Colossians 4:7-18

Personal Greetings - 4:7-18

(I did not try to add Luscombe's paraphrase to these verses.)

7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

Onesimus and Tychicus are the carriers of Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians. Tychicus was with Paul on his third journey. (Acts 20:4) He is also mentioned in Titus 3:12. Paul gives him three titles: 1) Beloved brother 2) Faithful minister 3) Fellow servant.

8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

Paul is sending him to deliver the letter, learn of how they are doing, and report to Paul.

Tychicus will comfort them. Letters are sometimes cold and harsh. Tychicus will take the edge off the letter and make sure it is received in the same spirit with which it was sent.

9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Onesmimus is a run away slave of Philemon. Now he is returning, still a slave, but also a brother in Christ. The letter to Philemon is being sent at the same time as the Colossian letter.

They will report on the condition of Paul and what is happening in other places.

10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

Aristarchus is not a cell mate. Paul is in a hired house under house arrest but allowed to have guests come and go. It appears that he is with Paul in sympathy and support.

Mark is the author of the the gospel of Mark. He is also called John Mark. Paul urges the church at Colosse to welcome him if he passes through Colosse.

11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

We do not know any thing about this man. He is mentioned nowhere else in the New Testament.

We know that he stands in good company with the ones mentioned above.

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Epaphras is a hard worker, laboring in the kingdom. He is a man of prayer. He is a fellow servant of Christ.

He is striving (literally - in pain) in prayer for the Colossians.

13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

Here is a man who cares about them, feels their pain. In fact the word "zeal" would be better translated as "in pain" for them. The churches in this region are his painful concern.

14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Luke is the author of the gospel of Luke, a medical doctor, and it would appear a companion of Demas. They are mentioned together. (Philemon 1:24)

Demas has a bad mention in 2 Timothy 4:10 must be put in perspective of the mention of him in Colossians and Philemon.

15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Paul now sends greetings to the church at Laodicea.

This church is included even though they received a letter of their own. Why? The answer is most likely found in the fact that most of the oldest manuscripts of Ephesians do not contain the name of Ephesus. The Ephesian letter, as we know it, was probably a provincial letter. It was intended to be passed around. Colossians was written at the same time and to the same territory. Paul had to deal with the heresy. This would explain the need for two letters which are so similar.

Nymphas is a sister who has a group of Christians meeting in her home.

16Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

All letters of Paul were intended to be copied, read, shared, distributed and exchanged.

17And say to Archippus, " Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. "

Paul urges Archippus to keep up the good work of ministry he is doing. Pay attention and keep up.

18This salutation by my own hand-Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul ends the letter with his own signature. Most letters were written by a scribe who would write what Paul would tell him. Often Paul would then add a closing comment.

Paul's final words: "REMEMBER MY BONDS."