Colossians 4:11

and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been. comfort unto me.

'JESUS' -Was. common Jewish name, the N.T. equivalent of the O.T. 'Joshua'. This particular 'Jesus' is only mentioned here. 'This was his Jewish name (the Greek form of "Joshua" or "Jeshua")..and was common among Jews..until the second century A.D. when it disappeared as. proper name, no doubt because of the conflict between the synagogue and the Church.' (O'Brien p. 251)

'CALLED JUSTUS' -2459. Ioustos ee-ooce'-tos; of Latin origin ("just"); Justus, the name of three Christian: -Justus.

-'("just", "righteous") was frequently adopted by individual Jews, or conferred on them, as. Gentile (Latin) surname..' (P.P. Comm. p. 213)

-'Along with many other Jews who took. Hellenistic Roman name similar to their Hebrew or Aramaic name..' (O'Brien p. 251)

'WHO ARE OF THE CIRCUMCISION' -Aristarchus, Mark and Jesus/Justus are all Christians from. Jewish background.

'THESE ONLY ARE MY FELLOW-WORKERS' -i.e. of Christians from. Jewish background.

Point to Note:

Since Paul had other fellow-workers of. Jewish background (i.e. Barnabas); and other faithful Jewish Christians did exist (the other apostles, including Peter). Paul must be saying that these are presently the only Jewish Christians who are assisting him in his imprisonment. 'These three Jews were the only parties of their race who lent him any assistance for this purpose at Rome..' (Eadie p. 286)

'UNTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD' -Since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), we find that the kingdom of God was. present reality (Acts 28:30; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 1:9). This agrees with Jesus' statement that the kingdom would come within the lifetime of the apostles (Mark 9:1). And that when the "new birth" would be available, the kingdom would be in existence (John 3:5).

The Kingdom of God refers to the same relationship also known as the Church (Compare Acts 20:28; Revelation 1:5; Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:12).

The idea that the expression 'kingdom of God' refers to some millennial kingdom, or that the kingdom didn't actually come until 1914, doesn't find any support in the Scriptures.

'MEN THAT HAVE BEEN. COMFORT UNTO ME' -'I have found them. great comfort' (TCNT); 'but what. help they have been'.

'COMFORT' -3931. paregoria par-ay-gor-ee'-ah; from. compound of 3844 and. derivative of 58 (meaning to harangue an assembly); an address alongside, i.e. (specifically) consolation: -comfort.

-'means solace, relief.. medical term.' (Robertson p. 512) 'were used especially as medical terms, in the sense of "assuaging", "alleviating".' (Bruce p. 181)

Points to Note:

1. The Apostle Paul wasn't. superman. He was just like us, human. He wasn't made out of rubber and neither was he. stoic (2 Corinthians 11:28).

2. Paul faced many 'Jews', that were anything but. comfort. Sadly, even in the Church there were. number of Jewish Christians that tried to undermine Paul's work and influence (Galatians 2:1). Many of the congregations he had established were plagued by Judaizing teachers. Eadie notes, 'As the apostle of the Gentiles, and the zealous maintainer of the free and unconditional admission of men to the church, without any reference to the law, Paul was an object of bitter prejudice to many Christian Hebrews.' (p. 286)

3. In contrast, these men were. breath of fresh air. They had overcome prejudice, they realized that the Law of Moses was only temporary (Colossians 2:16; Galatians 3:24); and that physical circumcision wasn't necessary for salvation.

4. This verse should tell us that trouble-makers, false brethren, false teachers, etc..will always exist, even in the Church. Be determined, that you will be. "comfort" to the elders, the deacons, the preacher or your fellow member. Be determined that you will demonstrate in your life that the gospel can really change people--give someone. reason why they should keep on teaching and preaching.

5. It is so easy to get caught up in the numbers game. But what is more important that quantity is quality.

GREETINGS FROM GENTILE CHRISTIANS: