The Meaning of Colossians 4:7 Explained

Colossians 4:7

KJV: All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

YLT: All the things concerning me make known to you shall Tychicus -- the beloved brother, and faithful ministrant, and fellow-servant in the Lord --

Darby: Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-bondman in the Lord, will make known to you all that concerns me;

ASV: All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

All  my  state  shall  Tychicus  declare  unto you,  [who is] a beloved  brother,  and  a faithful  minister  and  fellowservant  in  the Lord: 

What does Colossians 4:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Colossians 4:2-9 - Prayer And Daily Living
We must pray more. Our lives cannot maintain the Godward attitude without prolonged seasons of communication with Him through the Word. This is so important that we must be ever on the watch against whatever might mar the life of devotion. Intercession will often unlock frost-bitten lips and make our souls glow. Withal praying also for us. If we are shut in and cannot perform active service, we can surely pray for those who are entrusted with the mystery of Christ; and let those who are called to active service be ready to step in when God opens the door, Colossians 4:3. The limitations of life are no excuse for idleness, Colossians 4:4.
It is not easy to walk in wisdom towards those that are without. But God will teach us how to buy up opportunities and crowd each of them with good service. Our talk may sparkle like salt and purify as it does. Paul bound his fellow-workers to himself by the high estimate he placed on them. Love idealizes. Probably we should have thought some of these men to be very ordinary, but the Apostle saw them in hues borrowed from his own heart. Onesimus, a runaway slave, recently converted, is described as a faithful and beloved brother! [source]

Chapter Summary: Colossians 4

1  He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;
5  to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ
10  He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity

Greek Commentary for Colossians 4:7

All my affairs [τα κατ εμε παντα]
“All the things relating to me.” The accusative case the object of γνωρισει — gnōrisei The same idiom in Acts 25:14; Philemon 1:2. [source]
Tychicus [Τυχικος]
Mentioned also in Ephesians 6:21 as the bearer of that Epistle and with the same verb γνωρισει — gnōrisei (future active of γνωριζω — gnōrizō) and with the same descriptive epithet as here Abbott suggests that Paul adds συνδουλος — sundoulos because he had used it of Epaphras in Colossians 1:7. Perhaps πιστος — pistos goes with both substantives and means faithful to Paul as well as to Christ. [source]
Tychicus []
Mentioned Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12. [source]
Minister [διάκονος]
Probably to Paul himself. Compare Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4. Scarcely in the official sense of deacon. [source]
Fellow-servant [σύνδουλος]
Used by Paul only here and Colossians 1:7, of Epaphras. By this term he designates Tychicus as, in common with himself, a servant of Jesus Christ. Probably not with a strict, but with a quasi official reference. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 4:7

Acts 20:4 Tychicus and Trophimus []
See Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8; Ephesians 6:21, Ephesians 6:22; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12; Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20. [source]
Romans 1:15 So as much as in me is I am ready [ουτω το κατ εμε προτυμον]
Literally, “Thus the according to me affair is ready” It is an awkward idiom like to τα κατ εμε — ex humōn in Romans 12:18. The plural ta kat' eme we find in Philemon 1:12; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21. [source]
Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus []
See on Colossians 4:7. [source]
Ephesians 6:21 That ye also may know [ινα ειδητε και υμεις]
Final clause with ινα — hina and second perfect subjunctive active of οιδα — oida For Tychicus, see note on Colossians 4:7. [source]
Ephesians 6:22 Our state [τα περι ημων]
“The things concerning us,” practically the same as τα κατ εμε — ta kat' eme of Ephesians 6:21. See both phrases in Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8. [source]
Philippians 1:22 Yet what I shall choose I wot not [καὶ τί αἱρήσομαι οὐ γνωρίζω]
Καὶ rendered yet has the force of then. If living in the flesh be, etc., then what I shall choose, etc. Wot is obsolete for know. In classical Greek γνωρίζω means: 1, to make known point out; 2, to become acquainted with or discover; 3, to have acquaintance with. In the Septuagint the predominant meaning seems to be to make known. See Proverbs 22:19; Ezekiel 44:23; Daniel 2:6, Daniel 2:10; Daniel 5:7. The sense here is to declare or make known, as everywhere in the New Testament. Compare Luke 2:15; John 17:26; Acts 2:28; Colossians 4:7; 2 Peter 1:16, etc. If I am assured that my continuing to live is most fruitful for the Church, then I say nothing as to my personal preference. I do not declare my choice. It is not for me to express a choice. [source]
Colossians 1:7 Fellow-servant []
Used by Paul only here and Colossians 4:7. [source]
2 Timothy 4:12 Tychicus []
A comparatively uncommon name in N.T., but found in inscriptions of Asia Minor and on Asiatic coins. He is mentioned Acts 20:4, Acts 20:5; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7. In Acts 20:4he is described as a native of proconsular Asia. [source]
Titus 3:12 Artemas [Αρτεμαν]
Perhaps abbreviation of Artemidorus. Nothing more is known of him. Or Tychicus (η Τυχικον — ē Tuchikon). Paul‘s well-known disciple (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12). To Nicopolis Probably in Epirus, a good place for work in Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10). I have determined (κεκρικα — kekrika). Perfect active indicative. I have decided. To winter there First aorist active infinitive of παραχειμαζω — paracheimazō a literary Koiné{[28928]}š word for which see note on Acts 27:12; note on 1 Corinthians 16:6. [source]
Titus 3:12 Or Tychicus [η Τυχικον]
Paul‘s well-known disciple (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12). [source]
2 Peter 3:15 Is salvation [σωτηριαν]
Predicate accusative after ηγειστε — hēgeisthe in apposition with μακροτυμιαν — makrothumian (long-suffering), an opportunity for repentance (cf. 1 Peter 3:20). The Lord here is Christ.Our beloved brother Paul (ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος — ho agapētos adelphos Paulos). Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Romans 16:5, Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Galatians 2:11-14.Given to him First aorist passive participle of διδωμι — didōmi with dative case. Peter claimed wisdom for himself, but recognises that Paul had the gift also. His language here may have caution in it as well as commendation. “St. Peter speaks of him with affection and respect, yet maintains the right to criticise” (Bigg). [source]
2 Peter 3:15 Our beloved brother Paul [ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος]
Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Galatians 2:11-14 Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Romans 16:5,. [source]
Revelation 19:10 See thou do it not [ορα μη]
Repeated in Revelation 22:9. Here there is no verb after μη — mē (ellipse of ποιησηις τουτο — poiēsēis touto) as in Mark 1:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:15), the aorist subjunctive of negative purpose with μη — mē after ορα — hora (present active imperative of οραω — horaō), a common enough idiom.Fellow-servant (συνδουλος — sundoulos). The angel refuses worship from John on this ground. All Christians are συνδουλοι — sundouloi (fellow-servants) as Christ taught (Matthew 18:28.; Matthew 24:49) and as Paul (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7) and John (Revelation 6:11) taught. Angels are God‘s servants also (Hebrews 1:4-14). For “the testimony of Jesus” see Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 22:4.Worship God And Christ, who is the Son of God (Revelation 5:13.).The spirit of prophecy (το πνευμα της προπητειας — to pneuma tēs prophēteias). Explanatory use of γαρ — gar (for) here as in Revelation 19:8. The possession of the prophetic spirit shows itself in witness to Jesus. In illustration see Mark 1:10; Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 14:17; Revelation 15:5; Revelation 18:1; Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:7-9. [source]
Revelation 19:10 Fellow-servant [συνδουλος]
The angel refuses worship from John on this ground. All Christians are συνδουλοι — sundouloi (fellow-servants) as Christ taught (Matthew 18:28.; Matthew 24:49) and as Paul (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7) and John (Revelation 6:11) taught. Angels are God‘s servants also (Hebrews 1:4-14). For “the testimony of Jesus” see Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 22:4. [source]

What do the individual words in Colossians 4:7 mean?

The things concerning me all will make known to you Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful servant fellow bond-servant in [the] Lord
Τὰ κατ’ ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικὸς ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος σύνδουλος ἐν Κυρίῳ

Τὰ  The  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κατ’  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἐμὲ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
γνωρίσει  will  make  known 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γνωρίζω  
Sense: to make known.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
Τυχικὸς  Tychicus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Τυχικός  
Sense: an Asiatic Christian, friend and companion of the apostle Paul.
ἀγαπητὸς  beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
ἀδελφὸς  brother 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
πιστὸς  faithful 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πιστός  
Sense: trusty, faithful.
διάκονος  servant 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάκονος  
Sense: one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.
σύνδουλος  fellow  bond-servant 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σύνδουλος  
Sense: a fellow servant, one who serves the same master with another.
Κυρίῳ  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.