Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),

'ARISTARCHUS' -708. Aristarchos ar-is'-tar-khos; from the same as 712 and 757; best ruling; Aristarchus,. Macedonian: -Aristarchus.

-'air ihs TAR kus) (the best ruler).

From the New Testament we learn: (1) He was. Christian from city of Thessalonica (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4). (2) We first find him with Paul on Paul's third journey (Acts 19:29). He was also one of the messengers selected to accompany Paul with the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). (3) He accompanied Paul on his journey to Rome (Acts 27:2).

'MY FELLOW-PRISONER' -'He had been much in Paul's society--was with him during the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:29)..was with him too when he sailed for Italy, in order to follow out his appeal to Caesar, and seems to have remained with him in Rome.' (Eadie p. 282) We should note that there appears to have been no charge against Aristarchus, hence his sharing Paul's imprisonment was voluntary. Some writers suggest that Paul's friends shared in his confinement by turns. 'These men may well have volunteered to share Paul's imprisonment, assisting him in every possible way.' (Hendriksen p. 187) This would be an application of what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 25:39.

The expression 'my fellow-prisoner', literally means, 'my fellow-prisoner of war' (O'Brien p. 249).

'MARK' -This is evidently the John Mark, who is mentioned in the Book of Acts. The New Testament reveals that: (1) His mother's name was Mary (Acts 12:12), and apparently he was from Jerusalem. (2) He had accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:5), and had left them at Pamphylia (Colossians 13:13). This departure later became. sore spot between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37), when they were choosing companions for the Second Missionary Journey. Paul selected Silas and returned overland to Asia Minor and Greece, and Barnabas took Mark and returned to Cyprus (Acts 15:39). This break had occurred around 49-50 A.D. Hence, we haven't heard about Mark for some 13 years. All the references to Mark after this break are very positive. In fact, one of the specific individuals that Paul requests during his final imprisonment, is Mark (2 Timothy 4:11). And at that time Paul says of him, 'for he is useful to me for service.'. From the epistle of. Peter, we also learn that Mark was. co-worker with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). And the language suggests ('my son'), that Peter might have personally converted Mark.

'THE COUSIN OF' -'Cousin' is correct and not nephew. The KJV says, 'sister's son'. Bruce notes that the word means "first cousin" (p. 179)

'BARNABAS' -921. Barnabas bar-nab'-as; of Aramaic origin [1247 and 5029]; son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite: -Barnabas.

Points to Note:

1. This seems to suggest that the name of Barnabas was familiar with these Christians, i.e. he might have worked in this region or his name was famous in Christian circles.

2. Here is. great word of encouragement to all Christians. Two Christians can disagree strongly over an area of opinion (i.e. should Mark have. second chance or not, was he dependable or not, were his reasons for leaving sincere or not, etc...), and still remain close friends. The story of Mark, is. story in which all the parties involved benefited in the end. Mark has proven himself dependable, and all three men are close friends and co-workers. Sadly, in the Church, it too often happens that brethren disagree strongly over an area of opinion, and never speak to each other again.

3. Mark is. problem for the advocates of the New Hermeneutic. For this writer of. gospel, taught the exact same thing as the writers of the epistles (i.e. Peter and Paul).

4. We don't know exactly why Mark left Paul and Barnabas on the first journey. But if it was indeed. sign of weakness, then here we learn that there was hope for those who have fallen into the sins of disloyalty and cowardice.

5. It is refreshing to see that the early church gave members who made mistakes,. chance to redeem themselves.

'TOUCHING WHOM YE RECEIVED COMMANDMENTS' -The 'whom' refers back to Mark, and not Barnabas.

'COMMANDMENTS' -1785. entole en-tol-ay'; from 1781; injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription: -commandment, precept.

'IF HE COME UNTO YOU, RECEIVE HIM' -Indicating that Mark might be headed for Colossae. Some five years later Timothy (in Ephesus) will be exhorted to bring Mark with him to Rome (2 Timothy 4:11).

Points to Note:

1. Paul always tried to do everything he could to ensure unity among God's people. Just in case any in Colossae had heard about Mark's failure, Paul completely endorses him.

2. We don't know anything about what commands or when such commands were delivered to the Colossians by Mark.

3. From the First Epistle of Peter (which was written to churches in Asia Minor-Colossians 1:1); we learn that Mark did have an attachment to congregations in this area (1 Peter 5:13). Mark may have previously preached in this region.