It is sometimes interesting to learn about the names we read of in the Bible. I was looking through the list of names in Paul’s closing comments in his letter to the Colossians, and it occurred to me that lessons are to be learned here.
So, here is the list, with comments included:
First in the list is Timothy. He is mentioned in (1:1), and was a close associate to Paul. Because of his relationship with the apostle, and the letters Paul wrote to him, we know much about Timothy. His mother and grandmother were Jewish, and taught him the scriptures. His father was a Gentile. Paul had Timothy circumcised to avoid any unnecessary conflict (Acts 16:3), and considered him to be a “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Interestingly, Titus was considered the same by Paul (cf. Titus 1:4). The young evangelist Timothy was perhaps Paul’s closest and most beloved companion.
Epaphras is mentioned in (1:7) and (4:12). In these verses he is referred to as “one of you” indicating that he was probably from the region. His interest in the Colossian Christians was obvious as he was “always laboring fervently” in prayers. He had “great zeal” for the Colossians as well as for the Christians in Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:12-13). Paul called him a “dear fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ on your behalf” (1:7). Paul also referred to him in his private letter to Philemon, written about the same time, calling him “my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 23). Interestingly, while Paul uses the Greek word doulos ( often translated “bondservant”) concerning himself on several occasions, among his companions only two are described in this way — Timothy and Epaphras.
The remaining names listed in the Colossian epistle are all found in his closing comments in 4:7-15. They include:
Tychicus “a beloved brother, faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord” (4:7). He was sent by Paul specifically to comfort the Colossians with words about Paul and his circumstance in Rome. Paul identifies him to the Ephesians in the same way (Ephesians 6:24). He was with Paul in Troas, when Paul preached until midnight (cf. Acts 20:4). In this account he is referred to as being from the province of Asia. When Paul called for Timothy to come to him near the time of his death, in 2 Timothy 4:12, he noted that he had sent Tychicus to Ephesus. He is also mentioned by Paul in Titus 3:12. He was obviously a frequent companion to Paul.
Onesimus in the next name in the list (4:9). He is the runaway slave that Paul determined to return to Philemon after having obeyed the gospel. Paul refers to him as a “faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.” It seems that Paul’s intent was to have Tychicus with Onesimus when he approached Philemon. You may remember that Paul requested that Philemon allow Onesimus to remain with Paul, “whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel” (Philemon 13). The work of Onesimus was “profitable” to Paul and he greatly desired for Onesimus to continue to work with him in the ministry of the gospel. He was confident that Philemon would allow it (Philemon 21).
Aristarchus is next, greeting the Colossians along with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. He is described as a “fellow prisoner” (4:10). He was a citizen of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4; 27:2), and was seized by the multitude in Ephesus, along with Gaius, when the people had been riled up near to the point of riot by the silversmiths of the city (Acts 19:29). He was with Paul in Troas (Acts 20:4), and accompanied him in the journey to Rome (Acts 27:2). He is mentioned by Paul in Philemon (24) where he is described as a “fellow laborer.”
Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, was a young man who once failed the apostle by turning back from one of Paul’s journeys. This caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas, leading them to go their separate ways for a time, (Acts 15:36-41). At least a decade had passed in the interim, and it is obvious that any rift between the two had healed. Mark is also mentioned in Acts 13:5,13, 15:38 and 1 Peter 5:13, where Peter’s reference to him as “son” may indicate that Peter converted him. He is also listed with Aristarchus in Philemon 24. He is the writer of the gospel of Mark.
Jesus, called Justus (a Jew) is only mentioned here in this text (4:11). He is known only as Paul’s fellow worker “for the kingdom of God”, and one who had “proved to be a comfort” to the apostle.
Luke is mentioned by name only here, where he is referred to as “the beloved physician” and in 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24. Luke includes himself on numerous occasions in his narrative of Paul’s travels in Acts, and is the writer of both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. He was evidently a Gentile as he was distinguished from the Jews in our text, and was a doctor. He probably treated Paul from time to time during their travels together.
Demas (4:14) has the stigma of being the only one in this list that did not remain faithful. Later, in 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul wrote “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” All of the good work he had done with Paul in his ministry was forfeit due to this apostasy (cf. Ezekiel 18:24). The only other time he is mentioned is in the list in Philemon 24.
Nymphas is stated as hosting a congregation “in his house” (4:15). It can be speculated that he was probably a person of some means, as he could supply a sufficiently large place for the church to gather, but nothing more is known of him.
Last is Archippus (4:17). He is greeted by Paul in Philemon 2 as a “fellow soldier.” It is noted that he too hosted a “church in your house.” Paul gave him a special word of encouragement that he might persist in and fulfill his ministry.
Other than Demas, it was certainly praiseworthy for these men to be listed in Paul’s letter. We don’t know much about most of them, but we rejoice in their work and faithfulness.
