The Fellowship of  Christian Living--Colossians 4:7-18

     The Apostle Paul, after expressing his concerns in the first part of  Chapter One of  Colossians presented the Person of Christ in the middle part of  Chapter One and the work of  Christ in latter part of  Chapter One and the first part of Chapter Two.
     He then set forth the Body of  Christ, the Church, in warning, in teaching, and in its obligation in the rest of  Chapter Two and the first four verses of  Chapter Three.
     The apostle turned to the outworking of  this doctrinal presentation by setting forth The Basis of  Christian Living set forth in Colossians 3:5-11; The Exhortation to Christian Living taught in Colossians 3:12-17; and The Practice of  Christian Living presented in Colossians 3:18-4:6.
     On this web page is the final portion of  the outworking of  the doctrinal presentation as well as the final section of  the Epistle to the Colossians.  This part is "The Fellowship of  Christian Living" as seen in Colossians 4:7-18.  Ponder then:

I. THE PRESENTERS OF  FELLOWSHIP--vv. 7-9
     A. Brother Tychicus--vv. 7, 8
          1. His description
               a. Three appellations
                    (I) Beloved brother
                         (A) The word brother identifies him as a believer.
                         (B) The word beloved shows Paul's affection and esteem for him.
                    (II) Faithful minister
                         (A) The word faithful indicates his trustworthiness.
                         (B) The word minister
                              (1) It is the word for deacon in the Greek.
                              (2) Though he may have been a deacon in the official sense, it is more probable it was his service to
                                   Paul and the church.
                    (III) Fellow-servant
                         (A) This compound word suggests that he was a co-worker with Paul.
                         (B) "Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another." (Henry, 768)
               b. Related passages
                    (I) Acts 20:4 where he is stated to be from Asia (Minor)
                    (II) Ephesians 6:21 where the first two appellations are given
                    (III) 2 Timothy 4:12 where it is stated Paul sent him to Ephesus
                    (IV) Titus 3:12 where Paul states he might send him to Titus
          2. His duty
               a. Sent to know the Colossians estate
                    (I) He was the bearer of  this Epistle.
                    (II) He was to discern their situation.
                         (A) Some manuscripts have it that He was to make known to them Paul's situation. (This is more in accord
                              with the first part of  verse 7)
                         (B) The KJV has it to know the Colossians situation.
                         (C) Both were probably true.
                              (1) He made known to them how Paul was doing.
                              (2) He also could see how the Colossians were doing to report back to Paul.
                         (D) Thus, there would be mutual sharing.
               b. Sent to comfort the Colossians.
                    (I) The word comfort is basically the same word used for the Holy Spirit in John 15:26. (Cf. 1 Thessalonians
                         4:18)
                    (II) He was to comfort them about Paul who, you remember, was in prison.
                    (III) "It is a great comfort, under the troubles and difficulties of  life, to have the mutual concern of
                         fellow-Christians."(Ibid.)
     B. Brother Onesimus
          1. Who he is
               a. A faithful brother
                    (I) Immediately identifies him as a believer
                    (II) Not only a believer, but a faithful one.
               b. A beloved brother
                    (I) Again, here is a man who was dear to Paul's heart.
                    (II) He was won to Christ by Paul which is clear from the Epistle to Philemon.
               c. A Colossian
                    (I) He is one of  them.
                    (II) He was a slave of  Philemon.
                    (III) He had fled from Philemon and may have even stolen from him.
                    (IV) He went to Rome.
                    (V) He came in contact with Paul, doubtlessly by being imprisoned with him.
                    (VI) Paul won him to Jesus Christ.
                    (VII) He continued with Paul being of  service to him.
                    (VIII) Paul is sending him back to Colosse and to Philemon.
          2. What he was to do
               a. He was to inform them together with Tychicus of  Paul's matters.
               b. This statement is compared with verse 7.
                    (I) Verse 7 is a more general statement.
                    (II) Here it is more personal.
               c. He was to present with Tychicus the common fellowship between Paul and the Colossians.
                    (I) Note that Tychicus is the older one in the faith.
                    (II) Onesimus is newer in the faith, but not a novice.

II. THE PERSONS OF   FELLOWSHIP--vv. 10-14
     A. The Faithful Servants--v. 10
          1. Aristarchus
               a. A fellow-prisoner
                    (I) Acts 19:29
                         (A) He was with Paul in the Ephesus.
                         (B) He was from Macedonia.
                         (C) He was taken captive by the Ephesians during the uproar caused by the Ephesian silversmiths.
                         (D) He was probably released shortly after the townclerk had quieted the mob.
                    (II) Acts 20:4 shows that he was accompanying Paul.
                    (III) Acts 27:2
                         (A) He was a Thessalonian (of  Macedonia)
                         (B) He sailed with Paul to Italy.
                    (IV) Philemon 24 states that he was one of  Paul's fellow-laborers.
                    (V) This imprisonment with Paul may have been voluntary rather than due to any charges.
               b. A salutation
                    (I) The word salute simply means greet and not a formal salute that is used in the military.
                    (II) He sends his greetings to the Colossians.
          2. Marcus
               a. Who he is
                    (I) Barnabas' sister son
                         (A) This would make him Barnabas' nephew.
                         (B) It is argued that the word should be rendered cousin.
                              (1) This word is the only occurrence in the New Testament.
                              (2) This argument is largely based on the usage in other Greek writings.
                    (II) The same one left Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia--Acts. 15:38
                    (III) Now restored to fellowship with Paul
                         (A) What a lesson is here!
                         (B) When brethren have a falling out (whatever the cause), how great it is to see reconciliation between
                              them.
                    (IV) "We must forget as well as forgive." (Henry, 769)
                    (V) Cf. Galatians 6:1
               b. What he was to do
                    (I) They received commandments of  him.
                         (A) The plain sense is that some time in the past the Colossians had received instructions from Mark.
                         (B) It is useless speculation to try to figure out what those commandments were.
                         (C) This is just a passing remark by the Apostle Paul as a further means of  identification.
                    (II) He apparently planned to come to the Colossians.
                    (III) When he does, they are to receive him.
     B. The Fellow Jew--v. 11
          1. His name
               a. Jesus
                    (I) Jesus is the Greek equivalent of  Joshua.
                    (II) It was a common surname among the Jews.--Acts 13:6
                    (III) This was likely his Jewish name.
               b. Justus
                    (I) This was probably his Roman name.
                    (II) Nothing is known of  this person though some identify him as the one in Acts.
                         (A) Cf. Acts 1:23
                         (B) Cf. Acts 18:7
          2. His association
               a. Identified as a Jew
                    (I) He is said to be of  the circumcision--a term used to refer to Jews.
                    (II) The phrase here is in the plural.
                         (A) It may include Aristarchus and Marcus (or Mark).
                              (1) Mark was Jewish since Barnabas was.
                              (2) It is not clear that Aristarchus was.
                         (B) It may mean that Jesus called Justus was one of  several Jewish Christians associated
                              with Paul.
               b. Associated with Paul in the work.
                    (I) Note the plural "these" here also.
                    (II) He is a fellow-worker with Paul together with others.
                    (III) The importance of  this statement is twofold.
                         (A) They are co-workers with Paul "unto the kingdom of  God."
                         (B) They are and have been a comfort to Paul, particularly in his stay in prison.
     C. The Fervent Epaphras--v. 12, 13
          1. Who he is
                a. He is a Colossian.
                     (I) One of  them in citizenship
                     (II) One of  them in Christ
                     (III) He may have been the founder of  the Colossian assembly.
                b. He is a servant of  Christ.
                     (I) He was first of  all the servant of  the Lord.
                     (II) He was at least their pastor at one time or another.
                     (III) He may have still been one of  their pastors.
          2. What he did
               a. He greets them.
                    (I) Any absent pastor will send greetings to his church whenever possible.
                    (II) He "sends his service to you, and his best affections and wishes." (Ibid.)
               b. He prays for them.
                    (I) Labored in prayer on their behalf
                    (II) Labored continually in prayer for them
                    (III) Labored fervently in prayer--cf. James 5:16.
                    (IV) Labored in prayer that the Colossians
                         (A) May stand perfect in all the will of  God
                         (B) May stand complete in that will
          3. What Paul said of  him
               a. Paul gives testimony to his zeal.
               b. Paul speaks of  his zeal for them and nearby towns.
                    (I) Colosse--about 12 miles north of  the other two
                    (II) Laodicea--about 6 miles from Hierapolis
                    (III) Hierapolis--faced Laodicea
               c. Some have suggested that Epaphras may have founded all three churches.
     D. The Fellowshipping Pair--v. 14
          1. Luke
               a. The beloved physician
                    (I) Wrote
                         (A) Gospel of  Luke
                         (B) The book of  Acts
                    (II) He was both a doctor and an evangelist.
                    (III) He was the constant companion of  Paul.
                         (A) Joined Paul, probably at Troas
                              (1) Acts 16:10-13
                              (2) Notice the change from third person to first person in verse 12.
                              (3) Much of  the rest of  acts is in first person.
                         (B) Mentioned
                              (1) Philemon 24
                              (2) 2 Timothy 4:11
               b. Sends his greetings to the Colossians.
          2. Demas
               a. Nothing is said about him here.
               b. 2 Timothy 4:10
                    (I) He was said to have forsaken Paul apparently because of  worldliness.
                    (II) "Whether this was written before the second epistle to Timothy or after is not certain. (Ibid.)
                         (A) Generally, 2 Timothy is considered to be the last of  Paul's epistles.
                         (B) That being the case, Demas was with Paul here, but had forsaken him later as indicated in 2 Timothy.
                         (C) Matthew Henry points out that though he forsook Paul does not mean he forsook Christ.

III. THE PARTICIPATION OF  FELLOWSHIP--vv. 15-18
     A. Salutation to Believers--v. 15
          1. The brethren in Laodicea
               a. As seen as a neighboring city to Colosse
               b. These brethren are distinct from the Nymphas suggesting that there may have been more than one local
                    assembly in Laodicea.
          2. Nymphas
               a. A resident of  Laodicea
               b. Had a church in his home
                    (I) There were no church buildings then.
                    (II) As suggested he may had a church meeting in his house.
                    (III) It should not be assumed that his was the only assembly in Laodicea.
                    (IV) This church is mentioned separately from the brethren in Laodicea.
     B. Epistle to Believers
          1. This epistle
               a. This letter was to read to the church of  Colosse.
               b. This letter was to be read also to the church of  Laodicea.
                    (I) This may suggest only one church there.
                    (II) However, the church is one, even if  there is more than one assembly.
          2. The epistle to Laodicea
               a. There is much speculation as to what this letter was.
                    (I) First, it must be noted that the word "epistle" is in italics showing it was supplied by the translators.
                    (II) Second, the word "from" is the Greek proposition meaning "out from" or "out.
                    (III) Many including Calvin take it to be a letter received by Paul from Laodicea
                         (A) Main support is based on the preposition.
                         (B) It is, however, mere conjecture.
                    (IV) Others take it to be a letter written in Laodicea.
                         (A) Some think it was 1 Timothy, for which there is no evidence any where including 1 Timothy.
                         (B) A very prevalent idea is that it is the Epistle to the Ephesians.
                              (1) Based largely on the omission of  "to the Ephesians" in two old manuscripts.
                              (2) It was then considered as a circular letter with copies going to various churches with their names
                                   inserted.
                              (3) There is some historical evidence (which we need not go into) for this notion, for there are a few
                                   manuscripts with this omission.
                              (4) To say that most manuscripts were copied from the one in Ephesus is really avoiding the issue, and
                                   does not really account for the fact that none of  the other so-called epistles to other cities have any
                                   copies at all.
                              (5) The preponderance of  the manuscript evidence is in favor of  the epistle being to Ephesus in spite                                      of  the latest textual criticism which is largely based on the Westcott-Hort theories which has
                                   resulted in the many modern translations which tend to omit many important words and phrases.
                         (C) There are other suggestions which need not concern us.
               b. The most probable answer is that it was a letter written by Paul.
                    (I) The very context suggests it.
                    (II) This is why the KJV supplies the word "epistle."
                    (III) John Eadie--"The spirit of  the injunction in verse 16, seems plainly to imply that both letters were
                         dispatched at once, and the same might be inferred from the apostle's desire expressed in ii. 1, that the
                         Laodiceans as well as Colossians, should be aware of  his intense solicitude for them." (Eadie, 298)
                    (IV) This is not a lost book of  the Bible.
                         (A) If  it were to be part of  the canon, God would have preserved it.
                         (B) It is not the so-called apocryphal book, the Epistle of  Laodicea.
                         (C) Not everything that the apostles wrote were Scripture.
                         (D) Compare this with the words and signs of  Jesus
                              (1) John 20:30, 31
                              (2) John 21:25
     C. Exhortation to a Pastor--v. 17
          1. Who he was
               a. Archippus
               b. Possibly the son of  Philemon--cf. Philemon 2
               c. Certainly a Colossian
          2. What he was to do
               a. He was to take heed to his ministry.
                   (I) Suggests that he was a minister or a pastor
                   (II) May have been one of  the pastors in the church of  Colosse
                   (III) It may be that he was slacking off on his work for the Lord.
              b. He received it from the Lord.
                   (I) A person does not place himself in the ministry.
                   (II) There must be that called from the Lord.
              c. He was to fulfill it.
                   (I) It is not certain as to why this exhortation was given by Paul.
                   (II) He may have needed encouragement as every pastor does from time to time.
     D. Final Greetings and Prayer--v. 18
          1. Personal greeting from him
               a. Remember that Paul dictated his letters and someone else wrote the words down. --Cf. Romans 16:22
               b. Here Paul takes up the pen and with his own hand gives them a greeting.
                    (I) Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:21
                    (II) Cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:17
          2. Personal prayer
               a. Remember my bonds
                    (I) Paul was in prison.
                    (II) He wanted their prayers on his behalf--cf. Colossians 4:3, 4
               b. Pray for my release
                    (I) This is not stated as such.
                    (II) "Their freedom of  religious observance was to suggest to them, by the contrast, his
                         incarceration." (op. cit., 302, 3)
               c. Pray for my needs
                    (I) Again, not stated as such.
                    (II) Implied by the word "remember."
          3. Personal benediction
               a. Grace be with you.
                    (I) "The favour of  God, and all good, the blessed fruits and effects of  it, be with you and be your portion."
                         (Henry, 770)
                    (II) Every believer needs the grace of  God daily in their lives.
               b. His common benediction
                    (I) Every Pauline epistle has this benediction in one form or another.
                    (II) Cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 18

     Paul in this final division of  his epistle has set forth The Fellowship of  Christian living:  The Presenters of  Fellowship-- vv. 7-9; The Persons of  Fellowship--vv. 10-14; and The Participation of  Fellowship--v. 15-18.
     How believers need this fellowship in their lives as Christians.   May we always be persons of  fellowship as we participate with one another in Christian fellowship.