Heed

“Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

Paul now singles out a brother for a personal mention, presumably because Paul is concerned about in the work he is doing, or not doing for the Lord. Archippus is a fellow worker with Paul and is in charge of the church in Colosse, as a minster of the gospel. He has been given this task to do, by the Lord, and must do it with all his heart and soul, and Paul is telling him here that he must get on with that task. His work is to preach the Word to the believer and the unbeliever alike, to teach the saints and preach the gospel of salvation from sin, to the outsiders.

Perhaps Archippus was not so dedicated as he should have been and had lost some enthusiasm for the service of the Lord, which he had been entrusted with. He must find again his peace with God and put in the efforts necessary to fulfil his calling as a minister of the Lord Jesus. Paul says, “take an interest” and get your mind, hearts and body in gear for the work of the Lord. Archippuus must defend the truth of God and teach the people against the error that is creeping into the congregation. This was a big problem and still is. We need ministers, who will faithfully hold on to the truths of God and preach them to the people, not people-pleasers who minister to itching ears, but someone who will stand for what is true in all circumstances.

We also must take the interest in the task that God has given us to do for His glory, whatever those tasks might be. It does not matter if no one sees us or pays any attention to what we do, we do it as unto the Lord and for the praise of His glory. We are to fulfil our calling and obey.

Maybe he is also encouraging the church to get behind their brother and help and support the ground-breaking ministry he is doing in the outreach for precious souls in the local community. Maybe he is telling the saints to make their minster more accountable to them and to help him to know that they are interested and behind what he should be doing. This also includes being interested enough to be involved and to put all their efforts behind the work of the Lord.

“Serve the LORD with gladness. Come before his presence with singing.”

Psalm 100:2

We serve with all our hearts and soul. We hold back nothing from the one who died for us and gave everything to save us.

Beloved, let us encourage each other in the work of the Lord, as He has assigned it to us…

Among

“When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”

The Christians were sharing the letters from the Apostle Paul with each other and learning the truths of God straight from his hand. Paul wrote the letter to be publicly read the to whole congregation of the church, and not to anyone person in particular. The listeners did not realise they were designated to be in the canon of Scripture, but the truth in them resonated with the Holy Spirit who dwelt in each one of them. Paul does not hide from the Christians and teaches them the full council of God, pointing out their failure and weaknesses that they might grow in grace and turn from all evil.

The Christians placed great value on the Word of God. They read the Scriptures when they met together but did not always live accurately according to the precepts taught in them. Much like we do today, they appreciated, read and agreed but putting it into practice was more challenging. They were prone to false teachers and the wretched judaisers, who sought to dull down the message of the gospel and make it of no effect. Their difficulties were much the same as we face today, and the scripture is timeless in dealing with these recurring issues that follow the truth of God in every era.

We need the Scriptures at all times to strengthen our faith and the bonds we have with each other. Swapping letters was a great way to spread the Word, establishing it as the truth of God and ensuring that all the people were exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The letters would have been copied and delivered to the other churches and thereby were spread through the country.

“These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Every time and place is good for the Word… let it be read among us…

House

“Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.”

Paul asks that the Christians in Colosse also reach out and greet the brothers and sister in Laodicea, in his name. These two churches were sister churches and had fellowship together and much in common. They were both facing the onslaught of the effects of this fallen world on the minds of the believers and the attendant temptations to embrace the culture of the age. Laodicea is mentioned in Revelation chapter three and is a church that has become complacent and taken up with this world’s goods and not the spiritual ways of the Lord. The letter to the Colossians is applicable to the Laodiceans also, and to us a well. Paul would not have known the full effect of his godly words on the readers, including us, but his words are the very Word of God.

Someone called Nymphas is singled out for mention, as the church also meets in his house. The believers met together often for fellowship, Bible sharing, sharing these letters of Paul, and prayer and singing. They could not long stay away from each other and were very close in their relationships with the Lord and each other. People opened up their homes for the spread of the gospel and Christian fellowship.

We don’t know if the church actual met in the home of Nymphas, or small groups met there, or another smaller fellowship in another part of town. We know that the believers had all thing common and shared with each other in warm and loving ways, and part of that was homes open to the work of the Lord.

Perhaps it was a large godly family who met together and operated like a church in their street… Perhaps this is how they did their outreach- families operating to the glory of God and sharing the gospel openly with all around them. Fuctional witnesses to the grace of God and bearing the likeness of Christ, and showing His character to a lost world.

Whatever the actual circumstances, the culture was one of openness, sharing and warmth, and not just meeting to listen to preaching once a week in a building that was hardly used… it was a far cry from some of the situations that exist today.

Greet

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.”

This is the same doctor Luke who wrote the gospel of Luke and also the Acts of the Apostles. He records his observations and research with great and knowledgeable accuracy and his words have been kept for us by the Holy Spirit as the word of God. He was a medical doctor and a healer and trained as a Greek historian. This would explain his attention to detail which helps us to date and contextualise other scriptures. His work covers more than a quarter of the New Testament, which makes him the chief writer of the document. Luke is clearly identified as a Gentile disciple and addresses the issues of the two camps in his writings.

He worked closely and travelled widely with Paul as an evangelist and physician and perhaps attend to the Apostles needs, as he suffered from an ailment that he referred to as his “thorn in the flesh.” It was perhaps as eye complaint.

“For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.”

Galatians 4:15

Perhaps Luke attend Paul as he suffered with this disability and treated him for the difficulties it made for the Apostle. Luke was a trusted and dear friend and brother as well as a healer and was an up-close record keeper of many important events in the life of Christ and the Apostles. He was not just loved by Paul, but was known by this title, “The beloved physician.” – not just a physician of the body but also of the soul. He is responsible for bringing many to faith in Christ and the building up of the saints in faith and love.

Demas is the same disciple who at one time deserted the ministry and the Apostle Paul because he wanted to follow the world and what it offered to him.

“for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.”

2 Timothy 4:10

Demas has been renewed and reinstated by the Apostle to his post in serving the Lord. It is for our blessing that these names are recorded here, that we may see the love of God at work in the lives of regular people like us with all their failings and mistakes. Some leaders are very strident in their judgement of those who fall and fail, and exclude people, who make mistakes and cause concern, but the Apostle Paul is so different. His human concern for all and his compassion for the person who fails is bourn out of his own sinfulness and the fact that he was the “chief of sinners” because he persecuted the church of God. God makes no mistakes in his Word nor does he mistakenly give credence to the people who wrote it. The compassion of the Lord is not less than sinful people, and the fact that Demas is included here is a comfort to the saints of God.

Zeal

“For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.”

Paul is incredulous of the life and ministry of his friend Epaphras, due to his devotion to the Lord and His work in this world. Paul sees and hears that zeal even as Epaphras prays for the work of God and the Christian believers in the churches. Epaphras has a real and genuine zeal for the Lord which shows itself in all of his life. He loves the people of God and wants the pinnacle of spiritual life for each one of them. He is zealous for their spiritual growth and sanctification and most probably was active in bring many of them to Christ and it tutoring them in the way of the Lord.

Paul pays great attention to the prayers of Epaphras and recognises the depths of the work of God in his life. His life is full of the zeal of the Holy Spirit as was the life of our Lord Jesus.

“His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”

John 2:17

As it is in Christ, the zeal for the service of the Lord has consumed Epaphras and it shows itself in his work for the Lord and in his prayers.

There were Christians in other places who also benefitted from the zeal of Epaphras. Laodicea and Hierapolis were towns nearby and many of them were also converts because of the labours and prayers of Epaphras. His scope was wide and not limited to one place or one group of people.

Epaphras was also in prison with Paul at that time, but Paul does not mention it here. Perhaps he thought the people would be so upset by the news, such was the godly regard and love that Epaphras enjoyed.

Striving

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”

What a testimony to have about your character to have in the Holy Scriptures! Epaphras is a dedicated man of God who is given over to prayer for all the saints of God and included are the saints at Colosse. Epaphras supports the Apostle Paul in the spread of the gospel but is also one of the believers at Colosse. Maybe he is part of the congregation there, but certainly he is a brother in the faith, in the united and inclusive church of Jesus Christ. He is also a devoted servant of Christ, a man of God who loves God with all his heart soul and strength. We know this because he is devoted to prayer for the saints and prays for the right things for them. Not for success and the blessings of this transient life, but for the complete will of God to be shown in their lives.

What is God’s will for His people?

That we might stand perfect and complete before Him in love.

Epaphras was one such Christian. As he sought perfection and to be complete in Christ in his own life, so he also sought it for other brothers and sisters, and prayed for the people in Colosse with real devotion. His prayers were constant and took much effort as he petitioned the Lord for the people he knew in the church. His preoccupation was the will of God, knowing that God is sovereign and therefore His will for each one of us is best. We resist His will to our detriment, and therefore we strive to enter into the reality of that perfect obedience that marked the life of our Saviour and Lord. It is also the mark of salvation in the life of Epaphras who serve the Lord Jesus with the full vigour of love.

What do we strive for?

Mostly we strive to life and to do our best and make our way in the world, but the striving here is in spiritual considerations which come first in the lives of these godly men.

“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33

Epaphras had his priorities right and has put the Lord first in his life and is reaping the spiritual wellbeing of that mindset. He lacks nothing and he has strength to serve others because the Lord honours his choice to put the kingdom first and not himself. Earthly considerations hold no weight for him, as he trusts in the Lord and works hard knowing that the reward waits for him in the coming kingdom of heaven, to which he belongs.

Comfort

“and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.”

Though these fellow workers mentioned here by Paul are his close confidants, labourers and suffering with him in the gospel, they are all of the circumcision, yet have given their lives over to the service of the Gentile believers. Their love is for the people of God and not just a sect that they could belong to. They view the church of Christ from the wide and inclusive perspective that all who believe are part of that kingdom and are precious together in the Lord. They have supported the Apostle Paul in his ministry to the Gentile people, and stood with him against those who would keep out the chosen and elect people, who are not of Jewish descent, from the church of Jesus Christ.

They are a reliable body of close friends who have supported him and encouraged him in the service of the Lord, and he to them. They have all suffered together and this has been a bond that has kept them close and in touch with each other, especially in their spiritual lives.

The name Justus, synonymous with Jesus or Joshua, was common in Jewish circles and denoted a man especially given over to righteous living and holiness of life. Some has the suffix “the just” attached to their names afterwards to demonstrate in their lives that they were devoted to godly living and devoted to God.

These names comforted the Apostle Paul with prayers, reading the Scripture, standing in for him and being a witness with him in the spread of the Gospel on Jesus the Christ. We are fortunate indeed if we have such support in our lives and Christian people who will stand with us and beside us. Nevertheless, when all desert us, we are never abandoned by our precious Lord Jesus, who is a constant and faithful companion and friend to His people.

Paul eventually felt the sting of rejection and isolation, but the Lord stood with Him in his difficulties when none else was able. He speaks of this in his letter to another brother in the Lord, Timothy.

“At my first defence, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

2 Timothy 4:16-18

The message is everything. What happens to us is in the mercy of the Lord and the Lord will keep us when we are faithful to Him. We will find ourselves alone at times and in these days of great falling away, it is common, but the Lord stands with His people and will never leave us or forsake us…

Receive

“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”)”

Here is another godly brother mentioned who is a fellow prisoner with the Apostle Paul, in chains for the sake of Christ. He was involved with Paul in his many exploits for the faith, including being arrested at Ephesus. He was obviously a dear brother to Paul and Paul is keen that his greeting go to the saints at Colosse.

Also, Mark, otherwise called John Mark, which is striking as Mark disappointed the Apostle at one point in his life by going back from the ministry. After a fruitless mission, the young servant of the Lord is discouraged enough to leave the ministry and return home. Paul was disappointed by this and it caused an argument between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas took John Mark with him in his ministry where he again proves himself. John mark is also the writer of the book of Mark, and loves the Lord Jesus with all his heart. Now, Paul has forgiven and reinstated him into the ministry and in good faith.

Barnabas also is a contender for the faith and a faithful administrator in the church. Even though he had a sharp disagreement with the Apostle Paul, there is now no rancour and the division has healed up and the characters involved have been changed and reunited by the Lord.

It is refreshing to reads the nuts ands bolts of the relationships of these mighty men of God, who had differences that seemed to tear them apart, yet they were able to resolve their issues and unity in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each has proved themselves as faithful servants of the Lord, but all having failures and misunderstandings as well. They are united in doctrine and faith and are all subject to the teaching of the scripture and therefore have all things in common. There is no theological divisions or arguments about the truth of God, for all are devoted to the Scripture and to the Lord. The Lord honours them with unity and peace. They support each other in the spread of the gospel and in the encouragement of the churches.

Paul is urging the Christians at Colosse to welcome all who come with Paul’s blessing and commandment.

Together

“together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.”

This Onesimus is also a brother with a godly character in Colosse who has the same vision as Paul and the Apostles. The Onesimus who is identified as a converted slave to Philemon who ran away and found himself with the Apostle Paul, could well be this person, but we do not really know. Whoever he was, he was a reliable servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ and has been given this trusted job to do in the church at Colosse.

This is not a one way street of help or encouragement, but is the sharing of the churches of God with each other. Paul is eager to know the news from Colosse but Tychicus and Onesimus will also relate to them the news from Paul. The closeness of the relationships in the New Testament churches is very touching and the levels of trust, are as is fitting in Christ.

Paul entrusts his work to these two brothers and they are faithful to their dearly beloved brother Paul, who is in chains.

John Calvin maintains that it was not the runaway slave that is spoken about here, who he labels with a bad character, even thought a converted brother! John Gill identifies the name Onesimus, with the slave of Philemon and tradition holds that he became a trusted and loyal servant of the early church.

Personally, I prefer the view of John Gill, since he ascribes change and personal holiness to the converted runaway slave and gives space for the grace of God in his life. What a great testimony that God will lift up those who are sinful and change them and make them what they are not, trustworthy and loyal. It is the same for us. We are all moral failures and under the wrath of a holy God, until we repent from our sinful mind and deeds and put our trust in the Saviour Christ. All those who have done mighty things for God are those who are clear about their natural status before God and always conscious of what they have been saved from. God will use the humility of the repentant sinner to do His work and the result will be great glory for His name.

There are some who will label people according to the multitude of their sins and the magnitude of their failures and exclude them for service and usefulness. This is a great pity and indicates the presence of some judgmental self-righteousness that is willing to keep people down and reminded them that they are failures and always to feel the effect of that. God does not operate in this way, but freely forgives and wipes out the remembrance of all sin from the record of the penitent sinner.

Paul himself was always conscious of his gross sins and therefore able to forgive the sinful failures, which is all of us! and include them in the work of the Lord. Paul calls Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, and so he was – forgiven and lifted up to usefulness and a blessing to the church of Jesus Christ.

Purpose

“I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,”

The sense of openness in the early church was so striking. There were no divisions and the Christians shared with each other sacrificially and continually as there was need. Paul is sending Tychicus to the church in Colosse to find out what they with need and to comfort them in whatever way they needed to be comforted. He did not just trust to hearsay but sent the trusted Tychicus to help and support.

There was complete lack of suspicion as they all suffered for the sake and witness of Christ. Perhaps today our problem is that we are too comfortable and feel we can always meet our own needs. There is lack of doctrinal and spiritual unity and everything has become fragmented because of the prevalence of the falsehoods and fake teachers that have infiltrated the church of Jesus Christ. There are names that name the Name but are not like the Name!

Paul was so like Christ that it was easy to trust him and what he said. He is vindicated by the Spirit of God and his word remains with us today. His first interest was the Christian people in the individual churches and everyone could see it because of the kind of life he led. His sacrifice was as the obedience of Christ, who gave all for our sake.

Today, we have many who feather their own nests and take from the saints of God, leaving many in hardship while they live privileged and well provided-for lives. This should not be. We look out for ourselves and not the things of Christ or the struggling people of God. Church money is spent on fixtures and fitting and salaries and members suffer with low paid work and are barely able to meet the temporal needs of family. We have many ways to justify what we do, but there should be no gaps in the provision for each other in our church societies.

How much is spent on paying staff to do outreach? Why does everyone not work at a job to provide for their own needs, as the Apostle Paul did? Why is there one privileged person who must be supported by others to do “church work?” It has a negative impact on the fellowship and a disempowering effect on the body of believers.

Actual church members remain inadequate and unable to share with others the good news about Christ and the heavenly home. Our characters are suspect as we remain reticent and infants in reaching out to others, saints or sinners! We are passive recipients of talk that seems to go nowhere.

If Paul and Tychicus operated like we do today, the church would have died a long time ago. There is a distinct feeling of winding down and a terrible apathy about spiritual issues in too many places and in too many Christian lives. We are accountable and we are failing the younger generations. Predator leaders prey on the flock of God, it is true, but the sheep allow it and appear spiritually gullible. It is a non-virtuous circle of lack of personal devotion and a dirth of sound doctrine being taught. The lack of both feeds on the failure that this produces, and our churches are reduced to social circles like the world, and just as unjust.

The preaching of the gospel is forgotten. Neither Saint nor sinner benefit from this and the church shrinks in every way. Leaders are desperate for money to keep going and so pander to the emotional needs, rather than the faithful preaching of the Word, another non-virtuous circle ensues. The Lord weeps. Paul would weep. We do not. Apathy reigns and our purpose is lost. What if Tychicus would visit us today? Who would he turn to, to help the churches of God? Each looks out for its own. We need the Lord Jesus to rescue us again from this present evil age. The sleeping saints need to awaken and search for God again, repent and turn from indolence and self-satisfaction. We need the honest and open preaching of the eternal Good News that transforms lives and turns our hearts to the Lord for good.

Daughters of the Kingdom

Women who glorify God