The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 224

beloved in the Lord," is wanting in the simplicity and elevation of the Christinn character, aud has yet to learn that "in Christ J csus there is neither bond nor free" (eh. iii. 11; Gal. iii. 28). It was, however, for Philemon and his Colossian friends II severe test of Christian conviction and of their confideuce in St. Paul to be required to take back this runaway slave as "a faithful and beloved brother." (2) He is commended to them by his Co'lossian origin. "Who is one of you." It is a natural and kindly feeling that prompts this reference. Ties of neighbourhood and early association as well as those of kindred, are providentially formed, and belong to the divinely :on- stituted framework of human life (Acts xvii. 26). This claim of Onesimus is not destroyed by his being a slave, at the very bottom of the social scale; nor was it forfeited by his misconduct. Now that he repents and returns, he is to be received by his Christian follow-townsmen as one of themselves. 3. Aristarchus, the devoted comrade. (Ver. 10.) He was a representative or the Macedonian Churches (Acts xx. 4), who were dearest t-0 the apostle of his children in the faith (1 Thess. ii. 19; Phil. i. 5) in writing to whom he laid aside his official title and was simply Paul, whom alon; he allowed to minister to his personal needs (Phil. iv. 10-18; 2 Cor. xi. 8-10). And he, along with Luke, shared the hardships of the apostle's perilous winter voyage to Rome (Acts xxvii. 2). Indeed, he had been with him before he set out from Ephesus, and was seized by the Ephesian mob at the time of the riot there, being evidently a p~rson of some note and distinction. We know nothing more of bis services to the cause of Christ, beyond this record of his assiduous and self-sacrificing attendance on St. Paul. How much the apostle, with his physical infirmities a.nd his sensitive nature, owed to such friendship, and how much the Church owes on his account, we cannot tell. Those who may not have great gifts for public usefulness may serve Christ most effectually oftentimes by serving his servants, by their private friendship and aid cheering the hearts and strengtheniug the hands of those on whom fall the l,eavier responsibilities of the Church's care and strife, and who but for such timely help might haply sink beneath their burdens. Little as we know of this man, with what a bright distinction his name is marked, and what a place of honour will he his in the book of life, whom the apostle designates," Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, who has been a comfort to me" l 4. Mark, the recoTJered friend. (Ver. 10.) He, like Onesimns to his master, had been "aforetime unprofitable" to St. Paul (Acts xiii. 13; xv. 36-41); and his unprofitableness had caused a serious breach between the two great Gentile missionaries. But now, and again at a later time, he is marked out as "useful for ministry" (2 Tim. iv. 11). St. Paul's firmness and fidelity in refusing, at whatever cost, to take with him an untrustworthy man, had, we may presume, helped to rouse in Mark a better spirit. (1) .At any rate, the position in which he now appears aud the honour which belong to his name in the Church of Christ, shows that onefalse step or unworthy act in a Christian life need not be absolutely fatal (Gal. vi. 1). The immediate result of any fapse must be evil; and it may be followed throughout life by painful consequences. Yet Mark, like Peter, rashly generous and apt to over-estimate his strength at first, when chastened and corrected by experience, becomes the trusted and honoured friend of the two chief apostles, as well as of his only less illustrious kinsman Barnabas. And to him it was given to write the priceless second Gospel, which, in its freshness and simplicity of tone, and in its vivacity and dramatic energy of style, indicates those qualities in John Mark which, i';1 spite of his early failnre, made him so much valued and beloved. (2) And St. Paul B treatment of Mark throws an interesting light on his own character. With all his uncompromising sternness and the intensity of bis passionate nature, there was no bitterness or suspiciousness, no cherishing of personal resentment in his heart. Some men will never trust again a friend or servant who once, unrler any circumstances, has failed them. But the apostle shows a more Chrii;tian and a wiser disposition. As he bids others, so he acts himself, "forbearino- a11d forgivin" if he have blame against any" (eh. iii. 13): compare the crucial instance of 2 Cor. ii. 5-11. As "the Lord forgave" Peter who denied him, so the apostle forgives Mark who _had_ deserted him. And by the way_ in which he co~- mends him to the re"ard of thlB distant Church, he shows how entirely Mark has his approval and confideice. We note also how once more he takes the opportunity of a ki11dly reference to Barnabas. 5. Jesus Justus, a Catholic-minded Jew. (Ver. 11.) lie is known to us here only; but as one of the three (with Arist11rch11s nn<l Mnrcne) oa. 1v. 1-18.] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSI.ANS. 221