The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 236

had also the q1111lities which, 11s they made him fit to be entrusted with the gospel, also made him fit to be entrusted with a mission from the apostle. He was, besides, a fellow-servant on an equality with the apostle in being at the call or the Master in ser'"ices to Churches, and they were to receive him at Colossre in the Lord's name. His mission extended beyond the mere bearin~ of the letter (which is not mentioned), to conveying intellige1rce regarding the circumstances, spirit, work, pro~pects of the apostle and others with him, as would be fitted to cheer their hearts. 2. The associa- ti-On of Onesimus with Tychicus. "Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all thin"s that are <lone here." Onesimus is mentioned as affectionately as Tychicus. 'l'he ~nly differ- mce is the absence of any official designation. His being called "brother" illustrates the principle laid down by the apostle in this Epistle, that there is not bondmau nor fr~eman. The renewal after the image of God had commenced, and was going on, in this slave. And therefore he acknowledges him as a brother. Prominence is given to his being afaithful brother. He had fonncrly been unfaithful, in the service ren 7 clered to his master Philemon, and in running away from that service. He had been so effectually transformed that alre:1dy (and much time cannot have elapsed) Paul can vouch for his trustworthiness. His being called "beloved brother" shows that he bad ex1,ibited singular qualities of heart, which is very touchingly brought out in the E;,istlc to Pbilemon. 'l'he interesting circumstance is mentioned, that Onesimus was one of them, a native of Colos~ai (we may understand), one whose name was to be added to their roll of membership, an<l who would be no mere nominal addition, but an addition to their working strength. Paul trusted him in much, after having trusted l1im in littles, when he associated him with· Tychicus, not only in bearing the letter, but in declaring to the Church at Colossai all things which were done at Rome. II. S_\LUTATIONS FOB THE UoLOSBIANS. 1. From three Jewish Christians. (1) Ari- starclius. "Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you." That he was an active l,elper ofthP apostle, may be gathered from his being classed in the Epistle to Philemon among bis fellow-workers. The beautiful thing regarding him is, that he is so near to the apostle in seasons of danger. ~ his connection with him, he was subjected to the Yiolence of the multitude in Ephesus. 'l'hen a plot of the Jews brings him into con- nection with the apostle. Then he appears as a companion of the apostle on his journey as a prisoner to Rome. And here he is styled "fellow-prisoner." He was not ashamed of the apostle's chains. He was not afraid to endanger his own life for his sake. From the fact of bis being styled "fellow-worker" and Epapbras "fellow- prisoner" in the Epistle to Philemon, which was transmitted along with the Epistle to Uolossai, it bas not unreasonably been concluded that Paul's friends voluntarily shared .t.iis imprisonment by turns. (2) MJ-rk. "And Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touch- ing whom ye received commandments; if be come unto you, receive him)." It was an l1onourable circumstance, which Paul with good feeling notes, that Mark was connected with Barnabas. He seems to have been included within the apostolic circle. He began bis Christian career by divesting himself (in no monastic spirit) of the embMrass- ment of riches. "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faHh." He bad the advance of Paul in Christian service, and generously introduced him to the Church at Jerusalem, and afterward, when the work could not be overtaken at Antioch, know- in" the fitness of Paul, be went forth to Tarsus to seek for birn, and when be bad fu~nd him, brou"ht him on to Antioch. For a long time they laboured conjointly, and for a time w; read of Barnabas and Paul as though the older in service exercised an influence over the younger, not yet fully conscious of his powers. But their plans diverged with regard to the kinsman of Darnabas who is mentioned here; and so sharp was tlie contention between these goo<l men that they parted asunder, one from the other. It may be assumed that Mark was blameworthy in not going with them to the work. He was apparently swayed at the time by some reason of personal convenience. Whether ~aul or Barnabas was right in regard to bis again beini; associateG with the'? in service is a different question. It appears from this notice that Mark had won his "ay back'into the apostle's confidence. Already commandments touching him bad 1,eco sent on, and now there is bespoken for him a favourable reception, should it ~all i_n with his planR to pay a visit to Colossre. (3) Jesus Justus. "And J\isus, which 1s calle ·1 .lns1us." He lived a life upon which light shall one day be cast All that wo CJH, IV, 1-18.] '.l'HE EPIS'l'LE TO 'l'HE COLOSSIANS.