Overview

2:1 – Paul had never been to Colossians, at least he did not organized a church there, and there is no record in any of his missionary journey’s that he preached there. Paul rejoiced because there was a church there, and did not think he was slighted in any way.

How did the church get started? We are not told, except in 1:6 the gospel went into all the world and bringeth forth fruit. There is no record of where the church received its authority to exist, but we understand the religious world in those days was completely different from today. In that day, most all believers understood salvation, scriptural baptism and church authority. Today, however, there is much confusion about what the gospel is, what scriptural baptism is, and what a church is. The definitions of words has been changed, therefore it is difficult to understand what God declares to us in his word.

Apparently, Epaphras is the dear pastor of the church at Colosse. Colossians 1:7 states, As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Verse 8 declares Paul understood about the church at Colosse from their pastor, who had apparently traveled to Rome to visit with Paul, or at least visited with Paul while he was in Rome. Colossians 4:12 states that Epaphras “…is one of you…”, or a member of the church at Colosse, whom he loved dearly and cared for with all his heart. Epaphras also cared for two nearby churches, Laodicea and Hierapolis, of which little is known. Paul wrote a letter to the church at Laodicea, Colossians 4:16, which he desired to be read by the church at Colosse, and also desired the Colosse church read the letter he wrote to the Laodiceans.

Chapter 4

Verse 7-9 – Paul sends two men to Colosse: First, Tychicus, who is a brother in Christ to Paul, whose mission is to relate to Colosse the current affairs of Paul and to answer any inquiries. Second, Onesimus, a member of the church at Colosse, who apparently traveled with Epaphras to Rome to visit with Paul. Paul desires Onesimus to return to Colosse with confirmation of Paul’s affairs.

Verse 10-14 – Some believers with Paul also send their salutations.

  1. Aristarchus – The word appears five times in the Bible. This was a good man, who served God.

  2. Marcus – Used three times in the Bible – refers to a fellow-labourer of Paul.

  3. Jesus, called Justus – Occurs three times in the Bible – refers to a man who worshipped God, and one who remained faithful to Paul until his death.

  4. Epaphras – pastor of Colosse, who also cares for the believers at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Aristarchus –

  1. Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

  2. Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

  3. Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

  4. Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

  5. Philemon 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

Marcus – The Evangelist Mark, who was cousin to Barnabas, {#Col 4:10} and the companion and fellow-labourer of the Apostles Paul (Philem 24) and Peter. {#1Pe 5:13} (copied from Smith’s Revised Bible Dictionary – On-Line Bible – topic “Marcus”)

Jesus, called Justus:

  1. Surname of JOSEPH, or BARSABAS, who was selected as one suitable to take the place of Judas Iscariot. Acts 1:23 – And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

  2. A worshipper of God at Corinth, into whose house Paul entered when he abandoned the synagogue. Acts 18:7 – And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

  3. Christian at Rome, also called JESUS, whose salutation Paul sent to the Colossian saints. #Col 4:11.