Less Familiar Names
[By Kathleen Chatot]
We hear a lot about Peter, James, and John. But there are plenty of people mentioned in the N.T. that can slip by unnoticed. In Colossians 4, the apostle lists ten less familiar names from the early church. Paul ‘s “shout-out” to these saints reminds me of several Christians who quietly play important roles in the kingdom of God. Even though these mentions are brief, they contain life-long lessons for us today.
TYCHICUS — Encourage one another by speaking God’s Word
Col. 4:7-8 – “Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (NKJV).
Tychicus was with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and was entrusted with the important mission of delivering letters to the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21) and the Colossians (Col. 4:7-9) with a job to inform them of Paul’s welfare. The result was the Christians were encouraged. He is also mentioned in Acts 20:4, 2 Tim.4:12; & Tit. 3:12. He was a source of great help, especially in association with the churches in Asia.
ONESIMUS — Means “useful” (Col. 4:9)
Onesimus was a slave owned by a believer in Colosse, Philemon, but he ran away and came into contact with Paul in Rome. There, Onesimus became a Christian and a dedicated helper to Paul. His story continues in Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul calls him a faithful and beloved brother, and let the Colossian Christians know that Onesimus was now one of you.
Greetings from three of Paul’s faithful Jewish friends (4:10-11)
Aristarchus — He was a Macedonian from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4). He was with Paul during the Ephesian riot and they seized Paul (Acts 19:29). He was also with Paul when they set sail for Rome under his Roman imprisonment (Acts 27:2). Here Paul calls him, “my fellow prisoner.” It seems Aristarchus had an interesting habit of being with Paul in hard times Mark the cousin of Barnabas. Author of the Second Gospel. Paul refused to take Mark on the second journey because he “deserted” them in Pamphylia, (Acts 15:38). By now, several years later, the difficulties seemed to be ironed out, because Paul, both here and in Phm 24, sends Mark greetings. Vs 10 – “about whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him” (NKJV). Some years later, Paul writes, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for the ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11, NKJV). Mark fell but got back up. Lesson here? Keep getting up.
Jesus who is called Justus (Col. 4:11) – Of this man we know nothing except his name. He went by Justus instead of Jesus, maybe to avoid confusion with the Jesus he was proclaiming? He also left his own people, the Jews, in order to spread the Gospel.
Paul continues in the rest of vs 11 – “These are the only workers in the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me” (NKJV).
EPAPHRAS — Contend for others in prayer
Col. 4:12-13 – “Always laboring fervently for you in prayers” (NKJV). Epaphras was a prayer warrior. There was false teaching in Colossae and he prayed fervently, going before the Throne of God, contending for God’s people in prayer, “that they would stand firm and complete in all the will of God ” (NKJV). “He did all this with great zeal for you” (NKJV).
Paul called him a bondservant. A phrase that he often applied to himself, but never to anyone else, except here and in Phil. 1:1 (where he speaks of himself and Timothy).
LUKE the beloved physician and DEMAS greet you (Col. 4:14).
In this passage Luke is identified as a beloved PHYSICIAN. He used his occupation as a doctor to the Glory of God. Who knows the countless times he needed to treat Paul from his horrible wounds. Maybe why he called him the beloved physician.
We can learn from Luke that our talents are not separate from our spiritual life, for we need to do all for the glory of God. We know that Luke wrote the third Gospel, and Acts.
DEMAS was a Christian worker who greeted the Christians in Colossae and grouped as Paul’s fellow laborers in Philemon 24. Would later desert Paul having loved this present world (2 Tim. 4:10). Let his example warn us from abandoning our faith and turning away from God.
NYMPHA (Col. 4:15)
Nympha opened up her home and let the church meet there. She gave of her resources for the sake of the Gospel. You may think you have nothing to give, but even a cup of cool water in His name you will by no means lose your reward (Mark 9:41).
Back in that day there were no church buildings as today. Christian groups gathered in people’s houses up until the third century.
ARCHIPPUS –”Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, That you may fulfil it” (Col. 4:17, NKJV).
This statement naturally connects Archippus to the church in Colossae. “To take heed to”, points to some function with the church entrusted to him. Whatever it was for him to “take heed” in it involved the church to encourage him. Archippus is an example of how Christians are to exhort one another in order to grow in holiness and faith.
We do not hear much from the people in Col. 4, but their mark on what they did for the kingdom is worth studying. Their example shows the Kingdom is in need of laborers, even if it is just bringing a letter to someone as these folks did. Their love for the Kingdom of God shows in their fervent prayers, keeping alert of the attitude of thanksgiving, work assisting with Paul in the ministry, using the talents of a physician, conducting themselves with wisdom toward outsiders, speaking always with grace.
Use of what was at hand, Jesus did.
Jesus asked to use the boat of some fisherman, and that boat became a pulpit to preach to a multitude (Lk. 5:1-3; Mark 4:1, Mt.13:1-3).
With a small boy’s packed lunch of bread and fish, Jesus was able to feed 5,000 men, not counting women and children (Mt. 13:13-21)
With a little dirt from the ground, Jesus healed the blind man (John 9:1-7).
The borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea became the empty tomb that would prove Christ’s resurrection (Luke 24:1-3).
Small things mean a lot.