Scripture to Read: 2 Timothy 4:12-13
Just so we have a proper timeframe, the letter of 2 Timothy was written not too long before Paul’s death which occurred in AD 67. In 2 Timothy 4:12, God had Paul mention Tychicus, whom Paul had sent back to Ephesus. Tychicus had served alongside Paul in many of Paul’s missionary journeys. We find Tychicus first mentioned in Acts 20:1-4. Tychicus had been to Ephesus a few years earlier, for we read in Ephesians 6:21-22 where Paul had sent Tychicus to Ephesus to inform the believers there about Paul’s circumstances. The letter to the Ephesian believers was written around AD 60-62. We also find Tychicus mentioned in Colossians 4:7-8, where Paul had sent Tychicus to Colossae to inform the believers there about Paul’s circumstances around AD 62 when the letter of Colossians was written. Tychicus was a faithful servant of our Lord and a close companion to Paul. We need fellow believers in our lives who are willing to serve our Lord alongside us, just as Tychicus did with Paul. God would not have had Paul mention Tychicus if God was not teaching us something about being faithful servants of our Lord just like Tychicus had been. Even though Paul knew his life was drawing to a close, he asked Timothy to bring him his cloak, books, and parchments. God lets us see how Paul never stopped growing in his walk with our Lord. Paul’s books and the parchments, which were portions of the Old Testament, would have helped Paul in his daily growth and fellowship with our Lord.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about the need for godly friends in your life who are willing to serve with you and about your daily need to be in His Word, like Paul?
2. How are you currently pursuing and growing in God’s Word and in your fellowship with Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!