Paul knows his time is short, we have already seen how he writes of his departure being at hand and having fought the good fight. Yet even in these desperate circumstances, his mind remains focused on the churches he has planted and the leaders he has trained.
We will now read a short sentence which gives some insight into what apostolic leadership actually is.
“I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.” – 2 Timothy 4:12
It demands the careful development and deployment of reliable leaders who can carry on the work when the founding apostle is no longer available.
It always placing the mission and the welfare of others above personal preferences, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Tychicus has appeared in Paul’s writings in places like Ephesians 6 v 21-22 and Colossians 4 v 7. He was a good friend to Paul.
Ephesus was no random assignment. Ephesus was arguably the most important church in Paul’s apostolic network, a metropolitan centre where he had invested three years of intensive ministry. The church there served as a hub for reaching the entire province of Asia Minor.
By the time of 2 Timothy, Ephesus likely faced significant challenges. False teachers were infiltrating the church (1 Timothy 1:3-7), and the spiritual climate was deteriorating. The church needed mature, tested leadership during this critical period. By sending away one of his closest and most reliable companions, Paul was choosing the needs of the church over his own comfort during his final, lonely days.
So what more can we learn?
- Send your friends. They need to be used of God as much as you. Celebrate that.
- Sacrifice for your friends and the mission. Don’t hold on to them for your own needs.
- Strategic thinking regarding your friends. What is best for them? What is best for where you are cheering them on to? Paul didn’t send Tychicus randomly but strategically placed him where his particular gifts and experience would be most effective.
Missions Paul 