Colossians 4:7-18

  • David Fairchild
  • Oct 30, 2005
  • Series: Colossians

INTRODUCTION

As we come to an end of this great letter that Paul has written to this small church at Colossae, I think it is no coincidence that we are also celebrating our anniversary as a church.

Paul, in his final remarks, closes this letter with a verbal group photo. He thanks those who have helped him in his ministry while he was a prisoner in Rome. He demonstrates to us the beautiful truth that there is no second string, there are no extras, there are no little people when it comes to God’s family. It is easy for us to assume that those who are less vocal, less visible and less prominent are less valuable. But this is not how our great God sees things. We are all part of this great mission which God has called us to. Even if our work seems insignificant or less glorious to men, it brings God a wealth of glory that I doubt we will ever fully comprehend.

This section is a warm and personal finish to what has been a largely doctrinal letter. The affection that Paul has for those who have been with him for years is obvious in this section. The fact that Paul had such loyal co-laborers tells us something of the kind of man he was. Because of what God had done in and through Paul, he was able to inspire loyalty in others, which I believe was in direct relation to the loyalty which Paul demonstrated to the Lord he served.

It is important for us to remember that in the New Testament, Paul never ministered alone. He shared His first leadership opportunity in the church in Antioch with four other men, and throughout his missionary work and travels, he always had companions. The only time we hear of Paul being alone is in Acts, and it is for a brief period. Even as a prisoner of Rome as he writes this letter, he is not alone. The eight men he mentions in this closing section are not popular or well known today, and perhaps were not popular and well known then. Yet each one was very special to Paul. Each one was willing to pay the price of being associated with a prisoner like Paul.

As I read this section over and over again this last week in study, I was gripped by how very much love and care God has given me for those who have given their lives and love to this family at Kaleo. The amount of tears and prayers that God has heard come from me for many of you has driven a deep affection into my heart that is not easy to explain. When I travel, I miss my wife and kids, and I miss my family at Kaleo. It’s so refreshing when I come back to see each of your faces and to be at home with you. I know, like Paul and his friends, that as we are prisoners for Christ more and more, and as time passes and we lovingly serve together for God’s glory, that this bond will grow deeper and deeper. I look forward to the years that God will give us and the stories we’ll be able to tell our grandkids.

Let’s jump into the text.

STUDY

Tychicus

Verses 7-8 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 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;

Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament. Though the references are brief, they tell us much about this man of God.

The first time we hear of Tychicus is in Acts 20:4. Paul was on his third missionary journey in Ephesus and he planned on returning to Jerusalem to collect an offering. He was taking the offerings given from Galatia and Achaia, and he was going to present it to the needy believers in Jerusalem. He was hoping to establish a bond between the Gentile churches outside of Palestine and the predominantly Jewish church in Jerusalem.

Tychicus was willing to travel with Paul to Jerusalem because of his servant’s heart. This trip was far more dangerous and difficult than it is in our day. It would take Tychicus from his family, his friends and his church for a long time. By the time Paul wrote Colossians, it had already been two years since his arrest in Jerusalem. He had survived a murder plot by the Jewish leaders, trials before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, and a nail biting voyage to Rome. It is likely that Tychicus was with him this entire time. We know he was definitely with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome.

When Paul needed a temporary replacement for the great pastor Titus of the church in Crete, Tychicus was one of the substitutes considered. Tychicus, who began as a messenger, was a candidate to fill these great shoes. When Paul wrote to Timothy at the end of his life, he requested that Timothy come see him. Timothy couldn’t leave the congregation at Ephesus without a replacement, so Paul sent Tychicus.

It had been about four years since Tychicus had joined Paul in Ephesus. At this point, Paul charged him with the task of delivering this important letter to the church at Colossae. Not only did he carry this letter, but also Ephesians and probably Philemon as well.

Paul calls him a beloved brother in the Lord, a faithful servant, a fellow bond-servant in the Lord. These are great qualities and admirable traits that this rarely-heard-of man possessed. Tychicus was also sent to encourage the hearts of the believers in this church regarding the affairs of Paul and his other servants.

Onesimus

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

Onesimus was a runaway slave whose return to his master was the reason Paul wrote Philemon. Philemon was one of the leaders of the Colossian’s church, and it’s likely that the church also met in his home. Onesimus was a slave in Philemon’s household until he ran away and made his way to Rome. This is where he met Paul, who led him to Christ. Onesimus was returning to His master’s house at Colossae, and Paul wrote to urge Philemon to forgive Onesimus for running away and defrauding him, and to welcome Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Onesimus left as a runaway slave, and returned as a faithful and beloved brother. He was one of your number in Colossae. He was to be treated as a member of the church first, because in Christ there is neither slave nor freeman.

Aristarchus

Verse 10a- Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;

Aristarchus was a Jewish believer with a Greek name. He was a native of Thessalonica. Aristarchus first shows up during Paul’s three year ministry at Ephesus. He was seized by the rioting mob, who recognized him as one of Paul’s companions. He probably stayed with Paul throughout his imprisonment in Palestine as well. As Paul writes this letter, Aristarchus is still beside the Apostle.

Even though Aristarchus was not an actual prisoner, he gave his life up like a prisoner to be with Paul throughout Paul’s prison stay. He chose to make Paul’s lifestyle his own. His sympathetic and caring heart is evident. He gave up his own freedom to minister to Paul’s needs. Any leader would be blessed to have a faithful Aristarchus by his side through all his trials. God’s work is more effectively done because of people like Aristarchus, who humbly bear difficulty and hardships without the fame of those they serve.

Mark

Verse 10b- and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

Mark began as a deserter of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. When things got tough, he left. Mark’s desertion became a point of great contention between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin along on their second trip, but Paul didn’t trust Mark to be loyal, so Paul refused. That led to a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, and it caused them to separate from one another.

The story doesn’t end there for Mark. By the time Paul writes this letter to the Colossians, Mark was a changed man. He was restored to full usefulness, probably through Peter’s ministry. Paul names him among his fellow workers. The man who 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 tells the Colossians that if Mark comes to them, they are to obey their instructors and welcome him. They are not to shun him because of his past failure.

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

Justus

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