With a Little Help  from My Friends (4:7-18)

16

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. And when this letteris read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. (4:7-18)

As Paul closes Colossians, he encloses with his letter a verbal group photograph. He includes in it a number of those who helped him in his ministry while he was imprisoned at Rome. He gives recognition to some of the unsung heroes of the New Testament, and by so doing uses them as an encouragement to those who read this letter. This section adds a warm, personal touch to what has been largely a doctrinal letter. It is similar to the personals he adds in chapter 16 of Romans. That many of those mentioned had stuck with Paul for years indicates the tremendous loyalty he inspired.

To Paul, these people were indispensable assets to his ministry. He knew well that he could not do it alone; no one can. God’s leaders have always depended on others to support them in their work. Exodus 17:8-13 illustrates that truth:

With help from Aaron and Hur, Moses was able to lead Israel to a great victory.

Moses, like the apostle Paul, recognized that he could not carry out his ministry alone. On another occasion, fed up with the grumbling of the Israelites, he cried out to God,

The Lord answered by giving him some help:

With their support, Moses was enabled by God to accomplish things he could never have accomplished alone.

Leaders are made more effective by those who help them. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 adds, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”

Paul never ministered alone. He shared his first leadership opportunity in the church at Antioch with four other men, and throughout the following years of his missionary travels, he always had companions. The only time we find him alone in Acts is for a brief period in Athens (Acts 17). Although he is a prisoner as he writes Colossians, he still is not alone. The eight men he names are not all well-known figures. Each was, however, a special person to Paul. And each was willing to pay the price of associating with a prisoner. In this passage we meet the man with a servant’s heart, the man with a sinful past, the man with a sympathetic heart, the man with a surprising future, the man with a strong commitment, the man with a single passion, the man with a specialized talent, and the man with a sad future.

THE MAN WITH A SERVANT’S HEART

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; (4:7-8)

Tychicus means “fortuitous,” or “fortunate.” Indeed, he was fortunate to have ministered with Paul for so many years. He is mentioned five times in the New Testament. Although the references are brief, they give us a rich profile of the man.

We first meet Tychicus in Acts 20:4. Paul was in Ephesus near the end of his third missionary journey. He planned to return to Jerusalem via Macedonia, where he intended to collect an offering. With the offerings from Galatia and Achaia, he would present it to the needy believers at Jerusalem (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-9). By so doing, he hoped to cement the bond between the predominantly Gentile churches outside of Palestine, and the predominantly Jewish church at Jerusalem. He also planned to take some Gentile believers from Greece and Asia Minor as representatives of their churches to the Jerusalem church. Among them was Tychicus.

Tychicus’s willingness to travel with Paul to Jerusalem shows his servant’s heart. Such a journey was not to be undertaken lightly. Travel in the ancient world was far more difficult and dangerous than in our day. The trip to Jerusalem would be very arduous, and it would take Tychicus away from his family, friends, and church for a long time. Along the way, Paul was repeatedly warned that trouble awaited him in Jerusalem. Although Tychicus must certainly have heard those warnings, he remained with Paul.

As Paul wrote Colossians, it had been more than two years since his arrest at Jerusalem. Since then he had survived a plot by the Jewish leaders to murder him, trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, and a harrowing voyage to Rome. Tychicus may have been with Paul through that entire time. He definitely was with him during his imprisonment at Rome. After Paul’s release, Tychicus remained with him. When Paul needed a temporary replacement for Titus as pastor of the church on Crete, Tychicus was one of the ones considered (Titus 3:12). Tychicus, who had begun as a messenger, was now a candidate to fill in for as great a man as Titus.

At the very end of Paul’s life, during his second Roman imprisonment, Tychicus was still with him. Facing imminent execution, Paul desired to see Timothy one last time. Because Timothy could not leave his congregation at Ephesus without a replacement, Paul sent Tychicus (2 Tim. 4:12). Once again, Tychicus’s name comes up as a replacement for one of Paul’s prominent associates. That speaks highly of his character.

The writing of Colossians finds Tychicus in Rome with Paul during his first imprisonment. By this time about four years have passed since Tychicus joined Paul in Ephesus. Because he is a man of proven loyalty, Paul has an important task for him: He is to deliver the letter to the Colossians. Not only does he carry Colossians, but Ephesians (cf. Eph. 6:21) and probably Philemon as well (cf. 4:9). The trip from Rome to Colossae was a difficult one. Tychicus would first have to cross much of Italy on foot, then sail across the Adriatic Sea. After traversing Greece on foot, he would sail across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Asia Minor. After all that, he still faced a journey of nearly one hundred miles on foot to reach Colossae. That he was entrusted with delivering three inspired books of Scripture once again indicates Paul’s trust in him.

Not only will Tychicus deliver the letter of Colossians, he will also bring the Colossians information about Paul’s affairs and update them on his circumstances. That would include bringing them information on Paul’s health, his hopes, and his future prospects. He would also encourage their hearts by adding a personal word of encouragement to what was written in the letter and answering their queries about Paul’s condition.

Paul next lists three credentials Tychicus possessed that qualified him to act as Paul’s personal envoy. First, he was a beloved brother in the Lord. That Paul calls him a brother shows he was one of the family of believers. His personal character had earned him the designation beloved from no less than the apostle Paul himself. Second, Paul describes him as a faithful servant. He never achieved prominence, but he served in an important capacity as Paul’s liaison to the churches. He was a faithful steward of his ministry—the highest commendation Paul could give (cf. 1 Cor. 4:2). Finally, Paul calls him a fellow bondservant in the Lord. He was a diakonos (servant) in relationship to Paul, but a sundoulos (fellow bond-servant) with Paul in relationship to the Lord.

THE MAN WITH A SINFUL PAST

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. (4:9)

Onesimus, the man with the sinful past, is the runaway slave whose return to his master was the occasion for the book of Philemon. Philemon was one of the leaders of the Colossian church, and it is likely that the church met in his home. Onesimus had been a slave in Philemon’s household until he ran away and made his way to Rome. There he met the apostle Paul, who led him to Christ. Now he was returning to Colossae and his master. Paul wrote to urge Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away and defrauding him and to welcome Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Although Onesimus was a runaway slave, Paul describes him as our faithful and beloved brother. When a person comes to faith in Christ, the past is no longer an issue. “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Onesimus was a testimony to the power of God to transform a life. Paul tells the Colossians that the man who left Colossae as a runaway slave now returns as one of your number. He was to be treated as a member of the church, because in Christ there was neither slave nor freeman (Gal. 3:28). Paul shows his regard for him by having him, along with Tychicus, inform the Colossians about Paul’s whole situation. More detailed information about Onesimus is presented in my commentary on Philemon.

THE MAN WITH A SYMPATHETIC HEART

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; (4:10a)

Aristarchus was a Jewish believer (cf. 4:11), though like many Jews of the Diaspora, he had a Greek name. He was a native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4; 27:2). Aristarchus first appeared during Paul’s three-year ministry at Ephesus. He was seized by the rioting mob, who recognized him as one of Paul’s companions (Acts 19:29). He accompanied Paul on his return trip to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4), and on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:4). It is possible he stayed with Paul throughout his imprisonment in Palestine as well. As Paul writes Colossians, Aristarchus is still beside the apostle.

Fellow prisoner is from aichmalōtos, which literally means “one caught with a spear.” It refers to war captives, or prisoners. It is unlikely that Aristarchus was actually a prisoner; Paul refers to him as such because he shared Paul’s prison existence. That he chose to make Paul’s lifestyle his own speaks of his sympathetic, caring heart. He gave up his own freedom to minister to Paul’s needs. Any leader would be enriched to have a faithful Aristarchus at his side through all his trials. The Lord’s work would not be done if it were not for people like Aristarchus, who humbly bear hardships without the fame of those they serve.

THE MAN WITH A SURPRISING FUTURE

and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him); (4:10b)

John Mark had a very different career in the ministry than either Tychicus or Aristarchus. A companion of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5), he deserted them when the going got tough. Acts 13:13 relates the story: “Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John left them and returned to Jerusalem.” Mark’s desertion was later to become a source of friction between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin along on the second missionary journey, but Paul, not trusting Mark to be loyal, refused. That led to such a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that they separated from each other (Acts 15:37-39).

Fortunately, the story does not end there. By the time Paul wrote Colossians, Mark had become a changed man. He had been restored to usefulness, probably through the ministry of Peter (himself no stranger to failure) in his life (cf. 1 Pet. 5:13). In Philemon 24, Paul names him among his fellow workers. The man whom Paul once rejected became one of his greatest helpers. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul tells Timothy to “pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”

Paul told the Colossians that if Mark came to them, they were to obey their instructions (which may have come from Paul, Peter, or Barnabas) and welcome him. They were not to shun him because of his previous failure.

We might also call Mark the man with a second chance. His life was a testimony to God’s ability to use failures. In fact, he later received a privilege shared by only three other men in history: writing one of the gospels.

THE MAN WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT

and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. (4:11)

Nothing is known of Jesus who is called Justus apart from this verse. It is possible that he was one of the Roman Jews who believed Paul’s message (Acts 28:24). Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “savior.” That certainly was a difficult name to live up to, but his Latin surname, Justus (“righteous”), indicates that he in some measure did. Jesus Justus, Mark, and Aristarchus were Paul’s only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision. The lack of response from his fellow Jews must have grieved Paul’s heart. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem rejected his message, plotted to kill him, and denounced him to the Roman authorities. Much of the opposition he received on his missionary journeys was from his fellow countrymen (cf. 2 Cor. 11:26). Even those who believed his message (cf. Acts 28:24) apparently did not commit themselves to him. (Many Gentiles who appeared to receive his message soon deserted him, according to 2 Tim. 1:15.) Only these three proved to be an encouragement to him. Parēgoria (encouragement) appears only here in the New Testament. It could also be translated “comfort.” Jesus Justus, along with Aristarchus and Mark, was a source of comfort and encouragement to Paul.

That Jesus Justus was willing to leave his people to identify with Paul demonstrates his strong commitment. He was willing to take a stand alongside Paul for Jesus Christ no matter what the cost.

THE MAN WITH A SINGLE PASSION

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (4:12-13)

As noted in the introduction, Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church, and he most likely was its current pastor. He had journeyed to Rome bringing Paul news of the dangerous heresy threatening the churches of the Lycus Valley. Like Tychicus, and Paul himself, Epaphras is designated a doulos (bondslave) of Jesus Christ. Because he was one of their number, he sends along his greetings.

Although separated from them, Epaphras still ministered to the Lycus Valley churches. He did so by always laboring earnestly for them in his prayers. Laboring earnestly is from agōnizomai, from which our English word agonize is derived. It is used in 1 Corinthians 9:25 to speak of the grueling competition endured by athletes in the games. In John 18:36 it is translated, “fight.” Related words appear in Romans 15:30, to speak of fighting in prayer, and Luke 22:44, in reference to Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane. Epaphras was a living example of Paul’s command to the Colossians in 4:2 to “devote yourselves to prayer.”

The goal of Epaphras’s prayers was that the Colossians stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Perfect is from teleios and means “complete,” “mature,” or “fully developed.” Fully assured is from plērophoreō and could be translated, “persuaded,” or “satisfied fully.” Epaphras, like Paul (cf. 2:2 where a related word is used) wanted the Colossians to be mature and satisfied in all the will of God. Only those who live in obedience to God’s will can grow to the fullness of Christ and be content (cf. Eph. 4:13-14).

Having observed Epaphras firsthand, Paul could bear witness to his deep concern for the Colossians, and those at nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis. His fervent, agonizing prayers and his single-minded passion for his people’s maturity, must have greatly encouraged Paul and his other co-workers.

THE MAN WITH A SPECIALIZED TALENT

Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, (4:14a)

Luke was Paul’s personal physician, as well as his close friend. He was a Gentile believer (cf. 4:11) who traveled frequently with Paul on his missionary voyages. It may, in fact, have been Paul’s recurring illnesses on the first missionary journey that prompted him to take Luke along on the second. Like Paul, he was an educated, cultured man, as evidenced by the literary quality of his Greek in his gospel and the book of Acts. His conversations with Paul were undoubtedly stimulating.

Luke is mentioned by name only two other times in the New Testament. All three times his name appears, it does so in Paul’s writings from prison (cf. Philem. 24; 2 Tim. 4:11). After joining Paul on his second missionary journey, he was with him for most of the remainder of Paul’s life.

Nothing definite is known about Luke’s background. According to the church Fathers Eusebius and Jerome, he was born in Syrian Antioch. Some have speculated that he was Titus’s brother, that he knew Paul when Paul was a student at Tarsus, and that he was a freed slave from the household of Theophilus (mentioned in the prologue to Acts). Those speculations, however, cannot be proved.

Luke was the prototype of the medical missionary. Not everyone in the Lord’s service has to have a seminary degree. God’s work needs specialists too. Luke surrendered his special talent to God, giving up what might have been a lucrative private practice. In return, God gave him the privilege of writing a sizeable portion of the New Testament, and of being the beloved companion of the apostle Paul.

THE MAN WITH A SAD FUTURE

and also Demas. (4:14b)

Demas is the last man in Paul’s group photograph, and the one fly in the ointment. He had made a substantial commitment to the Lord’s work, and was with Paul in both his imprisonments. Unlike Paul’s other companions, however, his future was sad. Paul records the tragedy of Demas’s desertion in 2 Timothy 4:9-10: “Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.” The pull of the world system eventually became irresistible to Demas, and he abandoned both Paul and the ministry. Jesus had His Judas, and Paul had his Demas. Anyone who has been in the ministry long enough has shared in that heartbreaking experience. That is not necessarily a reflection on one’s own ministry, however. It is comforting to note that even the two greatest leaders the world has ever known had those who failed them.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. (4:1518)

Paul closes by asking the Colossians to greet the brethren in nearby Laodicea for him. The manuscripts vary between Nympha (feminine) and Nymphas (masculine), and in the corresponding pronoun (“her,” or “his”). The church that is in her house may have been the church at Laodicea, or that of Hierapolis, which would otherwise go unnamed. The church of the Laodiceans was to read the letter to the Colossians, and they were to read the letter that is coming from Laodicea. There has been much debate over the identity of the Laodicean letter. It has been variously identified as a letter from the Laodiceans to Paul, a letter written by Paul from Laodicea, the apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans, and a genuine letter of Paul to the Laodiceans that is now lost. In all likelihood, however, Paul here refers to the book of Ephesians. The oldest manuscripts of Ephesians do not contain the words “in Ephesus” in Ephesians 1:1, indicating that it was a circular letter intended for several churches. Tychicus probably delivered Ephesians to the Laodiceans, so Paul commands the Colossians and Laodiceans to exchange letters.

Archippus appears only here and in Philemon 2. He is commanded to take heed to his ministry that he might fulfill it. The examples of Paul’s co-workers in the preceding verses would be a powerful incentive for him to do that. To fulfill our ministry is what the Lord expects of all of us.

Paul customarily used an amanuensis (recording secretary) when writing his letters, but frequently added a greeting with his own hand (cf. 1 Cor. 16:21; 2 Thess. 3:17; Philem. 19). He asks them to remember his imprisonment in their prayers, and closes with the common salutation, Grace be with you (cf. Rom. 16:24; 1 Cor. 16:23; 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Thess. 5:28; 2 Thess. 3:18; 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22; Titus 3:15).

That sums up the message of Colossians: salvation is by grace through faith in the all-sufficient Christ, not through human works advocated by false teachers.