4:7–8 Two of the individuals mentioned in this list are personal emissaries of Paul to the Colossian church. Tychicus is singled out and commended as a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant. Paul’s association with him goes back to Ephesus (Acts 20:4), where it appears Tychicus may have spent some time as a church leader (2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12).

Paul dispatches Tychicus to Colossae as a personal messenger and probably as the bearer of this letter and anticipates that his coming will encourage their hearts. The word for encourage is parakaleō, which conveys a sense of comfort in this context. As a “paraclete,” Tychicus is a personal agent of the Holy Spirit to this congregation (John 14:16, 26; 16:7).

4:9 Onesimus, who is another faithful and dear brother, accompanies Tyc…