AM Bible Study Group; July 17, 2013
Colossians 4:15-18
Theme: In his closing greetings to the Colossians, Paul describes ways they are to minister to others.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from
In his closing words to his brothers and sisters, as they are found in the final chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul has written of three different groups. In verses 7-9, he speaks of those who were being sent to minister to the Colossians directly. In verses 10-14, we read of those who ministered to them from afar. And so far, in all of this, Paul has written about those who served the Colossians.
We’ve learned a variety of lessons from the examples of those who had ministered to the Colossians. But now, in verses 15-18, he writes about the ways that the Colossians themselves were to serve. From these final verses, we learn much about how we are to built up our unity with one another.
I. GREET IN LOVE (v. 15).
A. First, he says, “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house” (v. 15). As we have pointed out before, the Laocicean church—a church that is mentioned often in this letter (Colossians 2:1; 4:13, 16)—is most likely the one that received the letter that we have in our Bibles as the Epistle to the Ephesians. It was a church nearby Colossae; and the contents of the letter to the Ephesians bear a remarkable similarity to the contents of the letter to the Colossians. Paul had very similar concerns for both churches— churches that he had not personally visited. Perhaps he instructed the Colossians to pass on greetings to this nearby church because he wanted the two congregations to cultivate a healthy, cooperative relationship with one another. It’s a beautiful thing when truly believing churches love and cooperate with one another. It tells the rest of the world that Jesus is their Lord. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). It could be that the Holy Spirit had led Paul to encourage the cooperation of the two churches, because He anticipated the sad luke-warmness’ and complacency that would one day characterize the church in Laodicea (see Revelation 3:14-22).
B. One particular person in Paul’s instruction received special mention for greeting—Nymphas. This name may be either male or female; and in some translations it speaks of ‘him’ and others of ‘her’. Whatever gender this person may be, Nymphas was apparently wealthy, and had a house that was large enough to provide a place for the church in Laodicea to meet. Churches didn’t meet in ‘church buildings’ in those days. They met in homes. Nymphas served the church by providing from his or her material wealth and resources, so that the people of God had a safe, comfortable place to meet and minister and worship. Nymphas may not have been a missionary or a teacher; but he or she gave what was available to the service of Jesus Christ; and has received special recognition in the word of God for making this provision for the church. Paul wanted everyone to be sure to greet Nymphas. We need people like this, who are willing to give of their resources so that the church can do its job.
II. SHARE THE WORD (v. 16).
A. Paul then says, “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (v. 16). Note that Paul assumes that this epistle would be read in the public gathering. This kind of sharing within a church family was very necessary. There would have, at that time, been only one copy of Paul’s letter brought to them; and it may be that some of the folks couldn’t read and needed to be read to. An elder in the church would, perhaps, have gathered all the Christians together and shared the content of the letter—and then, allowed the gathered congregation to ask questions or discuss what was read. Wouldn’t it have been a thrill to have been among that group to have heard the wonderful truths from this letter shared for the very first time? Perhaps some among the group would have said to the leader, “May I borrow the letter and hand-write a copy for myself and for others to read and reflect on?” Since we no longer have the originals, that’s how the various copies of the early New Testament epistles that we possess today came into existence. What a precious thing God’s word is! What a worthy thing it is to share among the brethren!
B. Paul not only encouraged that the letter be read among the Colossians, but also that it be read to the neighboring church of the Laodiceans—and that their letter (the Epistle to the Ephesians?) be read as well. If you read them together, you can plainly see that they were written at the same time; and that both of them deal with many of the same subjects in the same ways. But you can also see how the differences between the two letters—when compared with one another—give a fuller picture of the truths God wanted Paul to convey in them. Paul wanted the two churches to minister to one another by sharing the instruction that he gave both of them. It may be that copies of the two letters were made and exchanged between the two churches. And in a sense, that ministry is going on right now! We today—a church gathered on the opposite side of the world and separated by our Colossian and Laodicean brothers and sisters by twenty centuries—are being ministered by Paul’s instruction to “read”.
III. ENCOURAGE IN MINISTRY (v. 17).
A. Next, Paul turns the attention of the Colossian believers to someone named Archippus. He tells the believers, “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it’” (v. 17). We know just a tiny little bit about Archippus. But what we know is very important. He was mentioned in the beginning of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul dedicated his letter “To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house . . .” (Philemon 1-2). Apparently Apphia was Archippus’ wife, and the church met in their home—much as the Laodicean church met in the home of Nymphas. But it may be, too, that Archippus was a leader in the Colossian church; perhaps even the pastor.
B. It could be that, in some respect, Archipus was not fully seizing hold of his ministry—perhaps even neglecting it—in such a way that Paul felt motivated, in part, to write this letter to correct the problem. Or perhaps Archippus simply felt a lack of confidence in God’s call for him. For whatever reason, Archippus needed to be encouraged and exhorted to stay at the work that God had called him to; and Paul called upon the believers in Colossae to publically affirm him, and to stir him afresh to the work, that he may “fulfill it”. It’s very possible that Archippus was present among them when this letter was read aloud. Our church family also has many leaders who minister faithfully to it. Praise God for their ministry to the church family. But we should never ignore the ministry the church family has to its leaders. In Hebrews 13:7, we’re told, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” And in verse 17, we’re told, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Good leaders in the church need the support, respect, thanks, and encouragement, and—at times—even the exhortation of the congregation, in order to keep faithful to their good work.
IV. REMEMBER IN PRAYER (v. 18).
A. This leads us to one last person Paul calls the Colossians to minister to—and that is, to himself. As he sat in his prison cell, and came to the closing words of this letter, he took the quill in his own hand and wrote the final salutation himself. And perhaps as he did so, he heard the rattling and jangling of the chains on his arm. And so, he wrote, “This salutation by my own hand— Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.”
B. Paul coveted the prayers of the Colossians in his ministry. In chapter 4, he wrote, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4). And here, he doesn’t hesitate to ask for prayer that he might be released from prison altogether. So much of the success of God’s work, and the success of God’s faithful workers, depends on our prayers. The people God uses are only human, after all. The people out in the front lines need for us to be faithfully upholding them in prayer.
* * * * * * * * * *
‘Greet one another in love’, ‘share the word with each other’, ‘encourage each other in ministry’, ‘remember one another in prayer’—these are great ways for us to minister to one another in the Body of Christ. God help us to do so more and more.