Mention of some born-again Christians who were helping Paul in the ministry of the Gospel of Christ.

Colossians 4:7-18

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In the verses of this post, Paul reveals some of his beloved born-again Christians who helped him to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our born-again experience is the Gospel written on our heart. In Colossians 4:11, Paul says, “…these are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”

“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.” Colossians 4:7-15

Tychius was working for our Lord Jesus by communicating between the churches and Paul. He shared all the news about Paul with the Colossians, and he gathered information about the Colossians to share with Paul. Paul let the Colossian know that was the purpose of sending Tychius.

Onesimus was the runaway slave of Philemon whom Paul took into his home with the permission of Philemon. That is spoken about in Philemon 1:8-25 Paul calls this slave a faithful brother who is one of the Colossians in Christ Jesus, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)…” Colossians 4:10

While in prison, Paul converted other prisoners to Jesus Christ, such as Aristarchus. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their missionary travels. Mark started with them on their first trip but left them partway through. Later, when planning their second trip, Barnabas and Paul could not agree about whether Mark should accompany them again, so Barnabas and Mark separated from Paul. This is described in Acts 15:36-41. As we see in the verse above, Paul encourages the Colossians to welcome him.

“…and Jesus who is called Justus” Colossian 4:11

Jesus, who is called Justus, is someone identified as one of the few Jewish believers who supported the Apostle Paul during his imprisonment in Rome. The name “Justus” signifies righteousness, reflecting his character and commitment to the Gospel of Christ through his born-again experience. 

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.” Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras is also mentioned in Colossians 1:7-8, “…as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:7-8

Epaphras was someone significant in the Church. He was a born-again Gentile and served as a faithful minister of Christ, playing a crucial role in establishing the church of the Colossians. Epaphras was known for his zealous ministry, traveling to Rome to visit Paul and sharing the gospel with the Colossians.

“Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.” Colossians 4:14

Luke is the writer of Acts, and he accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, as described in Acts 1:1-3. Luke also wrote the Gospel of Luke and was a doctor. Demas was with Paul for a while but as described in 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul writes, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…”

 “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.” Colossians 4:15

Nymphas is the male version of the female name Nympha, and other translations considers the proper translation to be “Nympha”. For example, the NIV version says, “Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” You could say that she was the founder/hostess of the Church there in her house. The name “Nympha” means “bride” but the name “Nymphas” means “bridegroom”.

I like how Paul says, “…and the church that is in her house…” because this makes the distinction that the church is not a building of any type, but the Church is people with a born-again experience who live for God through Jesus Chrit in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As members of the family of Jesus Christ, if/when we run across other Church members [the Church as described by Paul] let’s encourage them with our testimony of Jesus Christ.

“Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” Colossians 4:16-17

In Philemon 1:2, Archippus is referred to as a “fellow soldier” in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through his own born-again experience. Paul encouraged Archippus to continue in Jesus Christ. The letters that Paul wrote are not exclusive to one Church, the letter to the Colossians was passed around to other Churches as well, such as the Church of the Laodiceans and vice-versa. The Apostle John even sent letters to the Churches, as he wrote to the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:14-21.

“This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.:” Colossians 4:18

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1