The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 233

Vere. 7-18.-The apostle's entourage. At the time when this Epistle was written Paul had a considerable bancl about him. Though a prisoner in Rome, he has gathered round him a troor of friends. The time has not come when he has to say, "Only Luke is with me' (2 Tim. iv. 10), It is interesting to notice those be has at this time around him. I. THE LETTER·0ARRIERB. (Vcrs. 7-9.) These are Tychicus and Onesimus. They carry each a letter-Tychicus this letter to the Church, Onesimus the letter for Philemon. The freeman and the slave are to journey together as brothers in tbe Lord, carryinµ: tidings of the imprisoned preacher and the love-tokens in his Epistles. What beautiful harmony has Paul summoned forth I Christianity recognizes not the distinctions of the world, but bond and free realize their unity in Christ. II. THE JEWS. (Vers. 10, 11.) He bas with him as" fellow-prisoner" Aristarchus, the faithful companion who had risked himself in the theatre at Ephesus, and who seems to have voluntarily shared the imprisonment with the apostle. Mark also, the cousin of Barnabas, is with him, not very reliable or certain in his movements, but with whom Paul has long ago made up his quarrel and can dwell in peace. Jesus also, another Jew, a loyal citizen as his additional name Justus implies, is with Paul, and they are such genuine converts from Judaism as to be most comforting" fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God." The large-hearted Jewish apostle has attracted to his side magnanimous, large-souled Jews also to co-operate in the mission:rry enterprise. III. THE GENTILES. (Vers. 12-15.) We have three Gentiles as a set-off to the three Jewish companions. These are Epaphras, who has come from Colossm to aid the work, and who seems to have been a specially prayerful man, making his native district the burden of his constant intercessions. Next there is "Luke, the beloved physician," the medical attendant and fast friend for many years of the great apo8tle. It was he who lingered with him during his second imprisonment, when all the rest had forsaken him, and who saw his end. His writings, the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, constitute him the "Josephus of the Chrislian Church," and form the natural and indispensable introduction to the Pauline Epistles. And, lastly, we have Demas, whose loyalty had not been tested at this time fully, but whose sad history is written by Paul later on in the brief words, "Demas bath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Tim. iv. 10). It would thus appear that just as Jesus had a Judas in his band of disciples, so Paul had a Demas in those attracted to his side. The best of men cannot exclude the insincere from the work in which they need II fellow-workers." And it is best, for the hostile at heart are admirable witnesses of the private life of the Christian leaders. Neither Judas nor Demas ever bore bacl witness about their masters I IV. THE PUBLIC USE TO BE MADE OF Tms EPISTLE. (Vers. 16, 16.) It was to be handed about to neighbouring Churches, and other letters sought in exchange. Paul was writing, not for Colossm alone, but for all Churches to which his Epistle would come. It was therefore a public Epistle. The letter Onesimus had in his pocket was private. It was intended for Philemon alone, and yet, blessed be God, it too has become public property. But the other Pauline Epistles were meant by their author to be public documents. We may well rejoice that such precious literary remains have come down to us. V. THE BPE0IAL SALUTATION TO ARcHIPPUS, THE MINISTER IN CHARGE. (Ver. 17.) This must have been a solemn and yet a salutary word. The winistry had hem receiveJ "from the Lord," as some put it. Archippus looked past apostle and a.II terrestrial officials to Jesus as his Master, and it was a ministry in the Lord he had received. But at the same time he will receive cordially such an exhortation, aud his responsibilities shall in consequence be more carefully discharged. It is in increased ministerial conscientiousness that the progress of a Church is to be realized. And thus it is with pathetic warning the interesting Epistle ends. As the apostle puts bis bold signature to the document and asks to have bis bonds remembered, this Epistle of the captivity goes forth complete to the world-wide mission intended by the Spirit.-R. M. E. Vere. 2-6.-Prayer and prudence. I. PRAYER. l. General. (1) Steadfastness •n prayer. "Continue steadfastly in praver." '!'hero is the same direction in Rom.  230 THE EPISTLE 'l.'0 'l'IIE COLOSSIANS. [clI, IV, 1-18,