Closing Greetings - Colo 4:10-18

The Comforters Aristarchus, Mark, Justus (10-11)

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Aristarchus. Based on something observed, obviously not in Scripture there is a supposition that he was a convert of Paul during his ministry in Thessalonica since this man is a Macedonian from Thessalonica. There is a traditional belief that he was in fact a Macedonian Jew but does contain scripture support, although some scholars think he was not even a Jew.

He was an associate and a travel companion of Paul on numerous mission trips. ( Acts 27:2) “And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.”

He was with Paul during riot in Ephesus ( Acts 19:29 “So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.” Acts 20:4 “Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.”

His again on the third personal greeting list on epistle to Philemon. Philemon 23-24 “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.”

All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture (Aristarchus)

Tradition says that he was martyred in Rome during Nero’s persecutions.

John Mark is a son of Mary (Acts 12:12

Acts 12:12 ESV

When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

He is known by two names as John which was a Hebrew name known and used by his friends and relatives and Roman name which was known in business world same verse above.

Cousin of Barnabas ( Colossians 4:10 “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),”

Missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas ( Acts 13:5) “When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.”

He is known to be once a deserter ( Acts 13:13 “Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,”

He is by church tradition the human author of the Gospel of Mark.

And Jesus who is called Justus. Not much is said about this all that is known is that he was Paul Jewish companion who was present at the time writing the to the Colossians

English Standard Version Chapter 4

These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

The word comfort is paregoria (παρηγορία, 3931), primarily “an addressing, address,” hence denotes “a soothing, solace,” Col. 4:11.¶ A verbal form of the word signifies medicines which allay irritation (Eng., “paregoric”).

Paregoric is used to relieve diarrhea. It decreases stomach and intestinal movement in the digestive system. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 111.

These 3 reduced pain or discomfort

Mark 10:28-30

English Standard Version (Chapter 10)

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 10:29–31.

Despite all the opposition persecution that Paul went through in the ministry of the Gospel, he was not without someone to minister to his need. Now from this we can see that Christ promise of a hundredfold for those have left everything necessary to life for the sake of the Gospel is not empty. the fact is that there are third personal greetings which signify he had friends who were obedient to Christ by being there for Paul.

do we need to take note of those around us who care deeply about us?

are we suppose to take key interest in others around us ?

Are we still holding to those things that should be left behind for the sake of Gospel ? those things that we are families with.

How does that demonstrate our faith in Christ?

The gospel commission is not a commission to comfort but to abandonment but then it has a promise of Comfort from Jesus Christ our Lord.