5190. Tuchikos

Lexical Summary

Tuchikos: Tychicus

Original Word: Τυχικός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Tuchikos
Pronunciation: too-khee-KOS
Phonetic Spelling: (too-khee-kos')
KJV: Tychicus
NASB: Tychicus
Word Origin: [from a derivative of G5177 (τυγχάνω - perhaps)]

1. fortuitous, i.e. fortunate
2. Tychicus, a Christian

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Tychicus.

From a derivative of tugchano; fortuitous, i.e. Fortunate; Tychicus, a Christian -- Tychicus.

see GREEK tugchano

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from tuché (fortune, fate)
Definition
"fortuitous," Tychicus, a Christian
NASB Translation
Tychicus (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5190: Τυχικός

Τυχικός (so WH; Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 l.) but R G L T Tr Τυχικός (Lipsius, Gram. Unters., p. 30; (Tdf. Proleg., p. 103; Chandler § 266)), τυχικοῦ, ὁ, Tychicus, an Asiatic Christian, friend and companion of the apostle Paul: Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12. (See Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited; B. D., under the word.)

STRONGS NT 5190a: υ [υ, Upsilon: on the use and the omission of the mark of diaeresis with, see Tdf. Prolog. p 108; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 136ff; cf. Scrivener, Collation of Codex Sinaiticus, etc. 2nd edition, p. xxxviii.]

Topical Lexicon

Introduction

Tychicus appears in five New Testament passages as a trusted associate of the Apostle Paul. Though mentioned only briefly, the pattern of his service portrays a reliable, Spirit-filled coworker who carried apostolic letters, relieved pastors, and embodied the unity of Jew and Gentile in the expanding church.

New Testament References

• Acts 20:4 records Tychicus among the Asian believers who traveled with Paul on the return leg of the third missionary journey: “He was accompanied by … Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.” By joining the team that conveyed the relief offering to Jerusalem, he demonstrated early faithfulness and cross-cultural solidarity.
• Ephesians 6:21: “Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.” Paul entrusted him to deliver news, encourage the saints, and read the circular letter to congregations throughout Asia Minor.
• Colossians 4:7: “Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.” Alongside Onesimus, he carried the epistles to Colossae (and very likely Philemon), exhibiting pastoral concern for both churches and individuals.
• 2 Timothy 4:12: “Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.” Near the end of Paul’s life, Tychicus is dispatched to relieve Timothy so the younger leader could visit the imprisoned apostle.
• Titus 3:12: “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis.” Either man would substitute for Titus in Crete, underscoring Tychicus’s capacity to stabilize congregations.

Historical and Ministry Profile

Origin: Described as “from Asia,” Tychicus was likely a native of the province whose chief city was Ephesus. His Greek name hints at a Gentile background, illustrating the gospel’s reach beyond Judaism.

Courier of Scripture: He conveyed at least two inspired letters (Ephesians and Colossians) and probably Philemon, making him a critical link in the transmission of God-breathed revelation. Ancient couriers not only delivered parchments but also interpreted tone, clarified questions, and encouraged hearers; Paul’s commendations show confidence in Tychicus’s theological accuracy and pastoral tenderness.

Interim Pastor: His deployments to Crete and Ephesus imply teaching competency and administrative skill. By filling leadership gaps, he enabled Timothy and Titus to consult personally with Paul without neglecting their flocks.

Character Traits and Spiritual Lessons

Beloved Brother: Twice called “beloved,” Tychicus models warm fellowship that transcends ethnic and cultural lines.

Faithful Minister: Repeatedly designated “faithful,” he proves that steady obedience, not prominence, secures lasting usefulness.

Servant in the Lord: His work is framed by lordship language, reminding modern readers that genuine ministry is Christ-centered, not personality-driven.

Role in the Pauline Mission

1. Representative of the Gentile contribution to the Jerusalem offering (Acts 20).
2. Carrier and expositor of canonical epistles (Ephesians, Colossians, likely Philemon).
3. Stand-in overseer who freed key leaders for strategic consultation (2 Timothy 4, Titus 3).
4. Embodiment of Paul’s vision for a cooperative missionary band drawn from varied backgrounds yet united in Christ.

Tychicus in Early Church Tradition

Later patristic references (e.g., the Apostolic Constitutions) identify him as bishop of Colophon or Chalcedon. While not verifiable from Scripture, such traditions attest to his enduring reputation for reliability and leadership.

Application for Contemporary Ministry

The church still needs Tychicus-like servants who quietly ensure that:
• God’s Word reaches its destination intact and clearly explained.
• Congregations remain cared for when primary leaders are absent.
• Cross-cultural partnerships flourish for the sake of the gospel.

His five brief mentions challenge believers to pursue humble fidelity, confident that the Lord records and rewards every act of service.

Forms and Transliterations

Τυχικον Τυχικὸν Τύχικον Τυχικος Τυχικὸς Τύχικος υαίνης Tuchikon Tuchikos Tychikon Týchikon Tychikos Týchikos

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 20:4 N-NMS
GRK: Ἀσιανοὶ δὲ Τύχικος καὶ Τρόφιμος
NAS: and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus
KJV: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
INT: Asia moreover Tychicus and Trophimus

Ephesians 6:21 N-NMS
GRK: γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τύχικος ὁ ἀγαπητὸς
NAS: I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved
KJV: I do, Tychicus, a beloved
INT: will make known to you Tychicus the beloved

Colossians 4:7 N-NMS
GRK: γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τύχικος ὁ ἀγαπητὸς
NAS: As to all my affairs, Tychicus, [our] beloved
KJV: state shall Tychicus declare unto you,
INT: will make known to you Tychicus the beloved

2 Timothy 4:12 N-AMS
GRK: Τύχικον δὲ ἀπέστειλα
NAS: But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
KJV: And Tychicus have I sent to
INT: Tychicus moreover I sent

Titus 3:12 N-AMS
GRK: σὲ ἢ Τύχικον σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν
NAS: or Tychicus to you, make every effort
KJV: thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
INT: you or Tychicus be diligent to come

Strong's Greek 5190
5 Occurrences

Τύχικον — 2 Occ.
Τύχικος — 3 Occ.