May 20, 2017
Colossians
4:12-18
Yesterday, we examined verses 7-11 and
looked at the ministry of Jewish men who were traveling with Paul, and today it
is the Gentile men’s life and ministry we will study. Epaphras and Paul are
quick to remind them, “Who is one of you” a servant of Jesus Christ greets
you. Paul introduces him as a prayer warrior, a man who is always
struggling on your account in his prayers. And what is the theme of his
prayers; that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
If we go back to Colossians 1:7-8, we find
it was Epaphras who informed Paul about the church at Colossae. Paul had
not been there at this time, so it was Epaphras that informed Paul about the
actions of that church. In his letter to the Church at Colossae Paul
refers to Epaphras as a fellow slave and a faithful servant. In chapter 2
and verse one Paul makes it clear he has not yet visited that area.
In verse 14, “Luke
the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the
brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” The
14th verse tells us the profession of Luke, a physician and once more we see
the hand of God using this doctor in a mighty way in the life of Paul. We
also have Demas a companion of Paul who began strong and yet later abandoned
the gospel ministry because of his love for worldly things. I’ve seen the
old thief pull this on many a pastor, and I’m reminded that his goal is to
destroy and it matters not how long it takes to do so.
Now back to the beloved physician Luke, who
gave us the book of Acts and the longest book in the New Testament the book of
Luke. Its focus is the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Now both
the book of Acts and Luke are dedicated to “most honorable Theophilus.”
There is a high possibility that Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of
Jesus Christ, but he often refers to others being eyewitnesses of the life of
Jesus Christ. But in the book of Acts we see Luke using “they and them”,
but later in the book he changes to the first-person plural (“we,” “us”).
So we know that the doctor joined up with Paul and ministered to him and with
him. No one knows whom the person Theophilus is, but it's assumed he
was a Gentile believer, who had both wealth and may have held some governmental
authority and power.
As we look at verses 15-18, one wonder’s why
are we not taking to heart this letter, for it was to be passed on to us
also? “And when this letter has been read
among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you
also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to
Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the
Lord.” (Go to Philemon, verse 2 to understand who
Archippus is.)
“I, Paul, write this greeting
with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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