February 7th 2021 – Colossians 4:7-18

"Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 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 fulfil the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you."

Colossians 4:7-18

Paul uses similar warm and affectionate descriptions for the others who send their greetings (vv 10-12). This repetition of 'fellow servant/prisoner/workers' emphasises the bond of mutual support and mutual ministry that Paul was so conscious of as he laboured for the Master. They worked shoulder to shoulder for the Kingdom of God. How can anyone decry Paul's ministry as that of an autocratic one-man band? What a fallacy and reversal of the truth! Paul is not only conscious of the fact that each of his fellow-workers are faithful ministers and fellow servants, he is equally conscious of his own weakness. He is conscious of his need of receiving love and support from his fellow-workers (v 11). Again we see the humanity of the apostle and his real honesty in admitting his need. There is no stiff upper lip here! Every Christian, and Paul was no exception, needs comfort and encouragement. In fact it is generally the case that those who are called to serve the Lord at the front line, with all of the pressures, burdens and discouragement of the heat of the battle, will have even greater need of comfort and encouragement, than usual. This is how vulnerable the great apostle to the Gentiles was. Despite his position in Christ and the way he had been used mightily in the work of the Lord; despite his having learned the secret of contentment, in everything, even in prison (Philippians 4:11-13); despite his having proved the sufficiency of Christ in the midst of all the arduous and testing battles of his ministry (Romans 8:37); even in that position of strength in Christ, there is a genuine recognition of weakness and need, a recognition of the costly price to be paid for gospel service which is effectual and fruitful. His final appeal to the Colossians, written in his own handwriting (v 18) is a poignant reminder of the cost and the burden and of the apostle’s need. Content and victorious he was but his imprisonment still brought grief and distress to his heart and he needed the prayers of the fellowship, he depended on these very prayers. Surely this is the reality for every servant of the Lord, victorious yet groaning, and if we would be faithful to our stewardship in the gospel we must remember their bonds, of whatever form they take.