Clarke's Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:7
Verse 7. All my state shall Tychicus] See the note on Ephesians vi. 21. Tychicus well knew the apostle's zeal and perseverance in preaching the Gospel, his sufferings on that account, his success in converting both Jews and Gentiles, and the converts which were made in Caesar's household; he could give these to the Colossians in ample detail, and some of them it would not have been prudent to commit to writing.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you , etc.] This Tychicus was an Asian by birth; (see Acts 20:4). His name signifies fortunate, and is the same with Fortunatus in Latin, which name is mentioned in ( 1 Corinthians 16:17) whether he is the same person may be inquired. It is said that this Tychicus was one of the seventy disciples, and was afterwards bishop of Chalcedon. However, he was employed by the apostle as a messenger to Colosse, as he also was to Ephesus, (see Ephesians 6:21 2 Timothy 4:12), to inform the members of the church of his state and condition, how it was with him; as that he was in prison at Rome, for the sake of the Gospel, which he continued to abide by, and held fast the profession of, not being in the least moved and intimidated by what he suffered, being supported by the presence of Christ, and the discoveries of his love; and therefore, though his outward state was very mean and uncomfortable, yet the inward state of his soul was right and good; the inward man was renewed day by day. He might also send word by him what his thoughts were about his deliverance, or his dissolution, and what expectation he had of either of these: and that they might give the greater credit to what Tychicus should relate from him, he gives him the following character, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister : the same character is given of him in ( Ephesians 6:21 (see Gill on Ephesians 6:21)) to which is here added, and fellow servant in the Lord ; he was a brother in Christ, being a partaker of the same grace, and in the same spiritual relation; and beloved of God, and Christ, of all the churches and saints that knew him, and especially by the apostle; and was also a minister of the Gospel, a preacher of Jesus Christ, and a faithful one to Christ, to his Gospel, and the souls of men; than which a greater character cannot well be given: and though the apostle was endued with such superior gifts, grace, and usefulness; yet he calls this ministering brother a fellow servant in the Lord; he having a commission to preach from the same Lord, and having the same Gospel intrusted with him, and being engaged in the same good work, and having the same ends in view, the glory of Christ, and the good of souls; though he had not equal abilities and qualifications, and was not in the same high post and office as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-9 - Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another They have one Lord, though they have different stations and powers for service. It is a great comfort under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have fellow Christians caring for us. Circumstances of lif make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians they partake of the same privileges, and are entitled to the sam regards. What amazing changes Divine grace makes! Faithless servant become faithful and beloved brethren, and some who had done wrong become fellow-workers of good.
Greek Textus Receptus
τα 3588 κατ 2596 εμε 1691 παντα 3956 γνωρισει 1107 5692 υμιν 5213 τυχικος 5190 ο 3588 αγαπητος 27 αδελφος 80 και 2532 πιστος 4103 διακονος 1249 και 2532 συνδουλος 4889 εν 1722 κυριω 2962
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Tychicus. Mentioned Acts xx. 4; Eph. vi. 21; 2 Tim. iv. 12; Tit. iii. 12.
Minister (diakonov). Probably to Paul himself. Compare Acts xix. 22; xx. 4. Scarcely in the official sense of deacon.
Fellow-servant (sundoulov). Used by Paul only here and ch. i. 7, of Epaphras. By this term he designates Tychicus as, in common with himself, a servant of Jesus Christ. Probably not with a strict, but with a quasi official reference.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:7 {All my affairs} (ta kat' eme panta). "All the things relating to me." The accusative case the object of gnwrisei. The same idiom in #Ac 25:14; Php 1:2. {Tychicus} (tucikos). Mentioned also in #Eph 6:21 as the bearer of that epistle and with the same verb gnwrisei (future active of gnwrizw) and with the same descriptive epithet as here (ho agapetos adelfos kai pistos diakonos en kuriwi, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord) except that here we have also kai sundoulos (and fellow-servant). Abbott suggests that Paul adds sundoulos because he had used it of Epaphras in #1:7. Perhaps pistos goes with both substantives and means faithful to Paul as well as to Christ.
