“And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come–and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:12-13).
In addition to his role as an emissary, it appears that Tychicus was a close friend and traveling companion of Paul the Apostle. For example, Tychicus was part of a group that accompanied Paul during his third missionary journey according to Acts 20:2-5. Paul also identified Tychicus as “…a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord…” in his letter to the church in the city of Colossae (Colossians 4:7-8).
The fact that Paul decided to send Tychicus to Ephesus also presents us with an interesting possibility to consider. Since Luke was Paul’s last remaining companion, he might have been reluctant to allow a friend like Tychicus to leave him. However, it seems Paul felt that the needs of the church in Ephesus outweighed any desire he may have had to keep his few remaining friends close by. Thus, we can say that Paul put the needs of others ahead of his own in this matter.
Timothy was someone who mirrored Paul’s attitude in this regard as well…
“If the Lord is willing, I will send Timothy to see you soon. Then when he comes back, he can cheer me up by telling me all about you and how you are getting along. There is no one like Timothy for having a real interest in you…” (Philippians 2:19-20).
Paul’s confidence in Timothy was related to his attitude toward the Philippians: “He takes a genuine interest in your welfare” (GW). That made Timothy different from others who may have been more self-absorbed. This shared characteristic may also help to explain why Paul considered Timothy to be his “…true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).
These examples remind us that something that is best for us may not always be best for someone else. Because of this, it is important to prayerfully consider the implications of our decisions and their potential impact upon others. This does not prohibit us from acting in our best interest, but it does mean that we have an obligation to look beyond those interests and respond accordingly.
For some, the agenda of life contains one item: “what’s best for me.” But much like the example set by Paul the Apostle, the agenda of a God-honoring life also includes “what’s best for others” as well. As we’re reminded in the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians, “Try to do what is good for others, not just what is good for yourselves” (1 Corinthians 10:24 ERV).