Quote from Forum Archives on October 9, 2003, 11:29 am

Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>

 

                Behind the scenes

 

                Colossians 4:7-8

 

As we look through the pages of the New Testament we run into  various
people  whose  names  give us headaches when  pronouncing  them,  like
Onesphorus  (2 Tim 1:16), Asyncritus (Romans 16:14).  Although some  of
the  obscure people appeared perhaps only once in the Bible ,  we  can
see  that even so called little people can make a contribution to  the
spread of the Gospel, even if it is an indirect manner.  Much is  said
about  the  apostles, but for purpose of this time I would  like  to
look at the contributions made by these little people of the Bible  so
that  we can compare with what we can do today.  To save time  I  will
limit the list to those in the reading and one or two others of note.

 

1) Tychicus (Acts 20:4, Eph 6:21, Col 4:7, 2 Tim 4:12, Tit 3:12)

 

a)  From the province of Asia and accompanied Paul  through  Macedonia
(Acts 20,4)
b) Would act as Pauls spokesman and encourage the brethren (Eph  6:21,
Col 4:7, 2 Tim 4:12)
c)  Perhaps there are times when we can convey messages to people,  to
let them know that we care about them. We can also encourage people by
visiting them when they are sick

 

2) Onesimus (Colossians 4:9, Philemon 10)

 

a) He was a runaway slave (Phil 15) that belonged to Philemon
b) As a slave he was not considered to be a person, but a living  tool
that an owner could deal with as they wished.  They were the lowest of
the low
c)  As a slave he was useless (Phil 11) and probably stole from
Philemon so that he could travel. (Phil 18)
d)  After  conversion he was a faithful and useful brother (Col  4:9,
Phil 16)
e)  He  helped Tychicus with a the carrying of the letter to Colosse
(Col 4:9)
f)  No matter how low a person can sink into the gutter of life, they
can still become useful to the kingdom (Emphasise that he was one of
them)  When Paul came across Onesimus, Onesimus was not written off
the list of possibilities, nut ended written in the book of life.

 

3) Aristarchus (Acts 19:29, 20:4, Col 4:10, Philemon 24)

 

a) He was a Macedonian from Thessonlonica (Acts 27:2)
b) Was termed a fellow worker By Paul and then a fellow prisoner.
c) He shared in everything with Paul (Made himself a slave)
d) We can really make a difference when we share the burden. By doing
things together, Rather than leaving it to one person we can help make
the church grow.

 

3A)  Even our presence can help encourage those that minister in the
full time ministry, just as Aristarchus must have done by accompanying
Paul, even in to the prison.
In 1Corinthians  16:17 we read "I was glad when Stephanas,  Fortunatus
and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from
you.  For  they refreshed my spirit and yours also.  Such men deserve
recognition"(NIV)
Eutychus  has  been maligned because he fell asleep when  the  apostle
Paul was preaching. We must remember Eutychus was probably a slave,

 

3B)  The Jewish day went from sunset to  sunset.  Now Eutychus was
probably tired from his work as a slave, but inspite of his tiredness,
he just had to be there with the brethren than go to his bed.
Eutychus can be said to have shown the true spirit of wanting to meet
with the brethren, rather than those who turn up to the services
because they have to.

 

4 Mark (Acts 13:5,13:13,15:38, Col 4:10, 2 Tim 4:11, Phil 24)

 

a) Mark had started off with Paul (Acts 13:5) and then left to  return
to  Jerusalem  (Acts 13:13). This lead Paul to question whether Mark
could come with them again.
b)  Paul  turned  out wrong to dismiss Mark and said that Mark "is
helpful to me in my ministry" (2 Tim 4:11)
c) When people let us down, we must not put them down forever, we must
encourage those who want to keep on trying, as one helps a young child
learn to walk.
Christians can make mistakes, sometimes especially those who may be young
in the faith. James 5:19-. We need to be like Barnabus and help
them develop in the way that the Lord wants.

 

5) Jesus Justus (Colossians 4:11)

 

a)  Also described as a fellow worker alongside Aristarchus and John
Mark who were also jews
b) He  wanted to send his greetings to the saints at Colosse.
c) Like Aristarchus and Mark he was a comfort to the apostle Paul.
d)  No  matter how insignificant we think we are, we can  still  be  a
comfort to those who seem "great" in the eyes of the church.  We are a
comfort when we run errands, clean up a building, do the washing.
Our Lord Jesus said "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a  cup
of  water in my name because you belong to Christ will  certainly  not
loose his reward " Mark 9:41

 

6) Epaphras (Colossians 1:7, Colossian 4:12, Philemon 23)

 

a)  He  was  a  minister of the Gospel who  took  the  gospel  to  the
Colossians (Colossians 1:7)
b) He was a fellow prisoner with Paul (Philemon 23)
c)  He  wrestled in prayer for Colossian Christians from whom  he  was
separated that they "may stand firm in all the will of God"
d) He also worked hard at Laodicia and Hierapolis
e)  We can really help people with our prayers, if nothing else,  just
as Epaphras Wrestled in prayer for the Colossians. We can offer people
our prayers even if circumstances take us away

 

7) Luke (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24)

 

a) He was the Author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles.
b) He accompanied Paul on his missionary Journeys
c) He was a doctor and an accomplished historian.
d)  When everyone had left Paul for various reasons, Luke stayed  with
Paul (2 Timothy 4:11)
e)  We can make a contribution by keeping people who would  be  lonely
company  as luke did for Paul.  We can be like the Samaritan  who  did
not ignore the injured man.
f)  The NIV and the NEB use the phrase "Our Dear Friend". Sometimes  we
can be just a friend to those around us, this can preach volumes.

 

8) Demas (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 24, 2 Timothy 4:10)

 

a)  He was for a time described as a fellow worker by  paul  (Philemon
24), then just Demas and then he quit.  Greek word used Engkatelipen =
Forsake,  Abandon,  leave in straits or helpless  -  Vines  Expository
Dictionary of New Testament words.
b)  The  unfaithful member can demoralise us and  really  depress  us.
Other people may leave because they are not as strong in the faith.
c)  Some will drop away  because Jesus warned us that they  would  (Cf
Matthew 13:21-22)

 

8A) Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2)

 

Even when members stay in the church problems between individual
members can effect the whole church if left unchecked.  We may  never
know what the quarrel was about, but it was extremely distressing to
Paul as he had worked with them both.  Someone was asked to help them
out. Sometimes we have to act as peace makers to restore harmony.  Mat
5:9

 

8B)Nympha Hospitality - Col 4:15 Church in her home as did Philemon

 

9) Archippus (Colossians 4:17, Philemon 2)

 

a)  He  amy have lived in Laodicia since he comes  after  instructions
about sending the letter on to Laodicia.
b) His work may have been in Laodicia alongside Philemon.
c)  We may not know what the work was he was given, but in some  sense
we all have a particular work, whether to preach, to raise children in
the admonition of the Lord or to serve as an inspiration to others  by
our encourage meant.

 

At  the end of the day, the church is made up of people, each  with  a
part to play in the body of Christ, some up front and some behind  the
scenes but each one of us is important. Romans 12:4-8

 

 

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