The Book of Colossians Week #10: Colossians 4:10-18 Instructor: Dr. Ernie Zarra

I. Introduction: A Little Review about Friends A. What are the qualities of “good friends”? B. Specific biblical qualities of a “friend.” 1. Proverbs 17:17 2. Proverbs 18:24 3. John 15:13 4. James 4:3-5 C. What would you say your friends’ strong points are as Christians? D. What do you think they would say that our strong points are?

II. From the Prison: Remembrance and Impact A. Tychicus (Colossians 4:7-8): A Gentile convert from Ephesus; Selected with Trophimus to take offerings from the Ephesian congregation and join Paul’s party in journeying to Jerusalem. After Paul’s arrest, imprisonment, and trip to Rome, Tychicus was a helpful messenger and representative for Paul to various churches. He carried Paul’s letters to the Ephesians, and possibly the second letter to the Corinthians. Legend has it that Tychicus became Bishop at Chalcedon in Asia Minor, and later died a martyr. B. Onesimus (Colossians 4:9): The runaway slave that became a Christian under Paul. He is the subject of the Book of Philemon. Onesimus had stolen some of his master’s money and left. He encountered Paul, probably at Rome, and ministered to Paul as a servant. Onesimus was recommended to Philemon as a Christian brother, not as a slave, because of his conversion to Christ. Tradition has it that Onesimus became a trusted and respected leader in the church, although the legends are confusing and could refer to several persons of the same name. C. Aristarchus (Colossians 4:10): Loyal co-worker with Paul. He was Paul’s constant companion at the close of the apostle’s life, traveling with him from Troas to Jerusalem, and from Jerusalem to Rome. He also shared Paul’s imprisonment, while in Rome. According to tradition, Aristarchus died a martyr under Nero’s persecution. D. Mark (Colossians 4:10): Cousin of Barnabas and companion of Paul. Mark’s mother, Mary, was of some means and influence in Jerusalem. Her house was a meeting place for some of the earliest followers of Jesus, directly after the Resurrection. Paul was disturbed at Mark’s desertion on their trip to Cyprus, but later asked the Colossian Church to welcome him. Mark was probably with Peter at Rome just prior to Paul’s execution. Tradition states that Mark died a martyr. E. Jesus, who is also called Justus (Colossians 4:11): A Jewish companion to the Apostle Paul, who later converted to Christ. When Paul was first a prisoner at Rome, Justus looked after him. He joined Paul in sending greetings to the Christians at Colossae. No other details about his life are known. F. Epaphras (Colossians 4:12-13): One of the Apostle Paul’s co-workers and friends. He was from Colossae, and founded the church in his home town. He was looked up to as a leader in the church in Asia, and came to visit Paul in prison in Rome to report on the church in his area. Seized by the Romans, he was thrown into prison with Paul. Some of Paul’s deepest tributes are applied to Epaphras. Uncertainty exists surrounding the rest of his life. G. Luke (Colossians 4:14): A physician, friend, and co-worker of Paul. He was an educated non-Jewish man. He accompanied Paul on his missionary journey that ended in Jerusalem. Tradition has it that Luke either died a natural death, or was martyred. H. Demas (Colossians 4:14): Shared Paul’s hardships during the first part of his prison term in Rome. Demas fell in love with the “present world” and forsook Paul. It seems Demas was lured away from the faith by enticement that played to his weakness, or he simply found the going a little too tough (remember Peter’s denials?). There is no record that Demas ever returned to the faith. I. Nympha (Colossians 4:15): A woman in the small congregation at Laodicea. She was a woman of prominence and means in the community. Her house was the meeting place for the Church at Laodicea. Paul possibly mentioned her in his letter to the Colossians, knowing that the letter was to be read at her house. J. Archippus (Colossians 4:17): Co-worker of Paul, and probably the son of Philemon and Apphia, or their close relatives. Encouraged by Paul to remain faithful in his duties as a leader in the church. Nothing else is recorded about Archippus.

Name Impact in Paul’s Life and Ministry

Tychicus

Onesimus

Aristarchus

Mark

Jesus (Justus)

Epaphras

Luke

Demas

Nympha

Archippus

III. Paul’s Closing and Request (Colossians 4:18)

IV. Discussion Questions A. What do we know about God from Colossians 4:1-3? B. What is an “outsider”? (Colossians 4:5) C. How important is it to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders? (Colossians 4:5) D. What positive things are stated about the co-workers and friends of Paul? E. Why does Paul ask the Colossians to remember his imprisonment? (Colossians 4:18) F. How impacting was it that Paul notes his own writing of the greeting by his own hand? (Colossians 4:18)

V. Bringing It All Together: Colossians and Christ A. All-Powerful God 1. He is the redeemer and forgiver of sins (1:14) 2. He is the image of the invisible God (1:15) 3. He is the firstborn of all creation (1:15) 4. He has power of all things visible and invisible (1:16) 5. In Him all things are created (1:16) 6. Everything is created through Him (1:16) 7. Everything is created for Him (1:16) 8. He is before all things (1:17) 9. All things hold together in Him (1:17) 10. He is the beginning (1:18) 11. He is the firstborn from the dead (1:18) 12. In Him dwells all the fullness of deity, in bodily form (2:9) 13. He is the head over all rule and authority (2:10) 14. He was raised from the dead (2:12) 15. He makes us alive, while we are yet dead (2:13) 16. He has disarmed ruler and authorities (2:15) B. Place of Power 1. He has come to have first place in everything (1:18) 2. All the fullness of the Father dwells in Him, which pleases God (1:19) 3. He has canceled out our debt, when it was nailed to the cross (2:14) 4. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (1:22) C. Results of Christ’s Work 1. Through Christ all things are reconciled to Himself (1:20) 2. Peace has been made through the shed blood on the cross (1:20) 3. He has reconciled is to present us holy, blameless, and beyond reproach (1:22) D. Christian Life 1. He is someone in whom we place our faith (1:4) 2. He is someone who gives spiritual wisdom and understanding (1:9) 3. Christ is worthy of our daily walk (1:10) 4. He strengthens with glorious might for purposes of joyful patience (1:11) 5. Christ is the head of the body, the Church (1:18) 6. True knowledge rests in the mystery of Christ (2:2) 7. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3) 8. Christ does not take captive, as do the ensnarements of the world and its deceptive teachings (2:8) 9. He makes people complete (2:10) 10. He circumcises the spirit (2:11) 11. He forgave us all of our transgressions (2:13) 12. Christ is our life (3:4) 13. Christ is all and in all, there is no distinction (3:11) 14. The Lord forgave us, so we forgive others (3:13) 15. He rewards with an inheritance (3:24)

VI. Closing Questions for Reflection A. What do you think is the significance of Paul stating that wrote the greeting with “his own hand”? B. In what ways have we been challenged to become more like Christ? C. Who is the Christ of Colossians to YOU? What stands out in your mind? D. How will we use Colossians to witness to those on the “outside”? E. What new appreciation do we now have for Paul, and those in similar situations?