We have come to the end of our study of Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, and are introduced to a kind of who’s who among those who served him in getting the Gospel out to the world (Colossians 4:7-18). Tychicus was from the Roman Province of Asia, perhaps from the city of Ephesus. He accompanied Paul on his last visit to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4), when Paul was taken into custody by the Roman centurion, who, no doubt, saved Paul’s life, when the Jews wanted to stone him. Probably, Tychicus stayed with Paul, while he was imprisoned in Caesarea and then accompanied him to Rome. He isn’t mentioned by name, but Paul had a number of “friends” who sailed to Rome with him (Acts 27:3).
Tychicus was a faithful minister who worked with Paul in an effort to spread the Gospel, and he was to make known to the brethren at Colossae all of Paul’s affairs and bring back news of their state to him (Colossians 4:7-8). He would do the same for the folks in Ephesus (Ephesus 6:21, 24), which has led some to believe Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians was renamed and was originally his Epistle to Laodicea (Colossians 4:15-16).
Onesimus was a faithful brother in Christ, who, together with Tychicus, was responsible for bringing Paul’s letter to Colossae (Colossians 4:18), and would make known to the Colossians all of Paul’s affairs (Colossians 4:9). Onesimus was, himself, from Colossae, a runaway slave of Philemon, who was also a Colossian (Philemon 1:10-21). He had come to Christ under Paul’s ministry, and he also brought the letter to Philemon from Paul at Rome (Philemon 1:25).
Aristarchus was a man from Thessalonica, who had accompanied Paul on his final journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). He also accompanied him on his journey to Rome to face Caesar’s judgment (Acts 27:2), and seems to have continued with him there (Colossians 4:10). It was also Aristarchus, who, together with Gaius, was ceased and taken into the public theater at Ephesus (Acts 19:29), where Demetrius the silversmith instigated a riot in protest against Paul’s Gospel, saying their craft and wealth were at stake, because Paul preached there are no gods made with hands, and the Temple of Diana was being destroyed due to the success of Paul’s preaching (Acts 19:23-28). Nevertheless, the grace of God prevailed and Aristarchus and Gaius were released, unharmed.
Marcus, Barnabas’ nephew, who also wrote the Gospel of Mark was also at Rome with Paul (Colossians 4:10; cp. Acts 12:12). Both he and Jesus, who is called Justus were of the circumcision, vis-à-vis practicing Jews who were also Christian, and they were the only “practicing Jews” who were among Paul’s fellow workers in the Gospel (Colossians 4:11). Often, those called Judaizers were practicing Jews who were also Christian. Paul excluded Mark (Marcus) and Justice from those who were known to be Judaizers (cp. Colossians 2:8). Mark, we know, had accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, but had turned back and went to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13) after Paul had temporarily blinded a Jewish false prophet named BarJesus (also called Elymas). The matter ended in the death of James the Apostle and the imprisonment of Peter (Acts 12), which may indicate how John received his surname, Mark (Acts 12:12; cp. Romans 16:17). Later, Paul refused to take Mark on his next journey (Acts 15:37-39). However, later still, he and Paul were finally reconciled over the apparent misunderstanding (2Timothy 4:11).
Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), whom we know was responsible for Colossae receiving the Gospel (Colossians 1:7) was declared to be a servant of Christ, who also labored in prayer for not only the brethren at Colossae, but also those at Laodicea and Hierapolis, which may also be cities where he preached the Gospel.
Luke was probably a Grecian Jew, vis-à-vis a Jew of the Diaspora who had resettled in Israel, probably Jerusalem. He wrote the Gospel of Luke, specifically an apologetic, to Theophilus the then reigning high priest at Jerusalem (AD 35 to 39). Luke was Paul’s companion and fellow helper in the Gospel, as was also Demas, and they continued with Paul at Rome (Colossians 4:14).
Paul’s last command to the Colossians was that they encourage Archippus, who worked in the ministry among them at Colossae (Colossians 4:17). Finally, as was Paul’s way, no matter who wrote his epistles at his dictation, he signed each one with his own hand, asking that they remember him in his bonds (Colossians 5:18).
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