Colossians 4 7

Colossians 4:7 kjv

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Colossians 4:7 nkjv

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

Colossians 4:7 niv

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

Colossians 4:7 esv

Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

Colossians 4:7 nlt

Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord's work.

Colossians 4 verses

Colossians 4 7 Meaning

Colossians 4:7 serves as Paul's commendation of Tychicus, introducing him as the reliable messenger who would provide the Colossians with a complete update on Paul's current circumstances and ministry. Paul describes Tychicus using three foundational terms that highlight his character and relationship within the Christian community: "beloved brother," "faithful minister," and "fellow servant in the Lord." This verse underscores the deep bonds of spiritual family, dedicated service, and shared submission to Christ that characterized the early church.

Colossians 4 7 Context

Colossians 4:7 falls within the closing section of Paul's epistle, where he typically includes personal greetings, commendations of co-workers, and requests for prayer. Chapters 1-2 establish Christ's supremacy over all things, countering philosophical speculations and ascetic practices that undermined the gospel. Chapter 3 focuses on practical living consistent with union with Christ – the putting off of old self and putting on new self. Chapter 4 begins with further exhortations on prayer and conduct toward outsiders (Col 4:2-6). Verses 7-9 introduce Paul's messengers, Tychicus and Onesimus, who would not only deliver the letter but also personally update the Colossian believers on Paul's welfare, especially important given his imprisonment. This personal touch highlights Paul's pastoral care and the vital network of communication and fellowship that sustained the early church.

Colossians 4 7 Word analysis

• "Tychicus" (Τυχικός - Tychikos): A proper name of Greek origin, meaning "fortuitous" or "lucky." He was a real individual, known from several other Pauline epistles as one of Paul's faithful companions and messengers. This indicates the concrete and relational nature of early Christian ministry.
• "will tell you all about" (γνωρίσει ὑμῖν πάντα - gnōrisei hymin panta): Literally "will make known to you all things." The future tense indicates certainty. This suggests Tychicus' role went beyond mere letter delivery; he was authorized to give a comprehensive, verbal report about Paul's current "affairs" or "activities" (τὰ κατ' ἐμὲ - ta kat' eme). This personal update would assure the Colossians of Paul's state and circumstances, which would have been of great concern given his imprisonment.
• "my activities" (τὰ κατ' ἐμέ - ta kat' eme): Literally "the things concerning me" or "what concerns me." This broad phrase encompasses Paul's personal well-being, his spiritual state, the circumstances of his imprisonment, and perhaps even the progress of the gospel from his confinement. It refers to the details of his daily life and ministry while in custody.
• "he is" (ὅς ἐστιν - hos estin): Simple identifying statement introducing the subsequent descriptions of Tychicus' character and roles.
• "beloved brother" (ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφός - agapētos adelphos):
  • "beloved" (ἀγαπητός - agapētos): Signifies a deep, self-sacrificial love (agape) in the spiritual family context. It points to a profound bond of affection and esteem, rooted in their shared faith in Christ. This term is consistently used by Paul to denote spiritual intimacy and value.
  • "brother" (ἀδελφός - adelphos): This term emphasizes a spiritual kinship. In the New Testament, "brother" frequently refers to fellow Christians, signifying their common Father (God), shared adoption in Christ, and membership in one spiritual family. It highlights equality and mutual responsibility within the body of Christ.
• "faithful minister" (πιστὸς διάκονος - pistos diakonos):
  • "faithful" (πιστός - pistos): Implies trustworthiness, reliability, and steadfastness in duty. This quality is paramount for anyone entrusted with gospel ministry and especially for a messenger bearing crucial information. It signifies loyalty to Christ and dedication to service.
  • "minister" (διάκονος - diakonos): Derived from the word for "servant" or "deacon." This term describes one who serves, especially in practical ways, or one who performs specific acts of ministry. It emphasizes humble service on behalf of God and others, distinct from an official title here, conveying his general function in spreading the gospel.
• "and fellow servant in the Lord" (καὶ σύνδουλος ἐν κυρίῳ - kai syndoulos en Kyriō):
  • "fellow servant" (σύνδουλος - syndoulos): This powerful compound noun means "joint slave" or "fellow bond-servant." It underscores a shared condition of being utterly devoted to and owned by the same Master, Jesus Christ. This term transcends any hierarchical distinction, emphasizing a common allegiance and collaborative work in the service of the Lord. It implies a partnership in their shared submission to Christ.
  • "in the Lord" (ἐν κυρίῳ - en Kyriō): This essential phrase specifies the sphere and basis of Tychicus's character and service. All these descriptions—his beloved brotherhood, faithful ministry, and fellow service—are not merely human distinctions but are grounded in their union with Christ. It means that his faithfulness and service are performed in dependence on Christ, according to His will, and for His glory. This spiritual reality defines their relationship and work.

Colossians 4 7 Bonus section

The threefold description of Tychicus ("beloved brother," "faithful minister," "fellow servant") is highly intentional and paints a comprehensive picture of Christian identity in action: it encompasses personal affection, active function, and relational solidarity. Paul's frequent reliance on individuals like Tychicus illustrates the early church's robust communication network, essential for spreading doctrine, strengthening local churches, and providing pastoral care from apostles even under imprisonment. This personal contact via trusted individuals was a primary means by which apostolic authority and teaching were propagated and sustained, long before the widespread availability of written copies of epistles.

Colossians 4 7 Commentary

Colossians 4:7, though seemingly a brief personal note, carries profound implications for the nature of Christian community and ministry. It highlights the indispensable role of trustworthy messengers in the early church, particularly given the challenges of communication across distances. Tychicus is portrayed not merely as a delivery man, but as a person of commendable character – a "beloved brother" denoting deep affection and familial bond in Christ; a "faithful minister" indicating his reliability and dedicated service to the gospel; and a "fellow servant" demonstrating his shared commitment with Paul to Christ as their supreme Master. This verse emphasizes that Christian relationships and service are ultimately defined and empowered by "the Lord," meaning Jesus Christ. It underscores the spirit of unity, co-labor, and humble submission that characterized effective gospel partnerships in the early church, foundational for building and sustaining vibrant communities of faith.For practical usage, this verse reminds believers of the value of mutual trust and support within the Christian fellowship, the necessity of faithfulness in any service rendered for the Lord, and the ultimate foundation of all ministry being in Christ.