2 Timothy 4:12

12. Tychicus… sent This verse is the strong proof adduced to show that Timothy was not at Ephesus when this epistle was written to him. To obviate the objection Alford would emphasize sent, and make Paul assure Timothy that Tychicus did not leave him voluntarily, but by command. And we may also suggest the query, How was it certain that in those days of uncertain travel he should arrive where he was sent? Or how should Paul be so sure that he had arrived as to make him omit the mention of the sending? Perhaps he might have written less concisely: “I sent Tychicus to fill your place at Ephesus, and hope you have seen him.” There are, indeed, many suppositions that would explain the case, but, from absence of documents, no one that we know to be the true one.