Colossians 4:7-18 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Colossians 4:7-18. Let’s go!
Colossians 4:7-14 (NIV)
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
On verses 7-14: Paul had just finished telling the Colossians in verse 6 that their conversation should be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt”. Now in verses 7-14 we see Paul practicing what he preaches as he speaks graciously about his co-workers.
As Paul describes each of his co-workers, notice how he speaks only good things about them to the Colossian church. He calls Tychicus “a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (v7-8). He calls Onesimus “our faithful and dear brother” (v9). He says Aristarchus, Mark and Justus are “a comfort” to him (v10-11). When talking about Epaphras, he calls him “a servant of Christ Jesus” who “is always wrestling in prayer for you” (v12) and who is “working hard for you” (v13). He calls Dr. Luke, the one who wrote the gospel of Luke, “our dear friend” (v14).
Is it possible that Paul and his co-workers had no flaws, always got along, never rubbed each other the wrong way and never had conflicts or tensions? Highly unlikely. Yet when speaking publicly about his teammates, Paul only has good things to say. His conversation is full of grace, seasoned with salt.
How about you? When you speak publicly about those you live with, work with and serve with, are your words full of grace, seasoned with salt? Always aim to speak well, graciously and wisely about your family, church family, co-workers and colleagues in public, and deal with the tough stuff privately when possible.
Colossians 4:15-18 (NIV)
15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
On verses 15-18: Notice how Paul really goes out of his way to greet people, not only in the church at Colosse, but also the church at Laodicea. Do you know that how you greet people is important? The way you greet (or don’t greet) your family and church family is a reflection of your character and how well you love others. How much do you go out of your way to greet people at home and at church?
As much as possible at home and at church, don’t wait to be greeted but take the initiative to greet people early and by name. Learning to greet others well is a way to love people, please God and mature spiritually. When you love others in this little way, it makes a big difference
A Final Word on Colossians and a Prayer for You
I hope you’ve enjoyed our look together at Paul’s letter to the Colossians. What’s the most important lesson you learned in the book of Colossians? Praise God. For me going through this book again, I realize once again just how central and supreme Jesus is.
Finally, here’s a prayer for you:
Just as Epaphras prayed for his church in Colosse (v12), I pray for you too, that you may stand firm in ALL the will of God, that in every aspect of life you would not compromise your faith but look to honour Christ. May you mature into the person God made you to be, confident in who you are in Christ (“fully assured” – v12)
And just like Paul tells Archippus in verse 17, may you see to it that you complete the ministry work that you received from God, whether it’s at home, at church or elsewhere. God is a great finisher. He always finishes the good work that He starts. May we be great finishers too.
Lord Jesus, just as You always speak graciously about us to Your Father, despite all our brokenness and failures, may I always speak graciously about those I live with, work with and serve with. Even in the way I greet people, may I love people well. And may I stand firm in all of Your will for my life, not settling for less than Your best. Just as You are a great finisher, help me to finish well what I’ve started and fulfill the commitments I make. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
