The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 230

lessen his affection for the apostle. 2. Marcus. "And Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching -whom ye received command~ents; if he come unto you, receive him)." This ,vas the author of the second Gospel, who was associated with the apostle in his earlie,r missionary labours, and afterwards forsook him at Pamphylia, under circumstances that led to a rupture betwoen Paul and Barnabas (Acts xv. 39). He is now affectionately commended to the Colossians-for he had evidently recovered the confidence and love of the apostle-as "one useful to him for the ministry" (2 Tim. iv. 11). Mark was now resident in Rome. It is not possible to know what were the commands which the apostle had sent to the Colossians concerning him; probably they were to bespeak a hospitable reception for him, as the Pauline Churches may have suspected his fidelity. 3. Jesus. "And Jesus, which is called Justus." He is only mentioned in this place, He is not probably the same as Justus of Corinth (Acts xviii. 7). He was attached to the apostle. It is curious that a disciple who bore the name of our l.ord should have also borne his title of "·the just one." • II. THE APOSTLE'S mGH COMMENDATION OF THE THREE FRIENDS. "These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me." 1. They were Jews. "Who are of the circumcision." 2. They were exceptions to the rule of anti-Pauline animosity on the part of Christian Jews, The exception is limited, probably, to those Jews in Rome, who preached Christ "through strife and envy," hoping thus to "add affliction to his bonds" (Phil. ii. 20). But these three comforted him by hearty co-operation and their kindly sympathies. The best and greatest men need the comfort of the very humblest, who in their tum r_ebuke the conduct of those who grieve God's servants and are thorns in their sides.-T. C. Vers. 12-14.-Greetings from three Gentile friends of the apostle. I. EPAPHRAS I. His relation to the Colossians. "Who is one of you." A. native of their _city,. like Onesimus. 2. His o,ffe,ce. "A servant of Jesus Christ "-:-a title ·often applied, to the apostle by himself, and once applied to Timothy (Phil. i. 1)-to indicate his. considerable services in the cause of Christ's gospel. He was the founder of the Church at Colossre. 3. Bis love to them. "-Always wrestling for you in prayers that ye may stand fast, perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." His love was manifest in his constant and anxious prayers for his flock. Consider: (1) The manner of his prayers. " Always wrestling for you in prayers." (a) He was in an agony of prayer for them (a) because of the greatness of the dangers tbat encompassed t.hem; (/3) because of the fear of his prayers being lost; (")') because of the tenderness of hfa love for them, He was truly" fervent in spirit." (b) He was always wrestling in prayer for them, (a) We must be constant in prayer (1 Thess. v. 16). (/3) It maintains fervency of spirit. (;,) It has the greater prospect of a favourable answer. (2) The matter of his prayers. "That ye may stand fast, perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." It is a prayer for the _stability of the Colossians, in view of the possible dangers of apostas;r. " Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall " (1 Cor. x. 12). '.' God 1s able to establish us" (1 Car. xv. 1). This stability is manifest in two things. (a) Maturity. "Perfect." Epapbras prays that the flock may stand fast in a complete and· universal obedience. This they cannot do without labouring for much knowledge (1 Cor. :xiv. 20), exercising themselves in the Word of righteousness (Heb. y, 14), allow- ing patience to have her perfect work (Jas. iii. 1; i. 5). _(b) _Firm pers~asion. "Fully assured in all the will of God." There was to be no vac1llat1on or _fallmg away, but a sure conviction of the truth of God's will. 'l'he Jurueo-Gnostics made a pretension to a perfection of wisdom, and found its sphere in the secrets of heavenly existence, Believers find it in the sphere of God's will. 4. His zealous labours for the welfare of all the (Jhurches in the Lyc·us valley. " For I bear him witness, that he bath much labour for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis." He was probably the founder of all three Churches, which were within a short distance of each other. The apostle commends him to the Colossians that he may increase their respect and Jove for him on his return from Rome. II. LUKE. "The beloved physician." This was the _evangelist, who had travelled with the apostle on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts xx1. l), and then frqm Jerusalem to Rome two years later (Acts xxvil. 2), and now again was in his company. He was apparently the apostle's only companion at the end of his second iniprisonmcnt (2 Tim, OU, IV, 1-18,] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 227