COLOSSIANS 4:7–18 FINAL GREETINGS

Two esteemed friends (vv. 12–14)

epaphras, the man with a single passion that they might be mature. It is generally accepted that Epaphras was the pastor of the church at Colosse and its founder; Paul identifies him as ‘one of you’ (cf. 1:7). He also planted the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis and was now in Rome visiting Paul in prison to take advice about the situation in the church in Colosse. His heart was warm towards his friends back in Colosse and his prayers were fervent and specific on their behalf. He was praying that they might ‘stand perfect and complete in all the will of God’ (v. 12). He was a man of prayer.

How he prayed. The phrase ‘labouring fervently’ speaks of him wrestling and striving in prayer. The same Greek is used in 1:29 of a man toiling at work until he is thoroughly weary, and in 1 Corinthians 9:25 of an athlete determined to win the race. We get the English word ‘agonizing’ from it. In 1 Timothy 6:12 it describes the soldier fighting for his life on the battlefield. True intercessory prayer demands self-sacrifice, dedication and determination.

What he prayed. ‘That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God’ (v. 12). There was need for them to grow up spiritually and be mature in the things of Christ, remaining firm in the truth. Paul preaches to achieve it (1:28) and Epaphras prays for it to be so. The word ‘perfect’ (teleioi) means ‘to finish the process’. There is, in New Testament religion, such a thing as progressive sanctification: an increase in holiness and the possibility of growing into a deeper love for God, Christ and the brethren (see Phil. 3:12–15). The Colossians are complete positionally (2:10) but here the will of God is in view so that they will be able to resist the ‘spoilers” errors (cf. 1:9). Epaphras prays that they will persevere in the faith, in accordance with the will of God, and that their commitment to the truth in Christ Jesus their Lord will continue.

luke, the man with a special talent who is the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts. He was a companion of Paul during his missionary journeys and accompanied him to Jerusalem and during his dangerous journey to Rome (Acts 16:10–17; 20:6–16, 21, 27–28; 27:1–8—note the ‘we’ references). Luke, a Gentile Christian, probably hailed from Antioch. He was a medical doctor and as such was a very valuable travelling companion to Paul and his team. Luke is called the ‘beloved physician’ and when we remember what Paul said in 2 Corinthians about his health problems, which he called ‘a thorn in the flesh’ (2 Cor. 12:7), there can be no doubt that Luke was of great help to him personally. Besides this, Luke has proved to be a historian of highest quality. His account of the historical Jesus is on a par with the other Gospel writers, and his history of the beginnings of Christianity in the book of Acts is unsurpassed. What he has written has proved, over two millennia, to be very reliable indeed.

One endangered soul (v. 14b)

demas, the man with a sad future  is something of an enigma. As part of Paul’s missionary team he proved to be a valuable helper, but we remember him most because of what Paul wrote of him in 2 Timothy. He is listed there among many of the same companions found in Colossians 4, but here Timothy is told ‘Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world’ (2 Tim. 4:10). This was not only a physical but also a spiritual separation. He had succumbed to worldliness. This reminds us of the Parable of the Sower and the consequences of the seed not falling on ‘good ground’ (Luke 8:4–15). Sadly, in the New Testament there is no record of his restoration. This is a reminder that Christians need to make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).

Those who received greetings (vv. 15–17)

Nymphas or possibly Nympha a woman (v. 15)

Having brought greetings from his companions, Paul now requests that his words be passed on: ‘Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and Nymphas.’ The church in Laodicea, or part of it, met in the house of Nymphas. We have no other information about him but can assume that he willingly supported the growing church in his own town and offered it hospitality. This reminds us that the early church met in private homes (Acts 12:12; 16:40), with the church in Colosse meeting in the house of Philemon (Philem. 2). The Epistle to the Colossians is also sent to the church that meets at Laodicea, so that the message could be shared as an act of Christian friendship and evangelism (v. 16). Is this an example of consecutive preaching in the early church? At the very least we see the gathered church hearing and meditating on the Word of God (see Acts 20:7).

The Laodiceans (vv. 15–16)

What is ‘the epistle from Laodicea’? Is it:

A letter written from Laodicea? John Calvin supported this view, which was first mooted in the fourth or fifth century A.D.

A letter written by Paul from Laodicea and now lost?

The letter written and sent by Paul to Philemon? If Philemon lived in Colosse, this would be unlikely.

The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians? This theory has many advocates but lacks conclusive proof.

A letter written by Paul to Laodicea written at the same time as this epistle but now lost? If we remember that Tychicus would need to travel through Laodicea to go to Colosse it would seem strange that there was no letter from Paul. Why leave Laodicea out? Not all of Paul’s letters have been preserved (see, for example, 1 Cor. 5:9). There is an apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans which was made between A.D. 300 and 400 to fill in the gap in the manuscripts, but by the eighth century it was ‘rejected by all’ (Jerome).

There is the possibility that there was no letter at all! If there was, why the greetings in v. 15?

None of the above throws any doubt on the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture.

Archippus (v. 17)

Archippus was a member of the church in Colosse. Some think he was the son of Philemon and Apphia. Paul speaks to him directly, as he must faithfully discharge the ministry he has received ‘in the Lord’. Archippus was given:

a personal message: ‘take heed’. At the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Lord Nelson is said to have told his sailors and marines that ‘England expects every man to do his duty’; this is no less true of the Lord of the churches. The Lord Jesus Christ expects all believers to do their duty by discharging the ministry given to them, whether in preaching, teaching, leading or serving in the local church. All the believers’ talents are to be fully utilized in the service of Christ (Matt. 25:14–30). This was the same exhortation which Paul gave to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16).

a public message: ‘Take heed to the ministry you have received in the Lord’. This exhortation was given in support of Archippus and the ministry he was called by God to discharge. What was this ministry? Perhaps he was the elder in charge while Epaphras was gone (as some suggest), or one of the body of elders and deacons? Whatever it was, he could not run from his responsibility now that Paul had so openly spoken of it! The Lord expects us to do his will when vows have been made.

a pointed message: ‘fulfil it’. Archippus obviously needed this exhortation, but why? Had he lost heart (2 Cor. 4:1, 16)? Had he lost his love for the brethren? Had he found the office to which he was called too demanding, and did he now want to relinquish it? We just do not know. But we can be sure that the Holy Spirit meant him to hear this. God wanted him to complete the work he had received from Christ his Lord.

Final thoughts (v. 18)

Remember Paul’s chains

Paul’s custom was to dictate his letters (Rom. 16:22; Gal. 6:11) and then write a few words of greeting with his own hand at the end to give authentication (2 Thes. 3:17; 1 Cor. 16:21). Because the letter is written by Paul, it is authoritative for faith and practice in the churches. He reminds the Colossians of his ‘chains’. This is a very human touch that indicates his need for prayer support. Those in the service of Jesus Christ are not immune to hardship or injustice in a fallen world. Suffering is ordained by God for believers (Job 2; Gen. 39:6–21; 2 Tim. 3:12), our Saviour being the chief example of this (Isa. 53:7–8). Paul knows that prayer will help (2 Cor. 1:11).

Daily grace

‘Grace be with you.’ Paul began with grace (1:2) and ends with it. We start the Christian life because of God’s grace freely given (Eph. 2:8) and we require it until the end of the journey. Paul speaks to all the Colossian believers (the pronoun ‘you’ is plural). They need grace to keep them from falling under the control of the ‘spoilers’, and to keep them strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Grace is necessary to do God’s will, fulfil his work and live holy lives. Christ promises grace right to the end (Matt. 28:20; 2 Cor. 12:9). ‘Amen’ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word meaning ‘surely’, from the root meaning ‘to be firm’. It is used to express agreement (Deut. 27:15; 1 Kings 1:36) and is the expression of agreement used by the churches (1 Cor. 14:16; Rev. 5:14). It means ‘So let it be’. It is also translated as ‘verily’ in the AV, ‘most assuredly’ in the NKJV and ‘I tell you the truth’ in the NIV (cf. John 3:16).^[1]

 

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