Colossians 4:7-18
Colossians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 109 viewsPaul's final greetings to a church he doesn't know. He assumes they know of some of his fellow Christians, names them, and encourages the church through them.
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A glimpse into the life of the early church
Paul has written about the glory of King Jesus
He’s written about the practical side of our relationships with people in the Church and with people outside the church...
Now we get examples of what it looks like to be the church.
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
9 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.
10 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),
11 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.
12 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.
13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 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.
17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Colossians 4:
The Envoy (those Paul Sends)
Tychicus
“…beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord”
- Assisted Paul in collecting and delivering the offering for the Jerusalem Church
Believed to be a native of Ephasus
2 other mentions of Tychicus being sent by Paul
- Sending him to Crete to be with Titus
- Mentioned that he is sent to Ephasus
Very close friend of Paul & lifelong companion ( early to late ministry)
That you may know how we are and that he may encourage you.
Onesimus
Slave who Paul wrote to Philemon about.
He had run away from his master and robbed him (Philemon)
Somewhere in the ancient world, Paul ran into him, converts him, and they develop a close friendship
implications for the Christian life, our past need to be dealt with, not ignored.
more on Onesimus in the letter to Philemon.
People w/ Paul - that the Church @ Colossae may know
Jewish Men:
Aristarchus - Fellow Prisoner
companion of Paul, Macedonian
- Seized by an angry mob in Ephesus
- Travelled w/ Paul on the 3rd missionary journey as well as to Rome to face Caesar
Some Scholars believe he placed himself under Paul as a bondservant (a slave) so that he could remain with Paul on the journey to Rome and in prison.
Mark - Cousin of Barnabas
- Serving as Paul’s assistant, Mark abandons their missionary journey and went home
- Paul refuses taking Mark w/ him, causing Paul and Barnabas to part ways
& indicate that Paul and Mark had reconciled and had become close
Jesus, Justus - This is the only mention of him in Scripture...
11 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.
Gentile Men:
12 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.
12 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.
13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Colossians
Colossians
Epaphras - One of You!!!
Credited with planting the Church at Colossae (…some scholars also believe the Church in Laodicea and Hierapolis
The messenger that came to Paul
Phil. 23 - imprisoned w/ Paul!!!
13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
Luke - beloved physician, writer of Luke & Acts
Luke - beloved physician, writer of Luke & Acts
Demas - Here mentioned among church leaders… Mentioned again in as someone who is in love with this present world & a deserter to Paul
Personal Greetings to People in & Around Colossae:
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 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.
Laodicea - Area just to the north of Colossae, sister Church to Colossae, mentioned in Revelation (Collaboration for multiplication)
Laodicea - Area just to the north of Colossae, sister Church to Colossae, mentioned in Revelation (Collaboration for multiplication)
Nympha - House Church Leader!!!
16 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.
17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Archippus - As far as we can tell from this letter, Philemon, and church history, Archippus was a young man who sensed God’s call to ministry. Here Paul encourages him to fulfill the ministry God is calling him to.
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Take a moment and consider what was happening in the life of this one Church in the ancient world
In Tychicus, Aristarchus, and Paul, there are lifelong friendships that have experienced almost everything you can imagine in life together. While Paul and Aristarchus are stuck in prison in Rome, Tychicus is free to continue their ministry
In the relationship with Philemon and Onesimus there’s, not just an offence, but out right robbery and crime commited against each other… but Paul is urging these two brothers toward reconciliation in Christ (See Philemon)
In Mark and Paul’s relationship, we see and have hope that in Jesus, and through Jesus, and to the glory of King Jesus, relationships can be repaired and restored just as Paul and Mark’s relationship has been.
Epaphras - the founder of the Church of Colossae, sent out by the church, no imprisoned w/ Paul in Rome. Willing to give all for the sake of the church growing to maturity.
Laodicea - There are sister churches in the area and region who are a comfort and support,
Nympha - there are local church leaders in every house.
Archippus - there are church leaders who have yet to realize the ministry and purpose God has called them to!!!!
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Remember my chains
we tend to idolize and remember “heroes” with a flare for the dramatic
stronger, faster, braver, smarter than they actually are
Paul is reminding the church of his weakness,
b/c in his weakness Jesus is stronger
in our sufferings we fill up what is lacking in Christ’s sufferings
Grace
always end with grace.
16 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.
Colossians 4:
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.