The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 216

~light C'onrusinn of similar Greek letters, servants" (oh. i. 7; iv. 7). And Mark, the Qat lie may lmoio the things about you (see co1lllin of Barne.baa, about whom you reoeived Ligh Ifoot's• Notes on some Various Read- commandments-if he should oomo to you, ings'). This is the only clause exactly welcome him (Philcm. 24; 2 'fim. iv. 11 ; ickntiool in Colossians and Ephesians. 1 Pet. v. 13). It is pleasant to find John There would be great anxiety on St. Paul's Mark, who deserted the apostle in his first ncconnt amongst the Gentile Christians missionary journey (Acts xiii. 13), and on r-rnrywhcre, and especially in the Asiatic whose e.ccount ho separated from B,irne.be.s Churches, nftcr the ominous words of his (Acts xv. 37-40) ten yeo.rs before, now address to the Ephesian elders (Acts xx. 22 fakcn again into his confidence e.nd friend- -25 : comp. vcrs. 37, 38). 'l'he Colossians ship (comp. 2 Tim. iv. 11). And indeed it had sent through Epaphras messages oflove is evident that there was no permanent to him (oh. i. S). To 1.7low that he was of estrangement between the two 11:ree.t Gentile good courage, and even in hope of a speedy missionaries; for llfork is called "cousin relea.•e (Philem. 22), would " comfort their of Barnabas" by way of recommendation hearts.'' ( comp. l Cor. ix. 6; Ge.I. ii. 1, 9, 13). Mary, Ver. 9.-With Onesimus, the faithful and the mother of John Me.rk, we.a a person of beloved brother, who is (one) of you (ver. 7; some consideration in the Church e.t Jeru- Philcm. 10, 16; eh. i. 2; l Pet. v. 12). "In so.lem (.A.cts xii. 12), and through her he Christ there is no slave" (eh. iii. 11). may have been relo.ted to Be.rno.be.s, who, Onrsirnus, like Epe.phras and Tychicus, is a though a Cypriot Jew, ho.d property near brother, w be trusted and loved (comp. Jerusalem (Acts iv. 36, 37), and was o.lso Philem. 10-17). This language strongly highly honoured by the mother Church supports the appeal of ver. l, and would (Acts ix. 27; xi. 22-24; xv. 25, 26). Mark farther the purpose of the apostle's inter- is, moreover, a link between the Apostles cession to Onesimus' master. And Onesi- Paul and Peter. It is to the house of his rnus even shares with the honoured Tychicus mother that the lo.tter betakes himself on in the pri,·ilege of being the apostle's mes- his escape from Herod's prison (Acts xii. 12). senger! All things that are happening here In 1 Pet. v. 13 he appears, o.long with they will make known to you (ver. 7; Eph. Silvauus (Silas), St. Paul's olrl comrade, in Yi. 21). There is, therefore, no need for any St. Peter's compo.ny, who calls him "my detailed account of the writer's circum- son." St. Peter was then e.t Babylon, where stances. The solicitude whi~h he assumes Mark may ha.ve o.rrived at the end of the that 1hese stranger Colossians ( eh. i. 8; ii. journey eastwards which St. Paul here 1) feel on his behalf shows how command- contemplates his undertaking. The striking ing his ascendancy over the Gentile Churches correspondence of language and thought had b0".,ome. between St. Pater's First Epistle (addressed, Ver. 10.-Ariste.rchus, my fellow-prisoner, moreover, to Churches of Asia Minor) and s:i.luteth you (Philem. 2, 23; Phil. ii. 25; those of St. Paul to the Ephesians and Rom. xvi 7). Aristarchus, as e. Thessa- Colossie.us (o.ud, in au equal degree, the.t to lonian, accompanied the apostle to Jeru- the Romans) suggests the existence of some salem, e.lon:;s ,vith Tychicns the Asian (Acts special connection at this time between th& XL 4), and was his companion at least two writers, such as mo.y well have been during the first part of his voyage to Rome afforded by llfork, if, leaving Rome soon (Acts xxvii. 2). In Philem. 23, 24 his name o.fter the despatch of these letters, he follows that of l\fark as a "fellow-worker" travelled in their track by we.y of Asi11 Minor (comp. "l"er. 11) and of Epapbras "my to join St. Peter o.t Babylon. At the time fellow-prisoner" (comp. Rom. xvi. 7). of St. Pnul's second imprisonment, about "Fellow-prisoner" (a.lxµ.a71.w-r6s, captive, four yeo.rs later, ]\fork is again in Asia pri6oner of war) differs from the "prisoner" Minor in the neigl,bourhood of Timothy, (Mrrµ.ws, one in bonds) of Eph. iii. 1; iv. 1; o.ud the apostle desires his services at Rome Pbilem. 9; 2 Tim. i. 8. The supposition (2 Tim. iv. 11). When or how the Colossians that these men were permitted as friends to ho.tl received a,lreo.dy directions concerning share St. Paul's captivity in turn, is con- ]\fork, we he.ve no mea.ns of knowing. His jectural (see ]\foyer). Possibly the incident journey appeo.rs to ho.ve been p9stpoued. recorded in Acts xi.x. 29 was attended by The npostle must beforfl this have com- soma temporary joint imprisonment of St. municated with the Colossians. 'fhe visit Paul a,utl Aristarchns. As "a soldier of of Epaphrns to Ilome may have been due to Christ J esw,," the apostle was himself some communication from him. "If he now "a prisoner of war" (2 Tim. ii. 3, 4; should come to you, give him o. wolc, me," is 2 Cor. x. 3-G); and therefore thoso who the request the a.postle now makes. shared his sufferings were his "fellow- Ver. 11.-And Jesua, c11llod Justus-the pris0ncrs,'' as they we1·c his" fellow-soldiers" only name of this list wo.nting in Philemon. (P!iikm. 2; Phil. i. 30) e.nd Ilia "follow- Nor is this person m(mtio11cd el~owhero. all. tv. 1-18.] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 21'.":