+I. The dignity of his office.+--Seen: 1. _In the majesty of the
Prince from whom he comes._ 2. _In the greatness of the Person whose
place he supplies._ 3. _In the excellency of the message he brings._
+II. How the duty of his office should be discharged.+--1. _Stain not
the dignity of thy office by any base, unworthy practices._ 2. _Keep
close to thy instructions._ 3. _Think it not enough that thou
deliverest thy message from God, but show a zeal for thy Master whose
cause thou negotiatest._ 4. _Let not any person or thing in the world
bribe or scare thee from a faithful discharge of thy trust._ 5. _Be
kind to and tenderly careful of thy fellow-subjects.--Ibid._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 21, 22.
_A Trusted Messenger_--
+I. Commended for his acknowledged Christian character.+--"Tychicus,
a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord" (ver. 21). These
are high and honourable designations, and indicate the genuine esteem
in which he was held by the apostle. He had become endeared to Paul
by the many valuable services he had rendered to him, and by the
marked fidelity of his ministerial work. He appears to have joined
St. Paul's staff, and remained with him from the time he accompanied
him to Jerusalem in the year 59. He was sent to Ephesus to relieve
Timothy when Paul desired the presence of the latter at Rome. He was
well known to the Asian Church, and every way qualified to discharge
the mission with which he was entrusted. He was "the beloved brother"
in his relation to the Church in general, and the "faithful minister
in the Lord" in his special relation to the apostle. It is better to
be loved than to be simply popular. Genuine piety forms character,
and commands the confidence and respect of all lovers of the truth.
+II. Entrusted with personal details of special interest.+--"Whom I
have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our
affairs" (ver. 22). There were probably some details about St. Paul's
imprisonment that could be communicated better in person than by
letter, and certain allusions in the letter that could be more fully
explained in a personal interview. Every item about Paul was of
intense interest to the Asian Churches. Many of the members had been
brought to Christ through his instrumentality. They were alarmed as
to his fate and as to the future of the Gospel. They were anxious to
know if there was any prospect of his release and of his return to
his missionary labours. Tychicus, enjoying the full confidence of the
apostle and the affection of the people, was just the man to give
them the information they so eagerly desired, and would be cordially
welcomed everywhere. The trusted messenger of a great and good man is
regarded for the time being with the reverence and respect cherished
towards the man he represents and of those whose affairs he is
empowered to speak.
+III. Competent to minister encouragement.+--"That he might comfort
your hearts" (ver. 22). Tychicus was not only a newsman and
letter-carrier, but also a minister of Christ. He knew how to present
his message so as to allay the fears of his hearers, to comfort their
hearts, and to encourage their faith in the power and triumph of the
Gospel, notwithstanding the sufferings of its preachers. The Gospel
is full of consolation, and it should be the constant aim of the
minister to make it known and apply it to the circumstances of his
people. A diligent pastor in his visitations comes in contact with
much suffering and sorrow, and has many opportunities of
administering the balm of Gospel comfort. Great tact and sympathy are
necessary, especially in visiting the sick. Referring to this, a
godly and experienced minister said, "Tenderness is essential. Enter
the chamber gently. Tread noiselessly. Get near to the sufferer.
Speak as softly as may be. Remember his nerves; noise is often
torture. Sympathise with his weakness, restlessness, and pain. True
you are not come to minister to his body; but enter into his
sufferings and symptoms. Ask what his doctor has said. Avoid a
professional, official, conventional air. The case may be too grave
for cheerful words; but if otherwise, let your face carry a little
sunshine into the sick-room. Avoid fussiness. Go with a brother's
heart. Be brief--brief in your talk, brief in your readings, brief in
your prayers--your whole visit brief. Take up one point. A sick man's
brain is soon overtasked, his nerves soon jar, his strength soon
fails. Let your good-by be 'God bless you.' Let your last look be one
of tenderness and love. Whatever you are in the pulpit, Barnabas, not
Boanerges, is your pattern by the sick-bed." It is the privilege and
mission of every minister and believer to be a messenger of comfort
and strength to those in trouble. We shall be remembered for our
kindness when many of our sermons are forgotten.
+Lessons.+--1. _The character of the good is self-evident._ 2. _A
good man should be trusted and honoured._ 3. _The value of a good man
is recognised in times of stress and difficulty._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._