Colossians 4:7-18 Farewells (7-9) vv. 7-8. Tychicus accompanied the apostlePaul on his voyage to Jerusalem (A.D. 58), with contributions raised for "the poor saints at Jerusalem." he was with the apostle in his imprisonment at Rome, but sent home with two letters, and in charge of Onesimus, on whose account the apostle sends a private letter to Philemon. Paul later proposed to send him to Titus in Crete (Titus 3:12), and finally sent him from Rome once more to Ephesus (2 Timothy 6:12). "Dear brother, faithful minister, fellow servant in The Lord." v 9. Onesimus - "faithful and dear brother and one of you". He was a runaway slave of Philemon, who was a member of the church in Colosse. Paul wrote the letter we know as Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and to treat him as a brother in The Lord. Onesimus was apparently led to The Lord by Paul. Greetings (10-15) v. 10. 3 Jewish Christians - Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica, arrested in the riot in Ephesus, accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, and traveled with Paul from Caesarea to Rome. Mark was the writer of the gospel. v. 11. Jesus Justus nothing more is known Paul's calling had alienated him from his countrymen. These three were the only fellow Jews working with Paul in his ministry. These three were a "comfort" to Paul. Console, vv. 12-13. Epaphras is the founder of the Colossian church. He continually strives (labors, toiled) for them in his prayers - that they may stand firm, mature, fully convinced of the will of God. Because they were in danger of wavering in their faith. v. 14 Luke, the doctor, writer of Luke and Acts, companion of Paul in many of his missionary journeys. v. 15. Greetings to the brothers in Laodicea. Nymphas as may be masculine or feminine depending on the placement of the accent mark, so versions differ. There were no church buildings in this time. In the NT, church always referred to an assembly of believers, not the place they met. Instructions (16-17) v. 16. The Colossians and Laodiceans were to swap letters to read. Some think this was the letter to the Ephesians, but it seems more likely that the letter to the Laodiceans was lost. (Another lost letter in 1 Co 5:9) v. 17. Archippus is mentioned in Philemon 2 in a way that suggests he is part of Philemon's household. Could be that Paul was rebuking him to do better or that Paul wanted the Colossians to know that Archippus had his support. Whatever it was, his ministry was a service in The Lord, so it was important. Be diligent to fulfill the calling and role that God has given you. V. 18. Paul wrote the salutation in his own hand Observations: Paul gave up his comfort for the sake of the ministry. Even in chains, he continued to minister He called on fellow workers to continue their work. We want to be part of a culture that is encouraging in ministry. Surrounded by people who are spend themselves in carrying out God's calling. Do you have people in your life that spur you on in good work? 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Can we be people who, like Paul, burns with passion to see gospel of Christ spread? Charles Wesley was asked why he was so influential. He said, "When you light yourself on fire, people love to watch you burn." Are you burning for something? Something bigger than yourself?