Colossians 4:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

NIV: Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

NASB: As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.

CSB: Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

NLT: Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.

KJV: All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

NKJV: Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

As he wraps up his message, Paul transitions to points about various Christian friends. Here Paul mentions Tychicus, who seems to be the one delivering the letter as well as other news. Tychicus carried this message, and several others, from Rome and was accompanied by Onesimus. Among the letters Tychicus carried was one Paul wrote to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21). Tychicus is also mentioned in Acts 20:4, 2 Timothy 4:12, and Titus 3:12.

Paul makes three positive statements about Tychicus. First, Paul calls him "a beloved brother" (also Ephesians 6:21). Tychicus was mostly likely a Gentile believer and had served alongside Paul previously (Acts 20:4) in addition to being with him in Rome to help deliver his letters. Second, he is called a "faithful minister" (also Ephesians 6:21). Tychicus likely served as a church leader. Only Epaphras is given this same title (Colossians 1:7). Third, Paul says Tychicus is a "fellow servant in the Lord," also a title used for Epaphras (Colossians 1:7).

Colossians 4:7–18 ends Paul's letter to the believers at Colossae in his typical fashion. Most of Paul's letters begin with an introduction, transition from ideas into applications, and then end with general news and greetings. Here, Paul specifically mentions the town of Laodicea, which was about 12 miles away from Colossae. He also refers to several fellow Christians, some of whom are mentioned in other letters as well, including Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, and Luke.

The first verse of chapter 4 is actually the last thought from Paul's prior comments about bondservants and masters. After this, Paul gives the Christian perspective on conversation. The way believers speak has a large impact on the effectiveness of our message. Paul then ends his letter with news and messages between various Christian ministers. Among these are names which Paul mentions again in other letters, such as Tychicus, Epaphras, Archippus, and Onesimus.

Prior chapters in this letter established the supremacy of Christ, provided counters to false teaching, and gave instructions for Christian living. Chapter 4 completes these instructions with a general command regarding Christian conversation. Paul then ends the letter with news and comments related to various fellow Christian believers. This follows the general pattern for Paul's letters: introduction, theory, application, personal news and farewell.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.

Accessed 5/4/2024 12:58:50 AM