The Book of Colossians Pt. 52 Colossian Conclusions & One Another Ministry

Paul finished his letter to the church at Colosse by sending heartfelt love to specific brothers and sisters in Christ. He recognized those who faithfully served in gospel ministry and had various instructions for others.

Be a faithful servant of Christ and bring glory to God. 

Colossians 4:7-9  All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8)  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9)  With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Ephesians 6:21,22  But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22)  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.  

Tychicus was one of the brethren who accompanied Paul when he returned to Greece to strengthen the churches planted on his earlier journeys (Acts 20:2-4). 

In the parallel passage written to believers at Ephesus, Tychicus is called a beloved brother and faithful minister with Paul in preaching the gospel of Christ. 

Paul sent Tychicus back to Ephesus in his place to minister to that church (2 Timothy 4:12). He was also one of the men that Paul thought to send out to assist Titus in his church planting ministry (Titus 3:12).

In writing to the Colossians and Ephesians, Paul said Tychicus would comfort them concerning Paul's affairs in prison. He would also bring Paul a report on the spiritual well being of the believers in both places.

Tychicus was a hard worker, a co-laborer with Paul in gospel ministry. He was faithful, consistent, and well grounded in his faith. He had a good testimony for Christ and Paul loved him as a brother. 

Acknowledge those who faithfully serve Jesus Christ and others.  

Colossians 4:10,11  Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11)  And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 

Paul mentioned three Jewish men who were born again and who faithfully served in ministry with Paul. Aristarchus was evidently in prison with Paul. 

Marcus was Paul's nephew and Jesus also called Justus. They were workers with Paul in advancing the kingdom of God by preaching the gospel. These men were a great comfort to the apostle. 

Honor our spiritual leaders (Pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.).

Colossians 4:12,13  Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13)  For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 

Epaphras was a Christian from Colosse who may have been the one who started that church. He is the minister who contacted Paul about the issues that the Colossians faced (Colossians 1:7). 

Paul described Epaphras as a man who fervently prayed for his church family, that they would rest in Christ, realizing that they were made complete in Him. 

Epaphras also ministered at Hierapolis and Laodicea because these churches were in close proximity to each other. 

Stay in contact with other believers for mutual encouragement. 

Colossians 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 

Luke, a gospel writer and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, was with Paul along with Demas. They sent their greetings and encouragement to the church at Colosse.

Read and study and live by the inspired Word of God. 

Colossians 4:15-18  Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16) And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17) And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 18) The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

Paul sent fond greetings to a man named Nymphas who held church services in his home.

He gave instructions for the letter to be read to the church at Colosse, and then to send it to the church at Laodicea that they might read it. In addition, the church at Laodicea had a letter Paul wrote to them that he wanted the Colossians to read.

Paul mentioned a Christian named Archippus. This man was a dedicated, hard worker in gospel ministry (Philemon 1:2) and was someone Paul counted on for the work of evangelization and edification. 

The apostle had words of encouragement and exhortation for Archippus, designed to help him remain faithful in serving Jesus Christ. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

What Paul emphasized was the "one another" ministry that is vital for any church family to have. 

Following are texts containing just a few examples of "one another" ministry. Paul spoke about this 26 times in his letters to the churches, so it is a very important topic for us to study. 

"One another" ministry will occur as the Spirit of God has His way in our hearts. This is connected with learning to love and serve God first and foremost, followed by loving and serving others.

Honor one another by putting others before self.

Romans 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

What Paul demonstrated in his farewell remarks, is having genuine Christian love from one brother to another another. He is showing us that we need to put others before ourselves, just as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.

Love one another as Christ told us to do. 

Romans 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Jesus told His disciples that the world will know them by their love for one another (See John 13:34-35). The apostle John reminds us that if we say we love God but hate our brother, then the love of God is not in us. 

Receive one another with love and joy.

Romans 15:7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Receiving one another is something that Paul often reminded the churches to do. When Paul sent someone like Timothy, Titus or Epaphras to visit a church, he wanted the people to receive them with the same love and honor they have for him. 

Three times Paul spoke about greeting other Christians with a holy kiss because this is how family members greeted each other in that culture (See Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12).

Paul was promoting Christian fellowship and intimacy within each church family. We are to serve one another in love and bear each other's burdens (See Galatians 5:13; 6:2).

Patience and forgiveness for one another. 

Colossians 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Paul spoke of our need to be patient and forbearing with each other. We are to be forgiving toward each other, just as Christ Jesus forgave us. 

We have reached the end of this letter to the Colossians. I hope that we have learned much and that the Lord is showing us where we need to be changed, in order to live by His truth. 

May the Holy Spirit use the simple truths from these lessons to speak to our hearts and make us more like Jesus Christ. 

Bob