Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
This is the conclusion to Paul’s letter to the Colossians.
This passage includes personal greetings, commendations, instructions, and final remarks. This passage reveals a great deal about the early Christian community, Paul’s relationships, and the collaborative nature of ministry.
Paul’s ministry was not solo — it was a team effort, and these men were a “comfort” to him, especially as he faced hardship.
Notice the number of people Paul specifically names and commends.
Tychicus
Onesimus
Aristarchus
Mark
Justus
Epaphras
Luke
Demas
Nympha
Archippus
Note the diversity among the people mentioned. Each one contributing to the Christian community.
Colossians 4:7-18 NLT
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
18 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.
Remember my chains.
May God’s grace be with you.
Examine the Scriptures:
Colossians 4:7-18 NLT
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.
A native of Asia Minor.
A Gentile convert.
A member of Paul’s ministry team. (Traveled with Paul and also mentioned in Ephesians, Acts, 2 Timothy and Titus)
Reliable and capable leader.
He delivered this letter to the Colossians.
He also delivered the letters Ephesians and Philemon. (2 Timothy 4:12)
Ephesians 6:21 NLT
Final Greetings
21 To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work.
He communicated news about Paul.
- Paul described Tychicus as “ a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.
He was sent “to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you”.
- Tychicus was a trusted colleague, capable of explaining Paul’s situation and encouraging the Colossians.
9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
The runaway slave mentioned in the book of Philemon.
Philemon’s converted bondservant.
- Paul calls Onesimus “a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people”.
Onesimus was sent by Paul to tell the Colossians “everything that’s happening here”.
10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings,
A longtime associate of Paul, now in prison with him. Paul’s companion in travel. (Acts 19:29)
Scripture does not specifically state that Aristarchus was a prisoner. He may have been a prisoner for preaching the Gospel or he may have been in prison with Paul voluntarily to assist him with his ministry.
In Philemon 24 Paul describes Aristarchus as “my co-worker”.
This reveals the personal sacrifices made by those who stood alongside Paul.
- Aristarchus is a longtime associate of Paul, now in prison with him.
and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.
John Mark.
He went with Paul on his first missionary journey but left suddenly. (Acts 13:13)
Paul refused to take Mark on his second missionary journey.
He is now more mature and is working with Paul. Clearly reconciliation and restoration took place between Paul and Mark.
2 Timothy 4:11 NLT
11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.
- Despite an earlier conflict, Paul speaks positively of Mark, saying he is “useful to me for ministry”, showing that they reconciled.
The instructions to “make Mark welcome” may reflect lingering concerns about his past.
11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings.
- Very little is known about Justus.
These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were Jews,
12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
Epaphras may have been the founder of the Colossian church (cf. Col. 1:7)
Epaphras likely had a leadership role in the three churches mentioned (Colosse, Laodicea and Hierapolis)
13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Two important cities in the area.
Two churches close to the church at Colosse. Both of these churches had good relationships with the church at Colosse.
- Epaphras was a man of prayer.
14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings,
Luke. The author of Luke and Acts. (Wrote about Paul in Acts)
A physician.
He traveled a lot with Paul.
Apparently Luke was with Paul during his imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome.
Most likely a Gentile.
- Luke was a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, mentioned in several of Paul’s letters. He appears to have stayed with Paul during his imprisonments and missionary journeys.
and so does Demas.
A fellow worker.
Demas later deserted Paul.
- Demas was a fellow worker who later deserted Paul.
15 Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea,
and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
A leader who hosted a church in her home, showing the vital role of women in early church life.
House churches were common during his period of time.
- Nympha hosted a church in her home.
16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
- Paul’s letters were intended to be circulated and read publicly in the churches.
The letter to the church at Laodicea has been lost.
17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
Philemon 2 NLT
2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Son of Philemon ??
Apparently he was facing discouragement or not doing what God had asked him to do, and Paul was urging him to fulfill his calling — a reminder that ministry requires endurance.
- Paul encouraged Archippus to carry out the ministry the Lord gave him to do.
18 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.
Paul often dictated letters but signed the conclusion himself as a mark of authenticity.
Timothy was most likely Paul’s secretary up to this point.
Remember my chains.
A reminder of the cost of discipleship and Paul’s deep commitment to the gospel.
May God’s grace be with you.
The Christian life is sustained by God’s grace.
Summary:
The Christian life is communal, collaborative, and dependent on prayer and encouragement.
Ministry is a team effort
There is diversity in the church.
Each person mentioned, from trusted colleagues to former slaves, played a part in the early Christian movement. Their contributions, however big or small, were significant.
Paul highlights the importance of mutual encouragement and the fervent prayers of individuals like Epaphras in sustaining the church.
