COLOSSIANS 4:7-11
FAITHFUL FRIENDS
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
SUSIE: Tychicus was a Gentile convert . . .
SUSAN: . . . which helps to prove Paul’s point that the Gospel, salvation, is for the Gentile as well as the Jew.
SUSIE: He had been with Paul on various occasions and was quite capable in ministry:
Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Acts 20:4
Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
2 Timothy 4:12
As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
Titus 3:12
SUSAN: Tychicus was Paul’s roving reporter, his messenger, entrusted to carry the letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and his friend Philemon and to give them all a first-hand report of Paul’s well-being.
Colossians 4:8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
SUSIE: Paul sent Tychicus to re-assure the churches that he, Paul, was doing well . . .
SUSAN: . . . and to encourage, strengthen, and fortify the believers in Ephesus and Colossae.
Colossians 4:9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
SUSIE: Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colossae, but Paul had led him to the Lord. He was now sending him back to his owner, Philemon, along with a letter on his behalf. We will study that letter after Colossians. Stay tuned for more on Onesimus. He would be able to report on Paul’s work along with Tychicus.
Colossians 4:10-11 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
SUSIE: Aristarchas was a Jewish believer from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4, 27:2) and a companion of Paul in Ephesus, Jerusalem and Rome. Apparently, he was imprisoned in Rome along with Paul.
We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
Acts 27:2
SUSAN: Marcus (Mark) was the nephew of Barnabas, the encourager. Barnabas was the bridge for Paul’s acceptance into the church at Jerusalem. He had accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey.
Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:27
SUSIE: Paul and Mark had a falling out when Mark left in the middle of a missionary journey but had re-connected by Paul’s imprisonment in Rome; and Mark was now a faithful encourager to his mentor.
Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:36-41
SUSAN: Jesus, known as Justus, was another Jewish believer and fellow-laborer. He exhorted Paul and ministered along-side him. These three men assisted and bolstered Paul up with the blessing of friendship, or as we call it—familyship.
SUSIE: Paul instructed those who would read this letter to receive Mark if he came to them. This was his way of endorsing Mark’s ability to minister among them.
QUESTION: What can we learn from Paul’s words about his fellow-believers? Were friendships valued by Paul? Does it surprise you that even Paul needed comfort and encouragement?
ACTIVITY: Write a note of encouragement to one of your friends or even one of the ministers you are now praying for weekly. In fact, when you feel led to pray for someone, jot a quick note to let them know you prayed! It can be an email or post on social ministry, but a handwritten notecard can really boost a person’s spirit.