Scripture Daily

Context No. 3162 of 4322 · Colossians

Context · Reflection

Colossians 4:7-11: in context

7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

Paul closes his letter to the Colossians by naming his coworkers. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister; Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, one of their own; Aristarchus, his fellow prisoner; Mark, the cousin of Barnabas; and Jesus called Justus. These, he says, are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, and they have been a comfort to me.

This list of names is a window into Paul's life. The great apostle did not work alone; he was surrounded by a team of faithful coworkers, and he names them with warmth, beloved, faithful, a comfort to me. Notice Mark, once the young man whose desertion had split Paul and Barnabas, now restored and useful again, a quiet testimony to reconciliation and second chances. And Paul, imprisoned, calls these companions a comfort to me. Even a servant as strong as Paul needs faithful friends, and is sustained by ordinary people who stand with him. Ministry is never a solo act.

Do I value and give thanks for the faithful people who stand with me, and am I willing to be such a "comfort" to others in their work?

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