Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
COLOSSIANS
A small letter with a large meaning
Sermon 14
Companions in the Ministry
Colossians 4:7-18
For many years, this writer traveled to not a few foreign countries and territories in the ministry of the Word of God. Most of those travels were undertaken alone with much time spent alone even when on the field of ministry. I suppose many, if not most, traveling preachers could say much the same. Perhaps it would have been well to have had at least one traveling companion with whom to share the time and the ministry, and with whom to have fellowship. The testimony of the Apostle Paul certainly indicates to have companions in the ministry is a blessing. It seems he almost always had someone with him. On at least one occasion he was somewhat restless because he did not find Titus at Troas and apparently interrupted an open opportunity for ministry to go to Macedonia to find him (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). There he encountered much trouble but God comforted him by Titus’ coming (2 Corinthians 7:5-6). Our text for this sermon gives insight into some of those who were Paul’s companions in the ministry and how he felt about them.
Tychicus was “a beloved brother” in the Lord, “a faithful minister” with and to Paul. As “a fellow servant in the Lord,” he worked with and for Paul in the ministry of the Word and the care of the churches (see 2 Timothy 4:12 and Titus 3:12). He was sent by Paul to Colosse to do several things: (1) to deliver the letter Paul wrote to the Colossian church; (2) to report to the Colossian church of Paul’s current ministry and condition; (3) to learn of and report back to Paul the condition of the Colossian church; and (5) to be a comfort and thus an encouragement to the Colossian believers.
Onesimus was a runaway slave whom the Lord saved through Paul at Rome (see Philemon 10-18). He was “a faithful . . . brother”, proving himself to be a true convert to faith in Jesus. He was “a . . . beloved brother”, especially to Paul, his spiritual father; but probably also to all the believers in Rome who knew him. The church at Colosse had known him only as a worthless, runaway slave. But now he was one of them, not only a native of Colosse, but more than that a brother in Christ.
Aristarchus, a native of Thessalonica in Macedonia (Acts 27:2) is mentioned often as one of Paul’s steady companions. He was in Ephesus during the uproar recorded in Acts 19 and was taken by the mob into the amphitheater (Acts 19:29) . He was with Paul at Troas upon his return from Macedonia (Acts 20:1-5). He was on board the ship with Paul on the voyage to Rome recorded in Acts 27. Now he is with Paul at Rome as a “fellow prisoner.” Does that mean he was actually confined to prison with Paul? That is somewhat questionable since Paul also calls Epaphras “my fellow prisoner” (Philemon 23) but not Aristarchus, who is named in the next verse. The Colossian letter and the letter to Philemon were doubtless written at the same time and delivered, as we have noted in an earlier sermon, by Tychicus and Onesimus. Therefore, the likely meaning of “fellow prisoner” is in Christ rather than in prison.
Mark, who was Barnabas’ cousin, started out with Paul and Barnabas from Antioch and served with them on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:5). But when they arrived at Perga on the southern coast of Asia, he left them and returned home (Acts 13:13). For that reason he was out-of-favor with the Apostle Paul (see Acts 16:36-40).But now he was with Paul showing they two had been reconciled. Paul had instructed the church at Colosse to be sure to receive Mark if he should come to them. He would hardly have done that if he and Mark had not been reconciled. What a blessing it is when those who trust the Lord Jesus are reconciled to one another following some kind of disagreement.
Jesus Justus (Joshua Zadok in Hebrew) had a surname which was one given to someone especially righteous in attitude and action. He, Aristarchus and Mark were the only Jews who were working with Paul and were a comfort to him. Most other Jews were violently opposed to him.
Epaphras doubtless had brought Paul news of the Colossian church and the surrounding false teachings. He was a Colossian, no doubt a member of the church. That he was likely its pastor is shown by his fervent prayers for them, an indication of his great love and concern for their welfare. He greatly desired them to grow to spiritual maturity and to be filled with the knowledge of God and of Christ. That would make them impervious to false doctrine. His concern for them was so obvious that Paul as to be witnessed by Paul who declared Epaphras “zeal” for the believers, not only in Colosse, but also in the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. He most likely had at least a part in the planting of those churches as well as the one in Colosse.
Luke was the writer of the Gospel which bears his name and of the Acts (see Luke 1:3 and Acts 1:1). He was a Gentile, perhaps a Jewish proselyte before his conversion to Christ. He might have been one of the 70 disciples sent forth by Christ as written in Luke 10:1, 17. He is the only Gospel writer to record that information. His companionship with Paul is noted by the use of the words “us” and “we” from Acts 20 and onward indicating the writer was with Paul at the time. Now he is with him in Rome. He was a doctor familiar with the healing arts of the day, and he was “beloved”, not because he was a doctor, but as a brother in Christ.
Demas was probably one who had professed faith under Paul’s ministry. In Philemon 24 Paul counts him among his fellow laborers. But, when it became evident during Paul’s final imprisonment at Rome that Paul would be executed, Demas, loving life more than Christ, deserted (see 2 Timothy 4:10). I can only imagine what it would have been like to have had a fellow laborer with me in my travels who would have deserted me in an hour of peril.
Most of the believers in and around Colosse had never seen Paul. Yet he counted them dear and desired salutations be given them, not only from himself, but also from those with him. There were the “brothers . . . in Laodicea” and “Nymphas” who was the host of the church in that city. There was Archippus who was either the pastor of the church which met in Philemon’s house (see Philemon 2) or the co-pastor with Epaphras, tending to the flock while Epaphras was away at Rome. To him Paul sends the message to look carefully to the service of the Lord and His people, a “ministry” which he had “received” from the Lord, not one he had taken upon himself. Thus, he was under compulsion as well as love for the Lord to continue faithful unto the end (see also 2 Timothy 4:5).
The Laodicean church was in much the same situation as the church in Colosse. Being in proximity to one another, they were no doubt being subjected to the same false teachings. They had need to read the letter to the Colossians. Paul instructs the Colossian church to make sure that is done.
The Colossian letter is closed by the personal signature of the apostle himself. As with most of his letters, Paul likely dictated this one to someone who wrote as a stenographer exactly what Paul said. Paul’s signature authenticated the epistle. As he picked up the pen to sign it, he had a vivid reminder of his bonds as he observed the chain on his right wrist which was attached to the left wrist of a Roman soldier. “Remember my bonds” was Paul’s personal salutation. Remember they are for preaching the Gospel. Bear that in mind and not only pray for me, but also take courage to stand fast in the truth you have learned even to the point of bonds and/or death.
“Grace be with you” invokes the freely bestowed blessing of God upon His people. He is the God of grace. Of His fullness had they all received in the Lord Jesus Christ, and “grace for grace.” (See John 1:16)
Christian companionship is a great blessing of God. It is of inestimable value. It is more than fellowship. It is a close-knit relationship based solely upon faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the kind of relationship every believer should have with a local church.