TRV
Translation
King James Version
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
Complete Jewish Bible
I have sent him to you for this very reason — so that you might know how we are, and so that he might encourage you.
Berean Standard Bible
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
American Standard Version
whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;
World English Bible Messianic
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Whom I haue sent vnto you for the same purpose that he might know your state, and might comfort your hearts,
Young's Literal Translation
whom I did send unto you for this very thing, that he might know the things concerning you, and might comfort your hearts,
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In the KJVVerse 29,551 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Colossians 4 verses 7–18
7 ¶ All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
In the close of this epistle the apostle does several of his friends the honour to leave their names upon record, with some testimony of his respect, which will be spoken of wherever the gospel comes, and last to the end of the world.
I. Concerning Tychicus, Col 4:7. By him this epistle was sent; and he does not give them an account in writing of his present state, because Tychicus would do it by word of mouth more fully and particularly. He knew they would be glad to hear how it fared with him. The churches cannot but be concerned for good ministers and desirous to know their state. He gives him this character, A beloved brother and faithful minister. Paul, though a great apostle, owns a faithful minister for a brother and a beloved brother. Faithfulness in any one is truly lovely, and renders him worthy our affection and esteem. And a fellow-servant in the Lord. Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another. They have one Lord, though they have different stations and capacities of service. Observe, It adds much to the beauty and strength of the gospel ministry when ministers are thus loving and condescending one to another, and by all just means support and advance one another's reputation. Paul sent him not only to tell them of his affairs, but to bring him an account of theirs: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts, Col 4:8. He was willing to hear from them as they could be to hear from him, and thought himself as much obliged to sympathize with them as he thought them obliged to sympathize with him. It is a great comfort, under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have the mutual concern of fellow-christians.
II. Concerning Onesimus (Col 4:9): With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. He was sent back from Rome along with Tychicus. This was he whom Paul had begotten in his bonds, Plm 1:10. He had been servant to Philemon, and was a member, if not a minister, of their church. He was converted at Rome, whither he had fled from his master's service; and was now sent back, it is probable, with the epistle to Philemon, to introduce him again into his master's family. Observe, Though he was a poor servant, and had been a bad man, yet, being now a convert, Paul calls him a faithful and beloved brother. The meanest circumstance of life, and greatest wickedness of former life, make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians: they partake of the same privileges, and are entitles to the same regards. The righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is unto all and upon all those that believe; for there is no difference (Rom 3:22): and there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, Gal 3:28. Perhaps this was some time after he was converted and sent back to Philemon, and by this time he had entered into the ministry, because Paul calls him a brother.
III. Aristarchus, a fellow-prisoner. Those who join in services and sufferings should be thereby engaged to one another in holy love. Paul had a particular affection for his fellow-servants and his fellow-prisoners.
IV. Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas. This is supposed to be the same who wrote the gospel which bears his name. If he come unto you receive him. Paul had a quarrel with Barnabas upon the account of this Mark, who was his nephew, and thought not good to take him with them, because he departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work, Act 15:38. He would not take Mark with him, but took Silas, because Mark had deserted them; and yet Paul is not only reconciled to him himself, but recommends him to the respect of the churches, and gives a great example of a truly Christian forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not be always remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. If a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, Gal 6:1.
V. Here is one who is called Jesus, which is the Greek name for the Hebrew Joshua. If Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of another day, Heb 4:8. Who is called Justus. It is probable that he changed his name for that of Justus, in honour to the name of the Redeemer. Or else Jesus was his Jewish name, for he was of the circumcision; and Justus his Roman or Latin name. These are my fellow-labourers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me. Observe, What comfort the apostle had in the communion of saints and ministers! One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, who were working out their own salvation and endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. Good ministers take great comfort in those who are their fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God. Their friendship and converse together are a great refreshment under the sufferings and difficulties in their way.
VI. Epaphras (Col 4:12), the same with Epaphroditus. He is one of you, one of your church; he salutes you, or sends his service to you, and his best affections and wishes. Always labouring fervently for you in prayers. Epaphras had learned of Paul to be much in prayer for his friends. Observe, 1. In what manner he prayed for them. He laboured in prayer, laboured fervently, and always laboured fervently for them. Those who would succeed in prayer must take pains in prayer; and we must be earnest in prayer, not only for ourselves, but for others also. It is the effectual fervent prayer which is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much (Jam 5:16), and Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain, Col 4:17. 2. What is the matter of this prayer: That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Observe, To stand perfect and complete in the will of God is what we should earnestly desire both for ourselves and others. We must stand complete in all the will of God; in the will of his precepts by a universal obedience, and in the will of his providence by a cheerful submission to it: and we stand perfect and complete in both by constancy and perseverance unto the end. The apostle was witness for Epaphras that he had a great zeal for them: "I bear him record; I can testify for him that he has a great concern for you, and that all he does for you proceeds from a warm desire for your good." And his zeal extended to all about them: to those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He had a great concern for the Christian interest in the neighbouring places, as well as among them.
VII. Luke is another here mentioned, whom he calls the beloved physician. This is he who wrote the Gospel and Acts, and was Paul's companion. Observe, He was both a physician and an evangelist. Christ himself both taught and healed, and was the great physician as well as prophet of the church. He was the beloved physician; one who recommended himself more than ordinary to the affections of his friends. Skill in physic is a useful accomplishment in a minister and may be improved to more extensive usefulness and greater esteem among Christians.
VIII. Demas. Whether this was written before the second epistle to Timothy or after is not certain. There we read (Ti2 4:10), Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. Some have thought that this epistle was written after; and then it is an evidence that, though Demas forsook Paul, yet he did not forsake Christ; or he forsook him but for a time, and recovered himself again, and Paul forgave him and owned him as a brother. But others think more probably that this epistle was written before the other; this in anno 62, that in 66, and then it is an evidence how considerable a man Demas was, who yet afterwards revolted. Many who have made a great figure in profession, and gained a great name among Christians, have yet shamefully apostatized: They went forth from us, because they were not of us, Jo1 2:19.
IX. The brethren in Laodicea are here mentioned, as living in the neighbourhood of Colosse: and Paul sends salutations to them, and orders that this epistle should be read in the church of the Laodiceans (Col 4:16), that a copy of it should be sent thither, to be read publicly in their congregation. And some think Paul sent another epistle at this time to Laodicea, and ordered them to send for that from Laodicea, and read it in their church: And that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. If so, that epistle is now lost, and did not belong to the canon; for all the epistles which the apostles ever wrote were not preserved, any more than the words and actions of our blessed Lord. There are many other things which Jesus did, which if they should be written every one, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books which would be written, Joh 21:25. But some think it was the epistle to the Ephesians, which is still extant.
X. Nymphas is mentioned (Col 4:15) as one who lived at Colosse, and had a church in his house; that is, either a religious family, where the several parts of worship were daily performed; or some part of the congregation met there, when they had no public places of worship allowed, and they were forced to assemble in private houses for fear of their enemies. The disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews (Joh 20:19), and the apostle preached in his own lodging and hired house, Act 28:23, Act 28:30. In the former sense it showed his exemplary piety; in the latter his zeal and public spirit.
XI. Concerning Archippus, who was one of their ministers at Colosse. They are bidden to admonish him to mind his work as a minister, to take heed to it, and to fulfil it - to be diligent and careful of all the parts of it, and to persevere in it unto the end. They must attend to the main design of their ministry, without troubling themselves or the people with things foreign to it, or of less moment. Observe, (1.) The ministry we have received is a great honour; for it is received in the Lord, and is by his appointment and command. (2.) Those who have received it must fulfil it, or do the full duty of it. Those betray their trust, and will have a sad account at last, who do this work of the Lord negligently. (3.) The people may put their ministers in mind of their duty, and excite them to it: Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry, though no doubt with decency and respect, not from pride and conceit.
XII. Concerning himself (Col 4:18): The salutation of me Paul. Remember my bonds. He had a scribe to write all the rest of the epistle, but these words he wrote with his own hand: Remember my bonds. He does not say, "Remember I am a prisoner, and send me supply;" but, "Remember I am in bonds as the apostle of the Gentiles, and let this confirm your faith in the gospel of Christ:" it adds weight to this exhortation: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy, Eph 4:1. "Grace be with you. The favour of God, and all good, the blessed fruits and effects of it, be with you, and be your portion."
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–18. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Colossians 11
Here he shows his great love, seeing that for this purpose he sent him, and this was the cause of his journey; and so when writing to the Thessalonians, he said, "Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy our brother." (1 Thess. iii. 1, 2.) And to the Ephesians he sends this very same person, and for the very same cause, "That he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts." (Eph. vi. 21, 22.) See what he saith, not "that ye might know my estate," but "that I might know yours." So in no place doth he mention what is his own. He shows that they were in trials too, by the expression, "comfort your hearts."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Colossians 4:8 articulates the profound pastoral intention behind Paul's dispatch of Tychicus to the church in Colossae. Tychicus's mission was twofold: to personally ascertain the Colossians' circumstances and spiritual condition, and crucially, to provide deep comfort and encouragement to their hearts. This verse reveals Paul's unwavering commitment to the well-being of the believers, ensuring that even from imprisonment, his care extended beyond mere written words to tangible, empathetic presence through a trusted messenger.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Purpose Clauses, introduced by "that he might know" and "and comfort," clearly delineating the specific objectives of Tychicus's mission. This grammatical structure emphasizes Paul's deliberate and intentional pastoral strategy. There is also a strong Pastoral Tone evident throughout the verse, reflecting Paul's deep affection and concern for the Colossian believers, even while he is physically separated from them. The phrase "comfort your hearts" uses Metonymy, where "hearts" stands in for the entire inner being—their emotions, spirits, and minds—underscoring the holistic nature of the spiritual encouragement Tychicus was to provide. The verse also functions as a form of Apostolic Delegation, where Paul, as the apostle, entrusts a vital aspect of his ministry to a trusted representative, extending his pastoral reach.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Colossians 4:8 encapsulates a profound theological truth about the nature of Christian community and ministry: it is fundamentally relational, empathetic, and geared towards mutual edification. Paul's sending of Tychicus to "know your estate" and "comfort your hearts" is a practical outworking of the command to love one another, demonstrating that genuine spiritual leadership involves actively seeking to understand and minister to the specific needs of individuals and communities. This holistic approach to care, addressing both practical circumstances and emotional/spiritual well-being, mirrors God's own comprehensive care for His people. It reminds us that ministry is not merely about imparting information, but about embodying Christ's compassion and strengthening the bonds of faith through intentional presence and encouragement.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Colossians 4:8 offers a timeless blueprint for how believers are to interact within the body of Christ. It challenges us to move beyond superficial greetings to cultivate genuine empathy and understanding for one another's "estate." This means actively listening, observing, and seeking to comprehend the joys, struggles, and spiritual journeys of those around us, rather than making assumptions or remaining detached. Furthermore, the imperative to "comfort your hearts" calls us to be agents of God's grace, offering encouragement, consolation, and spiritual strengthening to fellow believers. In a world often marked by isolation and despair, the church is called to be a sanctuary of authentic connection and heartfelt support. This verse encourages us to be like Tychicus: faithful, present, and intentional in our care, extending Christ's love through our words and actions, thereby building up the body and fostering resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was Tychicus and why was he chosen for this mission?
Answer: Tychicus was a trusted companion and fellow minister of Paul, identified in Colossians 4:7 as "a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord." He was likely from Asia Minor (possibly Ephesus, Acts 20:4). Paul chose him for this crucial mission because of his proven faithfulness, reliability, and spiritual maturity. In an era without modern communication, a messenger like Tychicus needed to be more than just a courier; he had to be capable of accurately conveying Paul's message, answering questions, and providing personal pastoral care and encouragement. His trustworthiness made him an ideal representative for Paul, especially given Paul's imprisonment.
What does it mean for Tychicus to "know your estate"?
Answer: To "know your estate" (Greek: ginōskō ta peri hymōn) means to gain a deep, comprehensive, and empathetic understanding of the Colossians' current circumstances, challenges, and spiritual condition. It goes beyond a superficial update to involve personal observation, conversation, and discernment. Tychicus was tasked with understanding their specific struggles (e.g., false teachings, persecution, internal dynamics), their spiritual progress, and their overall well-being. This firsthand knowledge was vital for Paul to continue offering informed prayers and guidance, demonstrating his genuine, active pastoral concern for their lives. It reflects a commitment to truly seeing and understanding the flock.
How does Tychicus's mission to "comfort your hearts" relate to Paul's own situation?
Answer: Paul was imprisoned when he wrote Colossians (Colossians 4:3). His imprisonment could have been a source of anxiety, discouragement, or even doubt for the Colossian believers. Tychicus's mission to "comfort your hearts" was therefore crucial. He was sent not only to inform them of Paul's well-being but also to reassure them, strengthen their faith, and alleviate any fears or anxieties they might have had concerning Paul's condition or the broader challenges facing the early church. Tychicus's presence and encouragement would serve as a tangible expression of Paul's enduring love and the steadfastness of the gospel, helping them to remain firm in their faith despite external pressures.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Colossians 4:8, with Tychicus sent to "know your estate, and comfort your hearts," beautifully foreshadows and reflects the ultimate mission of Jesus Christ. Just as Tychicus was sent by Paul to personally understand and minister to the Colossians, so too was Christ sent by the Father to deeply "know our estate." The Incarnation itself is the ultimate act of God knowing our estate; the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), fully identifying with humanity in its fallen condition, experiencing our weaknesses and temptations (Hebrews 4:15). He came not merely to observe but to intimately understand our plight, our sin, and our need for salvation. Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate Comforter of our hearts. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He addresses the deepest anxieties and brokenness of the human heart, offering forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation with God. His resurrection provides the ultimate comfort of eternal hope, conquering death and promising new life. Moreover, Christ promised the Holy Spirit, the "Helper" or "Comforter" (Paraclete), who continues His work of knowing our struggles and comforting our hearts, dwelling within believers and guiding them into all truth (John 14:16-18). Thus, Tychicus's mission serves as a poignant, albeit imperfect, human parallel to the divine, redemptive mission of Christ, who truly knows our every need and provides ultimate, everlasting comfort.