Tuesday, June 25th, 2024

Scripture: Col. 4:7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 

Col. 4:8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 

Col. 4:9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Col. 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Col. 4:11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Col. 4:13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Col. 4:14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Col. 4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Col. 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

Col. 4:17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Teaching: Paul closes his letter to the Colossians with an array of final greetings and encouragements, listing many men from whom Paul is communicating messages to and from. Even though these final verses of Colossians are often glossed over because they do not necessarily hold theological depth like the rest of the letter, they are important. Even while imprisoned, Paul was obviously well-connected to the budding Church all over the area, and these other church leaders were connected to him. It was important to Paul to not just instruct the body of Christ, but to connect them and build them as a body. One can see from these verses that Paul viewed Christianity as a team sport and one where no one gets the glory other than Christ, but all work together for Christ.

Takeaway: There are some today who question the need for Christians to gather as a body in church, as well as a concerning rise in competitiveness in church growth, attendance numbers, and cultural influence. Paul’s letters were not only for correcting doctrine and practices within churches, they also beckoned for fellowship. The early Christian leaders depended upon one another for the advancement of the Gospel to a hostile world. Such interdependence and teamwork carried the Gospel across nations and empires. As Christians, fellowship is not solely for the purpose of “having community,” but for the advancement of the Gospel and disciple-making. When we view fellowship as unnecessary or through a selfish lens, we miss what Jesus had in mind for it. As Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day is drawing near.”