ACC ~ Colossians 4 v7

PAUL’S STRATEGY. CHRYSOSTOM: Admirable! How great is the wisdom of Paul! Observe, he does not put everything into his epistles, but only things necessary and urgent. In the first place, he doesn’t want his letters to be unnecessarily long. Second, his messenger will be more respected if he too has something personal to relate. Third, in this way Paul demonstrates his affection for Tychicus; if he did not feel this way, he would not have entrusted him with the news of his affairs. In addition, there are some things that are best not mentioned in writing. HOMILIES ON COLOSSIANS 11.

THEODORET OF CYR: Paul would have been reluctant to send Onesimus to the Colossians on his own, since he was an escaped slave and thus perhaps offensive to them; thus Tychicus was more suitable for teaching and instruction. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS.

AMBROSIASTER: However much Paul insists that he is present with them in spirit and sees them, he nonetheless still makes use of a messenger for reporting. COMMENTARY ON THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS.

Col