Clarity: In Me, Around Me Colossians 4:7-18

This is our final life lesson from Colossians. I hope and pray you have received "Clarity" from this series.


Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."   I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

(Colossians 4:7-18 ESV)

In Christian Service (Col. 4:7-18)
While we honor Paul as the great apostle, we must never forget the many dedicated Christians who assisted Paul in his ministry. No pastor, evangelist, or missionary can do the Lord’s work alone. “We are laborers together with God” (1Co. 3:9).

• Tychicus (Col. 4:7-8) had been with Paul for several years. He accompanied Paul from Ephesus (Act_20:4) as he returned to Jerusalem and possibly was a citizen of Ephesus. He had labored there with Paul for those three years. Tychicus was to carry the letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21-22). This man had a long and dangerous journey ahead of him. How thankful we are that he was faithful to deliver the Word, otherwise we could not study it today! See also 2Ti_4:12.
• Onesimus (Col. 4:9) was the runaway slave of Philemon, whom Paul had won to Christ. The apostle was now sending Onesimus back home to Colosse. (Read the letter to Philemon.) He and Tychicus traveled together, with Onesimus carrying the precious letter to his master, Philemon.
• Aristarchus (Col. 4:10) is seen during the Ephesian riot (Act. 19:29), where he was singled out as a leading Christian. He also accompanied Paul (Act. 20:4) and was with him during that terrible storm en route to Rome (Act. 27:2). What a faithful Christian he was, to “stick by” Paul through thick and thin!
• Marcus (Col. 4:10) is John Mark, cousin to Barnabas. Mark had “fallen out” with Paul years before (Act. 13:13 and Act. 15:36-41). It is possible that the Colossians knew about Mark’s failure, but Paul wanted them to receive this young man and show him love. When he wrote his last letter, Paul admitted that Mark was “profitable” in the ministry (2Ti. 4:11). We need to forgive the failures of others and give believers the opportunity to “make good” in the Lord’s work.
• Jesus-Justus (Col. 4:11) was a Jewish believer. His Hebrew name was Joshua, which is translated “Jesus” in the Greek. His other name signifies one who obeys the Law (Justus). He worked with Paul and comforted (encouraged) him. What a help he was to the apostle during those days in prison!
• Epaphras (Col. 4:12-13) was a Gentile and probably the founder-pastor of the church at Colosse. This godly man believed in the ministry of the Word of God and prayer (Col. 1:7 and Col. 4:12). What a prayer warrior he was! He did not simply “say prayers”; “he labored [agonized] in prayer.” It is the same word that is used for the struggles of athletes in contests. Epaphras prayed that the Colossians might stand “mature and full” in God’s will (see Col. 1:28-29). He wanted them to live up to their “fullness” in Christ. Yet his prayers were not for the Colossians only; he was zealous for the saints in the neighboring cities as well. What Christian love!
• Luke (Col. 4:14) was the Gentile physician who joined Paul at Troas (Act. 16:10) and later wrote the books of Luke and Acts. Luke and Demas are linked again in 2Ti. 4:10-11, “Only Luke is with me...Demas has forsaken me” (NKJV). You can summarize the life of Demas in three verses: “Demas, my fellow laborer” (Phm. 1:24); “Demas...” (Col. 4:14); “Demas has forsaken me” (2Ti. 4:10 4, NKJV). Since Colossians and Philemon were written during the same time, Demas’ backsliding must have been rapid. What a tragedy!

In his closing instructions, Paul sends a greeting to some of the saints and tells the Colossians and Laodiceans to share their respective letters with each other. It may be that the epistle to the Laodiceans is our Ephesians. “All Scripture is profitable” (2Ti. 3:16), so we must not neglect any of God’s Word. He closes by warning Archippus not to faint but to fulfill his ministry in the Lord. Perhaps he was the son of Philemon, since he is mentioned in that letter too (Phm. 1:2).

Paul’s usual salutation of grace closes the letter, marking it as authentic. (This was obvious by the markedly larger and irregular handwriting that resulted from Paul's poor eyesight)

 “I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”  The story of God’s plan is written on your heart and on the hearts of all those saints the Lord sends to fight the revolution with you. Learn and appreciate their stories.

(Outline from Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines)