Colossians 4:7-18 a

A comparison with Paul’s other letters shows that the Colossian conclusion is unusually rich in personal messages and greetings.

Only the conclusion of the Roman epistle can be compared with it.

Its purpose is self-evidently to strengthen the apostle’s ties with the Christian people in Colossae as well as with the churches in the neighborhood (15–16).

That’s the point of our passage tonight.

Paul clearly believes that his imprisonment is not dangerous for himself alone;

it involves real perils for the churches from which he is forcibly separated.

While he is unavoidably absent, the philosophers are free to step in and cause mischief.

And in fact this is what has happened in the churches of the Lycus valley.

Underlying the entire Colossian letter is this desire of Paul’s

that the closest possible links between himself and these churches should be forged.

He wants them to realize how closely he is concerned for them, and

how intimately he feels himself to be with them in their problems (cf. 2:1–5).

It is for these reasons that he quietly emphasizes that, because of what he has heard, he is not ignorant of the kind of people they are;

for has he not close personal knowledge of people such as Onesimus and Epaphras

of whom it can be said ‘he is one of yourselves’ (verses 9, 12)?

Paul knows about their affairs (verses 15–17), and wants them to know about his (verses 7–9).

He well knows that without frequent news of one another no relationship can flourish.

He has no desire to be a general so far removed from the front lines that confidence withers and dies.

He sees that good communications are the essence of influence, and acts accordingly.

Nor does the apostle give any impression to them that his authority is in temporary abeyance because of his imprisonment.

He sends Tychicus and Onesimus on their mission (verses 7–9);

· he reinforces instructions about Mark (verse 10):

he reinforces instructions about Mark (verse 10):

· he requires that his letters be circulated to other churches (verse 16), and

he requires that his letters be circulated to other churches (verse 16), and

· he sends an urgent and public message to Archippus.

he sends an urgent and public message to Archippus (v17).

Paul is fully engaged in the life of this church!

Perhaps most interesting of all are the indications that abound in this conclusion of the sort of person Paul was.

He had a great capacity for people.

"Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.” ()

I"Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.” ()

"He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.” ()

"Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings.” () [compare , , , ]

It was not just that he remembered their names; is sufficient proof of this.

He also cared deeply for many of them.

One reason why he was loved so greatly is that he was a man who greatly loved.

At any rate, one reason why he was loved so greatly is that he was a man who greatly loved.

He had a great capacity for sharing his ministry.

Tychicus (v7) is his fellow servant, Aristarchus (v10) his fellow prisoner and also, with Mark and Justus (v10&11), one of his coworkers.

It is one thing to be glad that other men should share the pain of his imprisonment;

but it is quite another to be willing that they should share the privileges of a great ministry.

Paul brought other qualified and mature believers into a genuine partnership with himself.

In this the older churches of the West, at least, have still largely to learn from him.

He had a great capacity for supporting his lieutenants.

None ever worked for a more appreciative leader than did the helpers of Paul.

See Paul’s emphatic public approval of Epaphras (12–13; cf. 1:7). "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. "For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.” ()

"You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,” ()

BTW, Look how this man prayed:

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 of an athlete determined to win the race.

We get the English word ‘agonizing’ from it.

In 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 can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills’ (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 ‘mature’ (teleioi) means ‘to finish the process’.

There is, in the teaching of the New Testament, 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 ).

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.

But whether it was friends who apparently had risked their necks for him on one occasion, or his personal doctor Luke whom he calls “the dearly loved physician” (verse 14),

McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (pp. 92–93). Leominster: Day One Publications.

But whether it was friends who apparently had risked their necks for him on one occasion, or his personal doctor Luke whom he calls “the dearly loved physician” (verse 14),

their efforts are remarked and noticed with genuine gratitude.

It is of interest to see what Paul appreciated, and no surprise to find faithfulness.

loyalty, and hard work, high on his list (7, 9, 11, 13; again cf. , ).

Which is seen in theses people’s loyalty, and hard work, high on his list (7, 9, 11, 13; again cf. , ).

He had a great capacity for singlemindedness.

What a man Paul is for never letting up!

He wrote this letter to the Colossians with the need of their loyalty in mind (1:2).

And loyalty is the very heart of his message to them (1:7; 4:7,9).

So it is surely significant that:

· it is pointedly mentioned in this letter (1:7) and

· in this conclusion (7, 9)

· only in the parallel passages in Ephesians (1:1; 6:12).

But still more telling is the fact that the apostle will not allow his readers to escape the basic appeal of his letter,

even in this informal conclusion.

The thorough-going refutation of the fake-spiritual fullness offered by the visitors is over.

Now it is of positive Christian experience that he would speak.

The false fullness went hand in hand with immaturity (as at Corinth, e.g. ), but

he echoes the desire of their good friend Epaphras for them,

that they should be mature, and be ‘filled with everything that is God’s will’.

"Epaphras, who... is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.” ()

Perhaps, too, the exhortation to Archippus (v17) was along these lines.

At all events he is to be able to show a ‘completed’ ministry if and when the apostle comes.

So, as Paul says farewell to us, we need remember his fetters no more, for they have long since rusted away.

But we do remember his encouragement to us, that in Christ Jesus we may enjoy fullness of life and freedom, and

his exhortation to us to fulfil any ministry that we may have received while there is time.

Then there’s one endangered soul in this final group.

He’s only mentioned by name, Demas. Perhaps this is a hint of his failure to come.

Paul urgently tells Timothy, "Make every effort to come to me soon, "because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica...” ()

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.

McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 94). Leominster: Day One Publications.

He is listed there among many of the same companions found in , but

here Timothy is told ‘Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world’ ().

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’ ().

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 ().

Final thoughts (v. 18)

"I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” ()

Remember Paul’s chains

Paul’s custom was to dictate his letters (; ) and then

write a few words of greeting with his own hand at the end to give authentication (; ).

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 (; ; ), our

Savior being the chief example of this (). Paul knows that prayer will help ().

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 () 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 (; ).

‘Amen’ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word meaning ‘surely’, from the root meaning ‘to be firm’.

It is used to express agreement (; ) and

is the expression of agreement used by the churches (; ).

It means ‘So let it be’.