Text: Colossians 4:7-11

Theme: We need to have love for one another and demonstrate concern when others are struggling.

Intro:

  1. This evening, we will be looking at the people Paul mentions by name as being his helpers, fellow workers, and a comfort to him in the work of the ministry.
  2. These men had all been with Paul through some tough times and had learned to be faithful in the work of the ministry and not give up even though faced with trials and imprisonment.

 

I. Paul’s Loving Concern for Others (Vs 7-9)

  1. Paul’s beloved brother Tychicus (Vs 7-8)
    a. Tychicus was of the province of Asia, in Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the capital; see Act_20:4. It is not improbable that he was of Ephesus, and that he was well known to the church there. He also carried the letter to the Colossians Col_4:7, and probably the Second Epistle to Timothy; 2Ti_4:12. Paul also proposed to send him to Crete to succeed Titus; Tit_3:12. He was high in the confidence of: Paul, but it is not known when he was converted, or why he was now at Rome.[1] Albert Barnes, Esword
    b. Tychicus had shown himself faithful in the work of the ministry and the Apostle Paul had clearly come to trust him and his word.
    c. Paul had made it very clear through this letter that he had a heart for the church at Colosse. They were on his heart and mind, and he prayed for them continually because he desired their spiritual welfare and growth.
  2. Paul’s beloved brother Onesimus (Vs 9)
    a. Onesimus had run away from his master, Philemon, and had likely stolen some of his master’s money in order to fund his own getaway. (Philemon Vs 18-19)
    b. Paul calls Onesimus, “one of you” indicating that he was now to be accepted into the body of Christ, the local church at Colosse.
    c. This reveals the foundational truth that we are all equal in Christ and we should not treat one another as our own servants.
  3. Together, these brothers would comfort the hearts of the Colossian Christians and give them a report on the mission work that Paul was doing.

II. Paul’s Close Companions in Christ (Vs 10-11a)

  1. Paul’s fellow prisoner, Aristarchus (Vs 10a)
    a. Just to give you an idea of this mans influence, here is a short list of the verses that mention him by name.
    • Acts 19:29, Aristarchus and Gaius who are called, “Paul’s companions in travel,” are violently taken by an angry mob that wanted to kill them.
    • Acts 20:4, Aristarchus and Tychicus are both mentioned as having travelled to Troas ahead of Paul. In this verse, Aristarchus is referred to as a Thessalonian.
    • Acts 27:2, in this verse, Paul is on his way to Rome via ship. A journey that would result in shipwreck. Aristarchus is mentioned as being with Paul in board the ship.
    • Philemon vs 24, Paul mentions Aristarchus being one of his fellow labourers.

Now, we find him in prison with the Apostle Paul, sharing in his sufferings.

  1. Paul’s fellow labourers, Barnabas & Justus (Vs 10b-11a)
    a. Marcus is the same Mark who Paul refused to take with him and whose usefulness to the ministry Paul and Barnabas disagreed on.”
    b. Clearly, Mark had become a great help to the apostle Paul, despite his earlier failings.
    – A lesson to each of us is that it is important to remember that, while we may not have started out well in the Christian life, there is still time to finish well and get on fire for God.
  2. Justus, who was of the circumcision.
    a. To be of the circumcision meant that he was a Jew. The name “Jesus” was a Jewish name, and he would go by that name in his local community.
    b. The Roman equivalent to the name “Jesus” was Justus. Hence why Paul, writing from Rome, gives both names.
    c. Whoever this man was, he is noted as being one of Paul’s fellow labourers in unto the Kingdom of God.

III. Paul’s Loneliness in the Ministry (Vs 11b)

  1. It is generally understood that, while there were others who preached Christ out if envy, these were the only faithful men Paul could count on in Rome at the time.
    a. “Fellowworkers” means “Co-labourer, companion in labour, helper.”
    b. These men were willing to partner with the Apostle Paul in the work of the Gospel. Again, we need people today who will partner with us in the work.
    c. I’m sure that it wasn’t easy for these men to stand with Paul and to labour with him in the Gospel. Many times, the Apostle Paul was imprisoned and beaten or thrown out of the city, so it wouldn’t have been easy to stand with him.
  2. Paul’s comfort from fellow labourers
    a. The word translated “comfort” in verse 11 is the Greek word parègoria (par-ay-gor-ee’-ah). It means, “To address alongside, that is, consolation: – comfort.” These men had come alongside the Apostle Paul and been a comfort to him in his distresses.
    b. They had not been the proverbial cheerleading squad, standing in the back and shouting their approval. Instead, they had got down on the field with Paul and were partakers in his struggles.
    1. “What comfort the apostle had in the communion of saints and ministers! One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, who were working out their own salvation and endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. Good ministers take great comfort in those who are their fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God. Their friendship and converse together are a great refreshment under the sufferings and difficulties in their way.”[1]

    [1] Mathew Henry, Esword

Conclusion:

  1. Are you a discerning Christian. Someone who understands their own weakness and is willing to allow the Holy Spirit to apply the Word of God to the life and make the necessary changes?
  2. Do you seek to be a help and an encouragement to those who are labouring in the work of the ministry? Would you be counted a faithful brother or sister in Christ who is a comfort to others?