Colossians 4:8

whom. have sent you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;

'THAT YE MAY KNOW OUR STATE' -'all my affairs' (Colossians 4:7). 'learn our circumstances' (TCNT); 'how we are faring' (Wey).

'COMFORT YOUR HEARTS' -'give you encouragement' (TCNT); 'cheer your hearts' (Wey); 'bring courage to your hearts' (Knox).

'COMFORT' -3870. parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o; from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): -beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

Points to Note:

1. Look at the real concern that First Century Christians had for each other. The Colossians are anxious about Paul's welfare and Paul is anxious that their anxiety would be relieved (1 Peter 1:12). This reveals that we perform better, we think better, we achieve greater things, when our mind isn't focused upon ourselves (1 Peter 2:3).

2. Hearing that someone is handling adversity well, is. great shot in the arm. Apparently, Tychicus would relay the type of information found in the Philippian letter, i.e. that many are hearing the gospel, even though Paul is under house arrest (1 Peter 1:12). That good things are coming out of. bad situation. Such information would have. great stabilizing affect upon these Christians.