Colossians 4:7-15 (NKJV) Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
V7 “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.” Tychicus is from Asia (Acts 20:4), was a fellow worker on the missionary team, was a messenger bringing epistles to the churches (Ephesus & Colossians–Ephesians 6:21 & Colossians 4:7), was sent by Paul to Titus (Titus 3:12) and again to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:12). These are good God pleasing descriptions of character, would to God we all were the same. Tychicus is a beloved brother, faithful minister (helper, assistant, etc.), and fellow servant (dedicated to the Lord Jesus). He was the one to bring the Colossians an update of Paul and his circumstances.
V8 “I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts…” His mission is three fold: 1) bring news about Paul, 2) receive an update on the state of the church in Colossi, and 3) bring comfort to your hearts. The specific issues they were concerned about is not mentioned, but Paul addresses some things and Tychicus will assist with the other issues. God is the God of comfort: God gave us the Scriptures for comfort (Psalm 119:50), for His mercy (Psalm 119:76), for blessings and comfort after chastening and refining (Isaiah 40:1), for individuals (Matthew 9:22), in death of family (John 11:19), for the promise of the Rapture, which is deliverance of the church (believers)(1 Thessalonians 4:16), and for consolation. The Greek word for consolation is (G3874) παράκλησις paraklēsis) and for comfort is (G3890) παραμύθιον paramythion)). This shows both are from God (Philippians 2:1).
V9 “…with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.” Tychicus is traveling with Onesimus. Onesimus is a Colossian, was/is a slave of Philemon (Philemon), believed in the Lord Jesus when Paul shared the Gospel with him (Philemon 1:12), returned to Philemon, and Paul’s plea to Philemon to free Onesimus so he could assist Paul. He is described as faithful (both to God and Paul) and a beloved brother.
V10 “…Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)…” Aristarchus is a prisoner also, Aristarchus is a Macedonian of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4), travelled with Paul and his team (Acts 27:2), was seized by the crowd in the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29), and accompanied Paul to Rome and helped him in prison. Mark is the well known writer of the Gospel of Mark (authenticated and guided by Peter, the Apostle). Greet and help these brethren.
V11 “…and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.” Jesus (Justus) is a fellow Messianic Jew of whom not much is known.
V12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Epaphras is a Colossian and a team member who was with Paul, the prisoner, in Rome (Philemon 1:23), a bondservant of Jesus, labored with diligence in prayer (a prayer warrior) whose prayers are specific for a blameless life, knowing, and following God’s will is all they think and do. He has much zeal and energy for the believers in Colossi, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, which are near by towns. One of the examples of zeal that we need to imitate.
V13 “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.”
V14 “Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.” Luke is the beloved and well known Gentile believer and physician. Demas was a team member and faithful until he drifted in loving the world (2 Timothy 4:10 and Philemon 1:24). Let us heed James 4:8, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 2:15, all of which show a loss of our first love (the priority to love our Lord Jesus (John 14:15).
V15 “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.” Nymphas is the elder of the church either in Laodicea or Colossi. Laodicea is a near by city described thusly: (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “a city in the Lycus Valley of the province of PHRYGIA where one of the seven churches of Asia Minor was situated (Rev. 3:14). About 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of Ephesus and about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Colossi, Laodicea was built on the banks of the river Lycus, a tributary of the Maeander River.”
Colossians 4:16-18 (NKJV) Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen
V16 “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” Probably two different letters addressed similar but different concerns. The epistle to Laodicea is lost.
V17 “And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” All ministers (recognized or. not, because all Christians are given a gift by the Holy Spirit for ministering) must “take heed” to be faithful to our call, commission, and to fulfill it. There is no place for compromise or quitting. The Greek word for “take heed” is (G0991) βλέπω blepō, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) blépō also means ‘to see’ with a stronger emphasis on the function of the eye, so that it serves as the opposite of ‘to be blind.’ It can also be used for intellectual or spiritual perception, and in the absolute for insight,” Paul may be encouraging Archippus who may have been under stress of being an elder. So, the words of Paul will be motivating, encouraging, reminding, etc. Here is a quote: (Holman Commentary) “He is challenged to complete the work [he] received in the Lord. Perhaps he needed this word of encouragement so as not to give up in the face of the fierce battle with the false teachers.”
V18 “This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen” This proves to the believers that this is a genuine letter from Paul. Paul ends with a pressing request and a blessing.