The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 223

Vers. 7-18.-Sect. 10. Personal messages and greetings. The last section of thiR letter is of a more purely epistolary character, and is not, therefore, so directly available, as the foregoing sections for public instruction, belonging to its framework or setting as a piece of Christian teaching. Nevertheless, these closing verses have their own peculiar interest and value-great value for historical and critical purposes, connectin,; the Epistle as they do by the most authentic notes of circumstantial association with the narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, and bracing it firmly into the whole coherent structure of the history of the apostolic Church. Moreover, in the brief but pointed and striking notices here given us, aided by what we know from other sources of the persons mentioned, we may find not a little of indirect and incidental I)rofit "for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for discipline in righteousness" (2 Tim. iii. 16). I. ST. PAUL'S ASSOCIATES. 1. Tychicus, the faithful messenger. (Vers. 7, 8: comp. Eph. vi. 21; Acts xx. 4; Titus iii. 12; 2 Tim. iv. 12.) His association with the apostle in his last journey to Jerusalem, attended with so many affecting circumstances and terminating in his long imprisonment, seems to have led to a devoted attachment on the part of 'l'ychicus to St. l'aul. After returning home, as we may suppose, from Jerusalem, he had journeyed again to Rome, very possibly at the request of the Ephesian Church, to assist and comfort the imprisoned apostle and to bring back news of him. And he returns with these three priceless letters in his charge (Ephesians, Colossians, and Philernon), with Onesimus whom he is to accompany as far as Colossre, and as the bearer of reassuring tidings from St. Paul. Again, some years later, when the apostle's friends were fewer and devotion to his cause still more hazardous, we find 'l'ychicus employed on similar commissions. (1) The apostle has found him to be, what every Christian should be to his fellow-Christians, "a brother beloved; " w bat every officer of the Church, whether in higher or lower capacity, must strivti to be-" a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord," faithful to the Lord and faithful in all brotherly love and "good fidelity" to his fellow-servants. So Tychicus is a blessing both to the apostle and to the distant .A.';iatic Churches. (2) While the Christian depends for strength and consolation in the first place on the fellowship of Christ in the Spirit (2 Cor. i. 3-7; 2 Thess. ii. 16, 17; John xvi. 33), yet how precious and helpful is such communion as this with Christian friends at a distance (1 Thess. iii. G-10; Phil. iv. 10; 2 Car. vii. 6), with faithful sufferers in Christ's cause, with those who bring tidings and words of cheer from brethren far off in other lands ! ( 3) They arc, indeed, "brethren beloved" who, like 'l'ychicus, pass from land to land, from Church to sister Church, in honourable ambassage, as "the messengers of the Churches and the glory of Christ" (2 Car. viii. 23). 2. Onesimus, the converted slave. (Ver. 9.) His position and character will be more fully discussed under the Epistle to Philemou. (1) He is commended to the Christian circle at Colossre on accouut of his ch,iracter- " a faithfui and beloved brother." The apostle had learned to love and trust him, as "tht> child of his bonds," as "his very heart," for his goodness and proved fi<loliLy and helpful service to himself (Philem. 10-13). Greatly had he wished to retain him, but it was the servant's duty to return to bis master. The qualities the apostle marks in him deserve equal respect from us in whatever grade of lifo they appear. The master who fails to recognize in his loyal and humble Christian servant "a brother  220 THE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COLOSSIANS. [en. 1v. 1-18.