Colossians 4.8-Paul Explicitly Communicates His Purpose For Sending Tychicus to the Colossians
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Sunday April 2, 2017
Colossians: Colossians 4:8-Paul Explicitly Communicates His Purpose For Sending Tychicus to the Colossians
Lesson # 112
Colossians 4:7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. (NASB95)
“For I have sent him to you for this very purpose” refers to Paul sending or dispatching Tychicus to provide the Colossian Christian community information with regards to all his circumstances in Rome while he is awaiting his appeal trial before Caesar.
It indicates that the purpose of Paul’s sending Tychicus to the Colossians which is to provide the Colossians information regarding his circumstances in Rome is identical to his statement in Colossians 4:7.
“That you may know about our circumstances” explicitly presents the purpose for which Paul was sending Tychicus to the Colossian Christian community.
“And that he may encourage your hearts” presents the result of the previous hina clause indicating that it presents the result of Paul sending Tychicus to the Colossians in order to provide them information regarding his circumstances in Rome.
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, as well as a faithful servant and in addition, a fellow-servant of the Lord, will for your benefit certainly provide you information with regards to all my circumstances 8 I have sent him to all of you for this express purpose, namely that each of you would know our circumstances so that your hearts would be encouraged. (My translation)
In Colossians 4:7, the apostle Paul provided the Colossian Christian community with a three-fold description of Tychicus’ relationship to himself, the Colossians and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He then informed the Colossians that this man would provide them information with regards to all his circumstances.
When Paul wrote Colossians, he was suffering his first imprisonment in Rome while awaiting trial before Nero in A.D. 62.
Therefore, when he says that Tychicus will inform the Colossians about his circumstances, he is referring to this imprisonment which eventually resulted in his release.
Paul had two Roman imprisonments: (1) A.D. 60-62: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon (2) A.D. 68: 2 Timothy, Hebrews.
The apostle Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon during his first Roman imprisonment while he was awaiting his appeal before Caesar and he was actually permitted to have his own rented quarters in Rome with a Roman soldier guarding him (See Acts 28).
Now, here in Colossians 4:8, the apostle Paul identifies specifically for the Colossians what he implied in Colossians 4:7, namely that he was sending Tychicus to them for the express purpose that they would know all about his circumstances in Rome.
Notice Paul says “our circumstances” here in Colossians 4:8 whereas in Colossians 4:7 he says “my circumstances.”
Colossians 4:10-14 makes clear that Paul had companions with him in this city.
These would include not only Timothy but also Aristarchus, Barnabas’s cousin Mark, Jesus who is also called Justus, Epaphras their pastor, and Luke.
In Colossians 4:8, Paul also presents the contemplated result for sending Tychicus to the Colossian Christian community, namely that they would receive encouragement.
The Colossians would therefore receive encouragement after hearing that Paul was alive and well.
Warren Wiersbe writes “It was not easy for Tychicus to be associated with Paul, the prisoner; for Paul had many enemies. Nor was it easy for Tychicus to travel as he did, assisting Paul in his various tasks. Tychicus did not take the easy way, but rather the right way. Our churches today could use more members like Tychicus!”
The believer can derive encouragement from the Word of God (cf. Is. 51:12; 66:13; Ps. 119:50; Rom. 15:4-5; 2 Cor. 1:3-7; 7:4-6).
The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 2 Tim. 3:16) and encourages the believer through the Scriptures.
Hebrews 10:23-25 teaches that the believer can also derive encouragement by assembling with other believers to hear the Word of God as it is taught by the pastor-teacher.
The Scriptures also teach that the believer can receive encouragement from other believers who are in fellowship with God and possess divine viewpoint (cf. 2 Deut. 1:38; 3:28; Cor. 7:4-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:9-11, 14; Heb. 10:23-25).
The Scriptures teach that the believer receives encouragement from the communication of doctrine by the pastor-teacher (cf. 1 Thess. 2:10-12; 3:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:1-2).
Philippians 2:1 also teaches that the believer can derive encouragement from his knowledge of the baptism of the Spirit and their application of this doctrine.
Paul teaches in Colossians 2:1-2 that the intercessory prayers of other believers can be a source of encouragement for other believers.
The Scriptures also teach that the believer can receive encouragement through occupation with Christ (cf. Heb. 12:3).
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 5:9-11 also teach that knowledge of the immanency of the rapture is a source of encouragement for believers.
Hebrews 6:17-18 teaches that the believer can derive encouragement from understanding the immutable character and nature of God and His promises.
The advancing believer can gain encouragement that they will receive rewards for their faithfulness.
The Scriptures clearly teach that the believer will be rewarded for their faithfulness (Mt. 25:21-23; Lk. 16:10-12; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Lastly, Hebrews 12:4-13 teaches that the believer can derive encouraging knowing that they are disciplined by God because they are His children and are loved by Him.