for them, and gave occasion for their love for him to be revealed.
What concerned doctrine and consolation he explained himself through the epistle. But when he mentioned his chains, he did not dwell on speaking about them. He left something also for Tychicus to tell about him, so that the presence of this brother would not be useless. Since he is beloved, he knows everything. Since he is faithful, he will not lie. “A minister in the Lord,” that is, one who serves for God and in the divine work, not for anything worldly or in relation to anything earthly. Or, “brother in the Lord” means a spiritual brother.
This place should be understood in a twofold sense. Either Tychicus was sent so that he might announce to them that the Apostle's bonds had become known throughout the whole praetorium, and that his bonds had served the faith of the Gospel. Or perhaps Tychicus was sent to tell them about the Apostle's life and circumstances, which they did not know. He would transmit, as it were, a living pattern to those who were learning the Apostle's deeds and virtues and desired to imitate him. "But that you also may know what is happening around me and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know what is happening around us, and that he may comfort your hearts." Understand this place in a twofold sense. Tychicus was sent either so that he might announce to them that the Apostle's bonds had become known to the whole Roman tribunal. His bonds had also served faith in the Gospel at that time. He wrote similarly to the Colossians: "What is happening around me, Tychicus, the beloved brother and minister and fellow worker in the Lord, will tell you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know what is happening around us, and he will comfort your hearts, together with Onesimus, the most beloved and faithful brother, who is from among you. He will tell you everything that is happening here" (Col 4:7-9). Indeed, it was a great consolation to hear that in Rome, mistress of cities and stronghold of Roman power, the Apostle Paul was winning a brilliant victory from prison and bonds. Or perhaps Tychicus was sent to tell them about the Apostle's life and circumstances, which they did not know. He would transmit, as it were, a living pattern to those who were learning the Apostle's actions and virtues and desired to imitate him. It could be no small consolation to those who desired to imitate him when they learned what the Apostle was doing.
Through Tychicus the Ephesians will learn how matters stand with the Apostle. He also will receive news about the affairs of the Ephesians. There could be no doubt about the Apostle’s deeds, for his works are God’s. Yet they wanted to know how he was acting among unbelievers, and about their wiles. Paul wanted to learn from the Ephesians whether they were advancing in the faith or not. So that they might gladly attend to Tychicus and listen to him, Paul calls him a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.
Tychicus was from Asia. Blessed Luke also informs us of this in Acts. After naming those who accompanied Paul from Thessalonica and Beroea, he added, “And the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus” (Acts 20:4).
This means: a minister not to me, but in the Lord, a minister of the gospel and the mystery. Paul says: I have sent Tychicus to you not for his own sake, but for yours. For I care for you and want you to know everything.
“Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister,” διάκονος. Whether this word indicates his diaconal rank or ordinary service with the Apostle is unknown. He was from Asia (Acts 20:4), and later, according to tradition, was appointed bishop of Chalcedon in Bithynia. He is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. Through Tychicus the epistle was sent to Ephesus and, as some think, copied by him as well.
At the conclusion of his epistle, the Apostle first asks for prayers for himself, “that a word may be given to him, that he may openly and boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” Second. He speaks of the embassy of Tychicus to the Ephesians, so that he may tell them “about his circumstances and deeds,” and thereby comfort their hearts. Finally, he sends peace, love, and grace to the brethren, with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ unwaveringly.
After speaking of prayer as one of the means for struggling against the enemies of salvation, the Apostle asks them to pray also for him. To this he adds what he finds possible to communicate about himself, while entrusting Tychicus to tell everything in detail. The epistle itself was sent with Tychicus. The Apostle certainly prayed himself, but he knew how great the power of the prayer of the whole Church is. Therefore he asked for it for the common good, that he might be freed from bonds. So also the holy Apostle Peter was freed from prison by common prayer (Acts 12). According to His Grace Theophan: "St. Paul could not fail to suppose that news of his imprisonment had reached the Ephesians. From this circumstance they themselves could imagine many things.
Even more could be said to them by ill-wishers of the Apostle and of the Gospel itself. So that no disturbance might arise from this, and so that the sorrow his children must have felt might be dispelled, he sends Tychicus to them. Tychicus was to tell them about the Apostle's affairs and circumstances, and thereby comfort them. He would assure them that there was no danger to their father, who loved them so tenderly and was loved by them. One thing weighed upon him: that he could not preach freely. For this let them pray."
Then, by recommending his authorized representative Tychicus, and by a blessing especially for those who cherish an incorruptible (έν αφθαρσία) love for Christ, the Apostle concludes his epistle (vv. 21-24).
"The Apostle himself only mentioned that he was in bonds. He entrusts Tychicus with telling in detail about his condition. In his epistle he explained everything that concerns doctrines and the ordering of morals. As for news about himself, he left this to the one who would deliver the epistle. Therefore he added, 'that you may know,' that is, that you may be informed about the things concerning me. By this he both showed his love for them and gave occasion for their love toward him to be revealed" (St. Chrysostom). From the words "you also," it is not sound to make any inference, as though if he says "you also," one must suppose someone else as well. The words "the things concerning me" and "what I am doing" explain one another.
They mean: everything you will wish to know about me, Tychicus will tell you all of it. To assign one special subject to "the things concerning me" and another to "what I am doing" is unnecessary concern. It can give nothing positively certain except an increase of words. The Apostle does not describe in detail who Tychicus is, either here or in other epistles. In Acts it is said that he was an Asian by birth (Acts 20:4), from the region where Ephesus was and where the Apostle labored so long in the Gospel. It is easy to infer that he was a believer sincerely attached to the Apostle. He was chosen by him to assist the Gospel in whatever way he could. It is evident that he carried epistles. But since much was entrusted to him to supplement them, one must suppose that he had the mind and character fitting him to fulfill faithfully such an important commission. The Apostle indicates these qualities in him when he calls him a beloved brother. That is, he is a Christian worthy of every love by mind and character, and loved by me. This is a high recommendation. But the following one is still higher: "a faithful minister in the Lord." Minister does not mean servant, but diakonos, the one who carries out entrusted commissions or one entrusted task, like the seven deacons in the Church of Jerusalem. By this St. Paul wished to indicate: my helper and fellow laborer in the work of the Gospel. "Faithful." As I rely on him in everything, so you who already know him may do also. He is faithful, and therefore he will tell you the whole truth, as everything is. And if you have need to communicate anything through him, you may rely on him completely. "In the Lord." He is faithful, and he takes upon himself the labors of service to the Gospel not from human motives, but in the Lord. He acts in the fear of God, before the face of the Lord, for His glory and for the glory of His holy Gospel, without any calculations.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 22 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS