The final two companions sending greetings to the Colossians demonstrate a rather dramatic contrast; Luke the loyal and faithful companion and Demas who proved to be a faithless friend. Luke had frequently accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10-17), and had been a regular source of comfort to him and encouragement to him. As a doctor, too he would […]

If the first three men could be described as ‘gracious comforters’, Epaphras should be seen as the ‘faithful servant’. Epaphras was from Colossae and it seems that he was the one who had brought the gospel to Colossae and possibly also to the neighbouring towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis. He had gone to Rome to consult Paul about the situation […]

There are several people who were with Paul during his imprisonment who wish to join with him in sending greetings to the church in Colossae. They are, of course all individuals with their own particular characteristics, but they can be grouped together to illustrate certain values: The first three, Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus could be described as ‘gracious comforters’. All […]