Tychicus

1The noisy trouble in the city stopped. Then Paul sent for the followers of Jesus. He hugged them, said goodbye, and left for Macedonia.

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

NoteMacedonia was a land north of Greece. Paul had visited friends there before.

2He traveled through that area. He said many things to help the people stay strong. Then he came to Greece.

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3He stayed in Greece for three months. He was about to sail to Syria. But the Jews made a secret plan against him. So he chose to go back through Macedonia instead.

And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

NoteSyria was a land far to the east. People traveled that far by ship.

4Some men traveled with Paul toward Asia. Sopater from Berea went with him. So did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica. Gaius from Derbe and Timothy went too. Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia went as well.

And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

NoteAsia here does not mean the whole continent. It was one small area, in the country we now call Turkey.

5These men went on ahead of us. They waited for us in the city of Troas.

These going before tarried for us at Troas.

NoteThe man writing this book was traveling with Paul now. That is why he says we and us.

6We sailed from Philippi after a Jewish holiday called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Five days later we met the others in Troas. We stayed there seven days.

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

NoteUnleavened bread is bread with no yeast, so it stays flat. Jewish families ate it for a week every spring. It helped them remember leaving Egypt long ago.

21Tychicus will tell you everything about me and how I am doing. He is a dear brother and a faithful helper who serves the Lord.

But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

NoteTychicus was Paul's friend. He carried this letter to the church and told them the news out loud.

22That is why I am sending him to you. He will tell you how we are, and he will cheer up your hearts.

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give peace to the brothers and sisters. May they give love along with trust in God.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24May God be kind to everyone who loves our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that never dies. Amen.

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Note"Amen" is a word people say at the end of a prayer. It means "yes, let it be so."

7Tychicus will tell you all my news. He is a dear brother. He is a helper you can trust, and he serves the Lord with me.

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

NoteBrother here does not mean someone from your own family. Christians called each other brother and sister. Tychicus was the friend who carried this letter. There was no mail, so a person walked it to the church.

8That is why I am sending him to you. He can find out how you are doing. And he can cheer up your hearts.

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

9Onesimus is coming with him. He is a dear brother we can trust, and he is one of your own people. The two of them will tell you everything that is happening here.

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

NoteOnesimus came from Colossae, the town getting this letter. That is why Paul calls him one of your own people.

9Please try hard to come to me soon.

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10Demas loved this world more, so he left me. He went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus went to Dalmatia.

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

NoteThessalonica, Galatia, and Dalmatia were faraway places. There were no cars or planes. People walked or sailed in boats, and a trip could take weeks. Demas, Crescens, and Titus were friends who helped Paul teach.

11Only Luke is still here with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is a big help to me in my work.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

NoteLuke and Mark were friends who traveled with Paul. They helped him tell people about Jesus.

12I sent Tychicus to the city of Ephesus.

And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

NoteTychicus was another friend who helped Paul. He carried Paul's letters to churches in other towns. Ephesus was a big city by the sea.

13When you come, bring the coat I left at Troas with a man named Carpus. Bring my books too, and most of all the parchments.

The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

NoteThe coat was a big heavy cloak. People wore it in the day and slept under it at night, like a blanket. Paul was in a cold prison and wanted his back. Books then were not like ours. They were long rolls of paper called scrolls. Parchment was made from animal skin. It cost a lot and lasted much longer than paper.

12I will send Artemas or Tychicus to you. When he comes, hurry and meet me at Nicopolis. I have decided to spend the winter there.

When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

13Do all you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their trip. Make sure they have everything they need.

Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

14Our people must learn to do good too. They should help others who really need it. Then their lives will not be empty.

And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

15Everyone here with me says hello to you. Say hello to our friends who love us and believe. May God be kind to you all. Amen.

All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.