Teamwork
Pondering Colossians Chapter Four
Closing this study of Colossians does not mean we are through. Colossians is so rich and full of beautiful teachings about Christ and the Gospel that we will return to it time and again. Sometimes when reading one of Paul’s letters, it may be tempting to skip over the personal remarks at the end. But there we see how closely Paul felt to the ones who would make this letter effective and meaningful. This is a team effort - like all Kingdom work. Notice some of Paul’s teammates:
Tychicus
Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.—Colossians 4:7-8
We know very little about Tychicus, but his six mentions in the New Testament tell us that he was very involved in the growth of the Kingdom. A dependable worker whom Paul called “beloved brother” and “faithful helper”.
Onesimus
I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.—Colossians 4:9
Onesimus is mentioned here and in the little letter to Philemon. A traveling companion and helper to Tychicus, he was also a runaway slave who became a Christian. Paul’s letter to Philemon addressed this situation.
Aristarchus
Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings…—Colossians 4:10a
He is mentioned five times in the New Testament as a traveling companion of Paul. From this text, we know he was still in prison with Paul.
Mark
…and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. —Colossians 4:10b
We know more of John Mark’s story than many of these others. There is a hidden message of grace and redemption in this short mention. His abandonment of one of Paul’s earlier missions meant that he was no longer welcome. In Acts 13:13, we are only told, “There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.” After that, Paul did not want John Mark to come along. However, Barnabas worked with him, and he has now become valuable to Paul.
Justus and Other Co-Workers
Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!—Colossians 4:11
We do not know anything about Jesus (Justus) beyond this passage. He, along with others, is called “co-worker” and was among those who brought comfort to Paul.
Epaphras
Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. —Colossians 4:12-13
In Colossians 1:7, Epaphras is called, “…our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.” Here, Paul goes into a little more detail. Epaphras is evidently from Colossae. He is a prayerful man—praying earnestly for the church not only in Colossae, but in surrounding areas. What a wonderful thing to be known for. The NIV in Colossians 4:12b says, “He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” I like that word image…wrestling in prayer!
Luke and Demas
Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.’—Colossians 4:14
Even though Luke wrote a gospel and the book of Acts, he is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Here we are told that he is a doctor. In other passages we see him traveling with Paul. The famous “we” passages of the book of Acts indicate that he traveled with Paul at various times.
Demas is mentioned a few times as a coworker and traveling partner with Paul. However, 2 Timothy 4:10 has this sad note: “for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me…” This sad epitaph is not explained, and we are left to wonder what happened between these two brothers.
Nympha
Please give my greetings to our brothers and sistersat Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.—Colossians 4:15
We know nothing about Nympha except that the church meets in her house. Although church buildings are common among Christians today, they were unknown in the first century.
Archippus
After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”—Colossians 4:16-17
In Philemon, Archippus is called a “fellow soldier”. He was a worker in Colossae and Paul sent word to him to fulfill his ministry.
Paul
HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you. —Colossians 4:18
And so we end where we began - with Paul. He expresses one more desire for prayer. Prayer, for a prisoner, is a lifeline to God.
May God’s grace be with you. Yes, it is a common expression, but a powerful one. God’s grace is a beautiful expression of the way he loves us and saves us. A fitting end for a power-packed letter.
We visited a church one Sunday years ago, and the pastor preached from Colossians 4. He asked all of us: how would we have shown up? If one sentence were to describe us in the context of our local church community, what would be said??