Colossians 4:7-15
Colossians 4:7-15
New King James Version (NKJV)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
My Thoughts:
- So let’s start with (vv. 7-10) we read “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)”
- Tychicus – The carrier of the letter, (compare Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21-22), Onesimus – A runaway slave from Colosse, described in the epistle to Philemon. Aristarchus. – A Frequent companion of Paul (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). All these men had one thing in command and that was they love Christ.
- In (v. 12) we read “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
- We know little about Epaphras except that he was so concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people in Colosse that he is described as “laboring fervently . . . in prayers” for them (Colossians 4:12). as pastor, I saw this kind of enthusiasm in the way new converts prayed and witnessed. But all too often, many of them gradually lost their zeal. As Christians we are called by Christ to the Salt and not to become tasteless. The question is are you the salt that Christ ask us to be?
- Let’s finish with (v. 13) “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.”
- “Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis” these two cities are on but a few miles apart on the Lycus river, both churches were founded around the same time as the one in Colossae and doubtless Epapras served them as well as the church in Colossae. Concerning Laodicea see (Rev. 3:14).
Thought of the Day
This is a very beautiful epitaph on a good man’s life. Amid all the crowding interests of Epaphras’s visit to Rome, his heart was with his friends. He strove for them in prayer. It was no passing thought that he voiced; no light breathing of desire; no formal mention of their names. It seemed as though he were a wrestler, whose muscles strained as he agonized for the prize.
He labored. We shall never know, till we stand in the clear light of haven, how much has been wrought in the world by prayer. Here, at least, there is mention of a man’s labors. Probably the work on the results of which we are inclined to pride ourselves is due less to us than we suppose, and more to unrecognized fellow laborers. Let us be careful to mingle much intercession with all our prayers, especially on behalf of Christian workers, that they may realize we are actually working and laboring beside them. F. B. Meyer
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- Read Revelation 3;14 and give me your thoughts on the Laodicean Church.
- What do you think Paul meant in (v. 10)?
- What other things do you see in the text?
Prayer Activities
- Call your Partner and discuss this devotional.
- Continue to have a prayer list and continue to praying for them.
- Pray with them and ask for the following;
- For God to help you continue to grow in Christ.
- For God to strengthen zeal for the church
- For the individuals on your pray list.
- Let’s use (Job 42:5) for today’s prayer verse.
About bobh6
40 Days of study 
We, today are Laodician. We are the church that is neither hot nor cold. We are to be telling the world of the love of our Father and we do nothing. When I say “we” I am talking of people in general. I am not talking about a few in particular. Jesus has done so much for us. He left Glory and all that it entailed to become a lowly servant to die and to save us, sinners. How can we be neither hot nor cold for Him. We have so much these days and we don’t “need the Lord. So He says we should be tried in the fire that we may have riches in heaven and be clothed in white rainment. He loves us so much! He wants us all to be saved. We must do what He asks of us, for us and for our loved ones. We don’t have to go out and ram these things down peoples throats but we can live His love and do the urging of the Holy Spirit. At our Friday night Bible study, Cheryl made the comment that the last thing the lost will see before they are destroyed is the face of Jesus as He reaches down to give them one last hug. They will see the tears on His face, the love on His face and the heartbreak that they will not be with Him in eternity.
I look at it like this, if He loved me enough to come down here and die for me, then the least I can do is live for Him.
So few workers mentioned. The path best followed is often the path less chosen and may seem lonely. It may Seem lonely when looking for human companion or comfort; but loney no, since God himself walks that path with us. The commuion we share within that intimacy is priceless. Rosi you’re right we should be walking hand in hand with God….working, confronting, giving of ourselves without reserve to hasten His day. The question is are we eager for that day? Do we want to scarifice our comforts? If the answer is no…then we really should do it, only going through the motions…we’ll do more harm that good doing it that way. It needs to be the real thing, zeal. That has to come through the Holy Spirit. We need to be faithful in the little now in order to recieve the out pouring of the Spirit. We pray, watch and wait, then let Him lead. God will show us the unjustice, the needs and needy, and supplies the zeal. God in His patience waits also…for us.
should of read…then we really shouldn’t do it
I agree, I see peole come in my church every week and sit in the pews then get up and go home. we need to be on fire for Him and then we will have fire in our lives as well.