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.” Colossians 4:12-17
Paul continues his greeting with more fellow workers, and a peek into
the team performing a mighty work of God. Each with different skills and
purposes, and some not using them to the fullest at times.
We meet Epaphras in the beginning of Paul’s letter…
7 just as you learned it
from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to
us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:7-8
He was likely
converted by Paul when Paul was in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10) and returned to
Colossae to plant a church. He likely also planted churches in the neighboring
Laodicea and Hierapolis that Paul mentions here. Perhaps he is in Rome to seek
counsel from Paul due to the false teachings amidst his church family.
What a testament
to Epaphras that Paul says he is always struggling on their behalf in his
prayers for them to stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Paul
commends his hard work on their behalf. I wonder why Tychicus and Onesimus are
delivering the letter instead of Epaphras returning to his beloved church with
this message. Does he need more time with Paul, does Paul need him, does he
need to be sent to another location, is there a new pastor in Colossae? We aren’t
told these things, but we do know that he loves and is fervently praying for
the church communities he helped build. There is a season for everything
indeed.
Luke is also mentioned
as the beloved physician. Luke, the writer of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. I
imagine he had much opportunity to use his medical training while working with
Paul and the others who were frequently persecuted. In one of Paul’s last
messages, we see how special Luke is to Paul…
Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him
with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 2 Timothy
4:11
Paul pens this
letter to Timothy near the end of his life as he is facing his execution. The beloved
Luke is with him.
The final person mentioned
as with them is Demas. Unlike the others, nothing additional is said of Demas
by Paul here. In Philemon, written just before Colossians, Paul calls him a
fellow worker (Philemon 1:24). Paul may be seeing a change in Demas here that eventually
comes to fruition. In Paul’s letter to Timothy written later, he says of Demas…
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and
gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 2 Timothy 4:10
Demas, though
once a fellow worker, has chosen the world. He jumped ship. Perhaps he came
back at a later time in his life, but we aren’t told. The pull of this world is
so strong and none of us are exempt from going that way. I take Demas as a
personal warning.
Paul closes with
greetings to other people and church communities and instructions on reading
the letters. His final words before his sign-off in the next verse, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you
have received in the Lord.” Encouragement for Archippus, but for all of us
as well.
As I look back
over the team in Paul’s closing greeting, it is a beautiful compilation of
people we could all hope to be and have in our lives, along with the sad reality
of relationships that don’t pan out as we would have hoped.
Do you have real
names associated with these characteristics? In which do you see yourself?
Tychicus – Someone deeply
loved and trusted to represent you and carry an important message. Someone
you know has your back and best interests in mind even when you are not around.
Onesimus – Someone you look
up to for what they have overcome. Someone who messed up, but made things
right and their life will never be the same. Someone who gives you hope that
great divides can be greatly unified and there is sweet freedom in Jesus.
Aristarchus – Someone who shares your burdens in the worst of times. Someone who makes you feel like you are not alone.
Mark – Someone who greatly
disappointed you, but has changed even though you never thought they could and now
you are reconciled, joined together in work. Someone to remind you we can all get back on track.
Barnabas – Someone you were once very close to, but have drifted from. Someone you may need to
reach out to.
Jesus called Justus – Someone who is a great encouragement. Someone with just the right words when you
need them the most.
Epaphras – Someone deeply
committed in prayer and service. Someone you can turn to who will pray
without ceasing for and with you.
Luke – Someone who won’t
leave your side, when everyone else does. Someone you can count on 100%.
Demas – Someone who has all
the potential and opportunity, but chooses things of the world instead.
Someone to remind us we are all a decision away from turning away and we need
to stay strong and committed.
Who’s on your
team? What kind of team member are you?
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