1

Attributes of Godly Soldiers

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also
may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you
may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers, and love with faith
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an
undying love.
Ephesians 6:21-24
What are attributes of godly soldiers?
It is no accident that Paul mentions Tychicus and himself right after teaching about spiritual warfare and the
armor of God. They are models of war-torn, decorated soldiers who we can learn much from. If we are
going to fight this spiritual war well, we must model godly soldiers like Tychicus and Paul.
Tychicus is briefly mentioned only five times in Scripture.1 His name actually means lucky.2 He was a
native of Asia and probably a convert from Pauls ministry in Ephesus. Many believe he was a fruit of
Pauls Ephesian ministry because he is first mentioned in Acts 20:4 at the end of Pauls missionary work
there.3 He was a companion of Paul on many of his missionary journeys. In Pauls second imprisonment,
he was sent to relieve Timothy as the pastor over Ephesus (2 Tim 4:12) and was probably similarly sent
to Crete to relieve Titus (Tit 3:12).
In this text, Paul sends Tychicus on a mission to complete two duties. He was supposed to deliver the
Ephesian letter (v. 21) and also the Colossian and Philemon letters (cf. Col 4:7-8). In addition, he was
called to inform the Ephesian church (and probably other Asian churches) of Pauls situation and to
encourage them (v. 22).
Since Tychicus was probably an Ephesian convert, the church would have known him well, even as
they knew Paul. These soldiers, no doubt, inspired the Ephesians to faithfully stand in the spiritual
war. In this final section of Ephesians, as we study these two men, we will consider attributes of godly
soldiersones worth modeling.
Big Question: What attributes of godly soldiers can we discern from Pauls description of Tychicus and his
benediction? How can we model these attributes in our spiritual lives?

Godly Soldiers Are Loving

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also
may know how I am and what I am doing.
1 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 262). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books.
2 Accessed 12/05/2015 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-63-caring-church-ephesians-621-24
3 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 262). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books.

2
Ephesians 6:21
Paul describes Tychicus in many different ways, but the first way is with the word dear or beloved. He
called him a dear brother. Certainly, this meant that Paul and the Ephesians loved Tychicus. However, it
also probably meant that his character was loving. Steve Coles insight on this is helpful. He said,
He could have called him just a brother, but he adds this word, beloved. It shows that Tychicus
was a warmly relational man. He wasnt cold and aloof. He wasnt brusque and insensitive. He
wasnt grumpy and difficult to be around. He was beloved. When Paul used that word to describe
Tychicus, everyone who knew him would have nodded and thought, Yes, he is a dear, loving
man. We love him dearly ourselves!
How would people describe you? Are you loving and relational? Do you take time to get to know people
in the church and do they know you? If not, that probably says more about you than the church.
A Christian soldier is not hardened like many veterans of our various wars; they are deeply loving and
relational. Hebrews 10:24-25 says this:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give
up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one anotherand all
the more as you see the Day approaching.
Godly soldiers are not only loving, but they also constantly seek to help others love as well. In fact, Jesus
said by this all people will know you are my disciple by the way you love one another (John 13:35).
Are you constantly considering how to stir others to love God and others more? Are you continually
gathering with the saints out of sincere love for them? This is the character of a godly soldiera beloved
brother or sister.
Application Question: How is God calling you to become more loving in your relationship with the body of
Christ? In what ways should we demonstrate this love?

Godly Soldiers Are Faithful

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also
may know how I am and what I am doing.
Ephesians 6:21
Paul also calls Tychicus a faithful servant. This is the same way he described him in Colossians 4:7. He
said, Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow
servant in the Lord. This repetition emphasizes how faithful Tychicus really was.
Interpretation Question: What does the term faithfulness mean? How was this represented in Tychicus
character and how should we model it?
1. Faithfulness means being honest.

Tychicus was a man whose yes meant yes and his no meant no (cf. James 5:12). People could count on
him. This is why Paul constantly called for him to relieve other pastors in ministry. He relieved Timothy
at Ephesus and probably Titus at Crete. He also was entrusted with carrying the Scriptures to various
churches.
Can people trust you? Is your yes, yes, and your no, no? Are you honest? Godly soldiers are honest.
2. Faithfulness means he faithfully used his gifts to serve God and others.
No doubt, he had the gifts of helpswherever there was a need, he was willing to lend a helping hand.
He probably had the gift of teaching, as he relieved pastors and probably the gift of encouragement, as
he was sent to encourage the Ephesians. He was not one of those Christians who are content sitting on
the bench and not getting in the game (cf. Matt 25:24-28). He was using every ounce of his person to
serve Christ and faithfully use his gifts.
Paul said this to Timothy, in 2 Timothy 1:6, For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands. We each have a responsibility to find our spiritual
gifts and to cultivate them to their maximum potential. Is your gift serving? Serve. Is it teaching? Teach.
Is it evangelism? Evangelize.
Are you faithfully using your gifts? When Christ returns, he will reward those who faithfully used their gifts
(Matt 25:21).
3. Faithfulness means having a willingness to persevere through difficulties.
Faithfulness also means that Tychicus was a man who did not easily give up. Again, Tyichicus was a
companion of Paul on his missionary journeys. He was with Paul while imprisoned in Rome, even though
that might have meant his imprisonment and death. He was also with Paul in his second imprisonment,
when Paul sent him to relieve Timothy (2 Tim 4:12). He was the kind of friend who would be right next
to you while sick, going through bankruptcy, a divorce, or even death.
In fact, not only was he beside Paul, but, no doubt, he often suffered with Paul, simply by association.
When Paul describes all his difficulties in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, as he was shipwrecked, stoned, beaten,
sleepless, hungry, etc., much of that also happened to Tychicus. He faithfully persevered through many
difficulties while serving Christ and others.
For many Christians, at the first sign of trouble they want to quit. They got in a fight with their small
group leader, their pastor hurt them, or the music director changed the worship music so they quickly
left their church or ministry. These Christians are not faithfulthey dont persevere. No doubt, Tyichicus
experienced all this (and some) and yet faithfully persevered.
Are you faithful when encountering difficulties or do you want to quit?
Here is a great illustration that demonstrates the importance of faithfulness:

4
"In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being
a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a
contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery.
"Your Majesty,' said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of
obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king."
"I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you."
"Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in
the place where God has put you."
When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The king learned to rule by being obedient."
When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain
place and told us to be a good accountant or teacher or mother or father. Christ expects us to be
faithful where he puts us, and when he returns, we'll rule together with him." 4
Godly soldiers are faithfulthey are trustworthy, they use their gifts, and they persevere through difficulties.
How about you?
Application Question: In what ways is God calling you to grow in faithfulness? How is he calling you to
persevere in your current situation? What gifts is he calling you to cultivate and use? Are there any current
challenges to your integrity?

Godly Soldiers Are Servants

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also
may know how I am and what I am doing.
Ephesians 6:21
Paul also describes Tychicus as a servant. Godly soldiers faithfully serve Christ and others. It has been
said that in every church there are two types of people. One type thinks, Here I am church! Meet my
needs! They often leave the church disheartened because the church failed them in some way. The
second type asks, How can I serve this church? What are the needs and how can I meet them? Like
Christ, they didnt come to be served but to serve others (Mk 10:45). 5
What type are you?
Again Tychicus did menial tasks like carrying three letters to various churches. Many pastors would
say, I didnt go to seminary for this! Somebody else can do it! However, Tychicus was willing to serve by
performing small tasks and also big tasks like pastoring a church when Titus or Timothy werent
around.
I think that marks a servantthey essentially say, What is the need? Ill do my best to meet it or find
someone who can? And one day, Christ will say to them, Well done, good and faithful servant! You
4 Teacher's Outline and Study Bible - Commentary - Teacher's Outline and Study Bible Ephesians: The
Teacher's Outline and Study Bible.
5 Accessed 12/06/2015 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-63-caring-church-ephesians-621-24

5
have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's
happiness! (Matt 25:21).
Are you a servant? Godly soldiers serve God and others.
Application Question: What are some other characteristics of good servants? How is God calling you to
grow in servant-hood?

Godly Soldiers Are Encouragers

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may
encourage you.
Ephesians 6:22
The last characteristic we can discern about Tychicus is that he was an encourager. Paul sent him to
Ephesus to encourage the saints. Again, Tychicus was with Paul during his imprisonmentkeeping him
company, serving him, and encouraging him when he was discouraged. No doubt, Paul knew by
experience that Tychicus would be very helpful at encouraging the Ephesians. They were probably
discouraged by Pauls sufferings (cf. Eph 3:13) and the persecution happening to them and the church
world-wide. Tychicus would come and encourage them.
Application Question: How would Tychicus encourage them? How can we encourage others when they are
discouraged or going through trials?
1. We encourage others by coming alongside them.
Encourage is the Greek word parakaleo, which means to come alongside for help.6 It is related to the
word Christ used for the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The Holy Spirit is our paracleteour counselor, our
advocate, and our helper.
If we are going to encourage others, the first step is simply coming beside them. Often we are afraid of
what to say or do when somebody is hurting or strugglingtherefore, many times we say and do
nothing. The first and most important step in encouraging others is to simply come alongside them.
When Jobs friends came to be with Job and just sat in silence with him while he mourned (cf. Job
2:11-13)they did well. The first step in encouraging somebody is simply being there for them.
How else should we encourage others?
2. We encourage others by listening to them.
3. We encourage others by praying for them
4. We encourage others by sharing Gods Word with them.
Application Question: Share a time God used somebody to really encourage you. How did God use them?
6 Accessed 12/05/2015 from https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-63-caring-church-ephesians-621-24

Godly Soldiers Are Disciplers

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to
all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Ephesians 6:23-24
It was the custom for correspondents in the ancient world to end their letters with a wish for the
readers health and happiness. They typically invoked the name of the gods. Paul doesnt abandon this
tradition, but he Christianizes it. Instead of a wish, he gives a benedictiona prayer for blessing. 7
However, this benediction is more than just a benedictionit is a summary of many of the rich
themes in the epistle.8 He prays that God would enable them to internalize these truths. He wanted the
Ephesians to look more like Christ. Even at the end of the epistle, Paul is concerned with their
discipleship.
And this is true for every godly soldierone of their primary focuses in life is helping others know and
look more like Christ. Again, as we look at the blessings, they demonstrate the major truths in Ephesians.
Observation Question: What blessings does Paul pray for the Ephesians and how are they demonstrated
throughout the book?
1. Paul prays for Ephesians to have peace.
This, no doubt, pictures the believers peace with God but also peace with one another. This was a
primary theme throughout the book of Ephesians and especially in chapter 2. Paul teaches how Christ
made the Jew and Gentile one by breaking the dividing wall of the law to unite them and becoming
their peace (cf. Eph 2:14-17).
Paul prays that the Ephesians would not be divided by race, ethnicity, or tradition but that they would
truly be one in Christ. This should be true of our lives and the church as well.
Are you walking in peace with others?
2. Paul prays for the Ephesians to have love.
In Ephesians 1:15, Paul declares how he heard about the Ephesians love for all the saints. Its one thing
to love some saints, but to love all the saints is special. Though they already excel in love, he calls for
them to imitate God and further live a life of love just as Christ loved and died for us in Ephesians
5:1-2.
Are you loving others sacrificially?
3. Paul prays for the Ephesians to have faith.
7 Stott, J. R. W. (1979). Gods new society: the message of Ephesians (pp. 289290). Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press.
8 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1986). Ephesians (p. 385). Chicago: Moody Press.

This word is used seven other times in this small epistle.9 Paul wants them to develop a deeper trust in
God regardless of their circumstances and also to trust in Gods Wordbelieving his promises. Kent
Hughes paraphrased the aspect of faith in Pauls benediction this way, Ease back and rest on what you
believe. Put your whole weight on it.10
Are you trusting God and his Word more? Are you putting all your weight on Christ in every circumstance?
First Peter 5:7 says, Cast your cares upon the Lord for he cares for you.
4. Paul prays for the Ephesians to have grace.
This is the twelfth occurrence of the word grace in the letter.11 It is given in the introduction of the letter
(cf. Eph 1:2, 6) and now in the closing. It is talked about throughout the letter. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For it
is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by
works, so that no one can boast.
However, we are not just saved by grace. John 1:16 says this about our relationship with Christ: For from
his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace (ESV). God continually pours grace on the
believers life, especially as we are obedient to himgrace upon their marriage, their family, their
church, their work. This should be our hope and prayer for all who call on the name of Christgrace
upon graceunmerited favor upon unmerited favor. James 4:6 says, he gives us more grace.
Are you daily seeking his renewed grace?
Godly soldiers are continually seeking the spiritual maturity of others. They desire the lives of others to be
full of peace, love, faith, and grace.
Application Question: Why is discipleship so important? What spiritual leaders have most affected your
spiritual life in a positive manner? Who has God called you to disciple?

Godly Soldiers Are Intercessors

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to
all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Ephesians 6:23-24
Not only can we see Pauls heart for discipleship in his benediction but also his focus on prayer. In
Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul had just described the need to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all types
of prayer, and what he has taught, he practiced. He prayed for the Ephesians in chapter 1 and 3, and
9 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 266). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books.
10 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 266). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books.
11 Hughes, R. K. (1990). Ephesians: the mystery of the body of Christ (p. 266). Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books.

8
now again in closing. He prays for peace, love, faith and grace over the church. This is the practice of all
godly soldiersthey are faithful intercessors.
Where regular soldiers put confidence in their strength, training, and knowledge, godly soldiers
understand they are unequipped even for mundane tasksonly Gods grace and strength will do.
Therefore, they are constant in prayer.
Are you praying and interceding for others in this battle? Ezekiel 22:30-31 says,
I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on
behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on
them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done,
declares the Sovereign LORD.
God seeks those who will faithfully intercede for others in order to preserve people from destruction and
lead them into blessing. Isaiah 62:6-7 says,
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You
who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.
Brothers and sisters, give our Lord no rest as you intercede for kings, presidents, businessmen,
wives, mothers, children, nations, communities, and churches. Give him no rest until he makes our
world fully his own. This is the heart and practice of godly soldierslike Paul they are intercessors.
Application Question: How would you rate your prayer life 1-10 and why? What are some good practices to
help us grow in intercession?

Conclusion
What are attributes of godly soldiersones worth modelingas revealed in Tychicus and Paul?
1. Godly Soldiers Are Loving
2. Godly Soldiers Are Faithful
3. Godly Soldiers Are Servants
4. Godly Soldiers Are Disciplers
5. Godly Soldiers Are Intercessors