Chapter Nineteen
Colossians 4:7-18 Greet and Be Greeted
When closing an epistle, Paul often took the opportunity to greet fellow workers and friends at the churches he was writing to. In the remaining verses, we will encounter some well-known names and some not-so-well-known. Some of these names may be difficult to pronounce, so I will provide a pronunciation key in parenthesis when we first encounter the name. Warning, some names may cause twisted-tongue syndrome!
4:7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
The first name we encounter is Tychious (too·khee·kos), he is first mentioned in Acts 20:4 (see also Romans 6:21-22 and 2 Timothy 4:12), Paul may have used him as a temporary replacement for Titus as a leader for the church on the island of Crete (see Titus 3:12). Apparently, Paul sent him along with this letter to inform the church and other readers about all of Paul’s adventures, especially the last two years since his arrest (several attempts on his life, various trials and of course, writing epistles). He would have been well received since he was a beloved brother and faithful minister for the Lord. Paul also called him a fellow servant, someone they could find comfort and receive encouragement from. However, he was not alone as Paul also sent Onesimus (on·ay·sim·os) to go with him.
They would have been aware of Onesimus, even though he would have been from that area, his presence may not have been one of welcome, if it wasn’t for Paul’s endorsement. Onesimus was once a slave, he was a slave to Philemon when he was a leader at the church in Colossae, until he ran away. In his epistle to Philemon we read that Paul was essentially asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus for defrauding him and running away. He wasn’t asking for him to grant him freedom, but to consider and handle the issue as if he was a fellow believer.
4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
Paul also relayed a greeting from Aristarchus (ar·is·tar·khos) who apparently was also incarcerated at the time. Like many Jewish believers that were forced to leave Jerusalem, due to increasing hostilities, Aristarchus took a Greek name. We first encounter his name in Acts 19:29 when he was dragged by the citizens of Ephesus to appear before an angry crowd because they could not find Paul (see also Acts 20:4; 27:2 and Philemon 24).
The next person Paul lists is Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, who he states, may be visiting soon, but Paul quickly adds that they have or will have soon special instructions for them to welcome him. The people of the church at Colossae undoubtedly heard about how Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (see Acts 13:13) and then later was the subject of a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas prior to the beginning of their second missionary journey (see Acts 15:37-39). However, Paul’s desire for them to welcome him matches what we read in Paul’s epistle to Philemon when Paul referred to Mark as a fellow worker (see Philemon 24).
4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
The next name may require some explanation, have you ever worked for some company that had several employees with the same name? Could get confusing, couldn’t it? Well, if there were others named Jesus in your ministry for Jesus, it could be confusing for some as well. So, undoubtedly to minimize confusion, one person named Jesus (meaning ‘Savior’) went by the name of Justus (meaning ‘righteous’). However, we know nothing more about him. Paul then points out that these are the only Jews (men of the circumcision) that were part of his ministry. Even though they brought great comfort for Paul, not having more Jews involved must have grieved him tremendously (see Philemon 7).
4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
The next name is someone Paul had already introduced us to in chapter one, Epaphras (ep·af·ras, see Colossians 1:7), the individual who probably founded the church. Paul relays his greeting as well. Paul then informs them that Epaphras continually struggles (Greek word ‘agōnizomai’, which is the same word we get the English word ‘agonize’ from) on their behalf in prayer so that they might stand mature (Greek word ‘telios’, means something is complete or finished, it is also often translated as ‘perfect’ as we saw in Colossians 1:22; see also Matthew 5:48 and James 1:4) and Epaphras was fully assured (had no doubt) regarding the will of God. As a fellow brother and previous leader of the church, Epaphras strongly desired for the people at the church in Colossae to be mature and know God (see Ephesians 4:13-14). Paul then notes that he bears witness to Epaphras’ hard work for them as well as those in nearby communities of Laodicea (to the west) and Hierapolis (to the north).
4:14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
We all know the next name, or at least you should, as he wrote one of the gospel accounts and the book of Acts, namely Luke. He is the only non-Jew (Gentile) New Testament author. Paul tells us that he was a physician, but other than that we only know of his past through the early commentators and Christian authors such as Eusebius and Jerome. The next name Paul refers to is Demas (day·mas), unfortunately he will eventually leave Paul and the Lord, being in love, “with this present world,” (see 2 Timothy 4:9-10).
4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Paul now asks them to convey greetings to the believers in Laodicea and to Nympha (noom·fas). We do not know anything else about Nympha as this is the only reference in the Bible, but apparently, she allowed the church to meet at her house. Remember, church buildings as we know them today did not exist until several hundred years later, people generally met in public places, synagogues or homes.
4:16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Paul also requested that this epistle be read among them and to the church at Laodicea, who had a separate letter that he also requested be read. Paul’s letter to the church in Laodicea is apparently lost, many believe Paul is actually referring to his epistle to the Ephesians, as they believe that letter was meant to circulate, but that is unlikely.
4:17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Just before closing his epistle to the church in Colossae, Paul further requests that they convey a special message to Archippus (ar·khip·pos), who is only mentioned here and in Philemon 2. Paul says to him, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” While some may think that is a vague message, it is a powerful blessing and strong words of encouragement from Paul. Something we can embrace as well, as we remember that we all have a ministry that we have received from Jesus for service in Him!
4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul closes by saying he wrote this greeting in his own hand, just like a handwritten signature does for modern letters today, Paul uses his own writing (letters were often written by others, some were even professional letter writers trained in a form of dictation), to show authenticity (see also 1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; Philemon 19). He then goes on to ask them to remember his chains (see Colossians 4:3; Philippians 1:7; see also Hebrews 13:3)
Paul concludes with the familiar phrase, “Grace be with you.” (see Romans 16:24; 1 Corinthians 16:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15) Salvation is ours by grace, which is only available to us through faith in the all-sufficient Jesus Christ, there is no other source.