Colossians 4:7-9

Colossians 4:7-9

Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make know to you all the things according to me.  I sent him to you all into this same reason: in order that you all should know the things regarding us and that he should encourage your hearts.  I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is out of you all.  They will make known to you all everything happening here.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul gives both Tychicus and Onesimus some very high praise.  He calls them both beloved, faithful, and brothers.  Here is what those words convey.  First, Paul is telling the Colossians that they take their faith seriously and are actively engaged in being obedient to God.  Second, it tells the people of Colossae just how much they mean to Paul.  These are people that Paul loves.  Therefore, if the Colossians love Paul then they should love both Tychicus and Onesimus in the same manner.  In this way, Paul is both praising them and hoping to provide for them as well.

How does this passage show us the compassionate side of Paul?  Do you think it is good or bad for Paul to use his influence in this manner?

Second Thought:

There is a very hidden comment that we can pull out of this letter.  You’ll notice that when Paul is talking about Tychicus, Paul calls him a “fellow-slave” in the Lord.  Yet, when Paul talks about Onesimus, that vocabulary is strangely absent.  There is something really cool going on here.  Remember that Onesimus is a runaway slave.  He is the slave of Philemon, for whom the book of the New Testament is named.  The book of Philemon is a letter persuading Philemon to accept Onesimus back in spite of the fact that he has run away.  But Paul is arguing that Philemon accept Onesimus back as a brother rather than as a slave.  It is likely that Tychicus carried both letters – the books that we call Colossians and the Philemon – with him as he came to Colossae.  Because of this dynamic, Paul would not want to use the word slave in reference to Onesimus, even if he intends it to be on a spiritual level.

How does this show Paul’s depth of thought and ability to use his speech in very deliberate manners?  How does this show Paul’s compassionate side even better than the first thought?

Third Thought:

In spite of all of this, Paul makes something really clear through repeated emphasis as well as through word order emphasis in the Greek.  This section is actually more about disclosing what has happened to Paul.  It is important for the people of Asia Minor – Colossae in particular – to know what Paul is going through.  This isn’t so that Paul’s name is praised.  As he has said all throughout this letter, Paul wants them to know the persecution he has endured.  This will serve two purposes.  First, it will remind them that persecution will come.  Second, when it does come, it will hopefully help the Colossians realize that they can endure.  Our lives should be an example to the people around us.

Is your life an example?  How do you speak through your example into the lives of the faithful people around you?

Passage for Tomorrow: Colossians 4:10-11