Daily EncouragementSample

Tychicus is an interesting person. Bishop Moule observes that his is the only personal name mentioned in this Epistle by Paul (except his own and the Lord’s). It seems he was an Asian and probably an Ephesian (cf Acts 20:4).

He was sent specifically to encourage others - “I am sending him . . . that he may encourage you,“ or “that you may take fresh heart,“ as J. B. Phillips puts it. It is a privileged ministry, much needed and greatly appreciated by the Lord’s people, not least by missionaries and ministers of the word.

“The dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord” - a description which expresses the fundamental qualifications for an encourager. It is “the dear brother” for whom we feel an inevitable affection - the one who had proved himself faithful in the Lord’s work, who will enable us to take fresh heart.

Tychicus was well equipped to encourage with the Epistles to the Ephesians, the Colossians and Philemon in his pocket. If a man has the gift of encouragement, his presence will put new heart into us. But he will be at his best when he takes out the Scriptures and expounds the word of God. Nothing is more encouraging to the encourager than the testimony, “I remember the word you brought!”