Tychicus and Onesimus – Two Great Brothers in Christ (Part 1)
God said regarding Adam in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that man should be alone.” Not only was the Lord concerned for Adam, but he was planning for the future as well. God told Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). He wanted a world with relationships. Jesus understood this principle when He sent His disciples out in twos (Mark 6:7). Having fellow laborers creates comradery and provides a source of encouragement and help. The apostle Paul had many fellow workers who aided his ministry. We see two of them in Colossians 4:7-9, Tychicus and Onesimus.
The name “Tychicus” means “fortunate, fortuitous, or lucky” and Paul was fortunate to have him as a fellow worker. The Bible first names him in Acts 20:4 as one of the brethren who accompanied him on his way to Jerusalem to deliver the contribution made by gentile Christians (Acts 20:16, Romans 15:25-26). These men likely served as a vanguard against highway robbers. Tychicus also served Paul by delivering news of his work to the churches. We know specifically that he delivered information to the churches at Ephesus, Colossae, and on the island of Crete (Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12). To the church at Colossae, Paul said that Tychicus would “know your circumstances.” This means that he also communicated information back to Paul as he traveled back and forth from these churches. The work that he did for Paul supported his efforts to care for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28).
The name “Onesimus” means “useful, profitable, or beneficial.” This was the same Onesimus about whom Paul writes to Philemon. According to that letter, Onesimus was a run-away slave who became a Christian (Philemon 1:10). Paul wrote to his master to encourage him to receive him back without any punishment. Paul wrote, “[Onesimus] once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (Philemon 1:11). Colossae, evidently, was Onesimus’ hometown since Paul said that he was “of you.”
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley