4:7-9
We see here the importance of relationships. Tychicus acted as an envoy for Paul while he was in prison, and is mentioned on several occasions in the New Testament (Acts 20:4, Eph 6:21, 2 Tim 4:12 and here). Three qualities in particular are mentioned here. Here is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant. These are qualities that any of us, especially those in leadership, should seek to have. Paul was sending him to the Colossians to give them news and to encourage them. Onesimus is the focus of the Philemon letter. He was a runaway slave, but became a useful servant of Christ (Philemon 11). I mentioned earlier that slavery in the first century was quite different from the American south type slavery, and we see here that Onesimus is considered an equal.
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