TYCHICUS A Faithful Helper
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO MINISTER within the local church. Paul compares the body of Christ (the church) to the human body in 1 Corinthians 12. All the parts are essential, but some are more visible than others. “In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary” (1 Cor 12:22). Tychicus was one of the members of the church body that was less visible but so important. Paul tells Titus that he is sending “either Artemas or Tychicus to you” (Titus 3:12). Apparently one would be sent to continue the work on Crete while Titus returned to Paul’s side. Paul clearly trusted this obscure helper, but who was he?
Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament. In Acts 20:4, he accompanied Paul on Paul’s third missionary journey. Elsewhere, Paul calls him “a beloved brother and faithful helper” (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7). When Paul was in a Roman prison, it was likely Tychicus whom he asked to carry these two letters some 1,200 miles to Ephesus and Colosse. Near the end of his life, Paul wrote 2 Timothy—his final letter. He knew the work needed to be carried on, so rather than keeping all his trusted friends close by, he sent them out. Tychicus, one of those trusted friends, went to Ephesus (2 Tim 4:12).
Never say, “I’m just a volunteer”
Jesus called all kinds of faithful helpers to serve during his earthly ministry, and he continues that call in his church today. People with chronic pain and disabilities often serve with great loyalty. We often have no idea what eternal results will come of our faithful service. For example, we might have missed out on the epistles of Ephesians and Colossians if not for Tychicus’s faithful obedience.
Someday we will stand before Jesus as the great Judge. He will review our lives and our work and declare judgment. For followers of Jesus this judgment will be about how we have lived our lives, our attitudes, and our deeds—not as an entrance requirement for heaven but as a determination of heavenly rewards. How amazing it will be for Jesus to look at us and declare: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21, 23)!