Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the above theme from Col 4.1 and following. Indeed, Paul, a prisoner in Rome, used the same faithful messenger, Tychicus, to carry his two letters to the Ephesians and Colossians (Ephesians 6:21-22). Other brothers and men of God participated in his work and shared his subjects of prayer: Epaphras who, after speaking of the Lord to the Colossians(Col 1:3-8), spoke of them to the Lord; Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Luke… and also Demas. Very different is the story of Démas. The letter to Philemon mentions him among Paul’s companions, but here his name alone is mentioned. He greets the Colossians. There is in this expression “and Demas”, something cold that makes us feel what the apostle had to write later about him: “Demas abandoned me, having loved the present century”. Alas! how many are there not those servants of the Lord who, after a more or less long faithful race, have done as Demas, loved the present century and sought what it gives. What happened to their service? It is a very serious warning that is given by the example of this poor Demas.
To these greetings, Paul joins his own for the brothers who were in Laodicea. Paul greets in particular a certain Nymphas, at which an assembly met, just as in Colossae there was one in Philemon (Phm 1. 2), and in Rome, at Priscilla and Aquila (Rom 16. 3-5), who already had the congregation at home in Corinth (1 Cor 16:19). Then the apostle gives the order that the letter he wrote to the Colossians be, after they had read it, communicated to the assembly of the Laodiceans. For their part, the Colossians had to read the one that would come to them from Laodicea. We can also notice in passing that the assembly of laodiceans did not know how to take advantage of the apostle’s exhortations to find in Christ alone their treasure, to cling to him as dead with him, resurrected with him, having in him alone their life, and consequently, not to seek the things of the earth. We know that she came to find herself rich in what she had acquired, and to feel for Christ only the lukewarmness that made her vomit from the mouth of the Lord (Rev 3. 14). The abundance of religious knowledge is not enough, it is even a great danger, if intelligence alone is at stake. For Christ wants the whole heart and wants it whole.
Paul does not forget the people to whom a warning can be beneficial, given the place they occupy. Archippus is named, in the letter to Philemon, as the apostle’s comrade-in-arms. He was therefore also employed in the Lord’s work. As such, he had received from the Lord a special service (we do not know which one) that required his care. He had to be careful to do it faithfully. The services are varied.
The Master disposes as he pleases of his servants. Whatever it gives them something to do, they have to “accomplish” it with seriousness and dedication. Why this solemn warning given to Archippus? Solemn, for it is in a letter addressed to the whole assembly that he finds himself. Could it be that he left something to be desired in his service, or that being at the beginning of this ministry, he needed to feel all his responsibility before the assembly? In either case, we see here a word of Paul seasoned with salt,and good to meditate on for all those who, like Archippus, have received service in the Lord. “What is required in administrators is that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:1, 2).
One can imagine Archippus’ confusion when one hears his name in the letter read before the Assembly. What was this special service he had received from the Lord? It is enough that he knew it. And if the Spirit of God does not specify it, it is so that each believer can put his name in the place of that of Archippus. For thedisastrous state of the Assembly of Laodicea, described in Rev 3:14-22, shows that it did not benefit in any way from this letter which was then communicated to it. She remained poor, having accumulated other riches and treasures than those writtenin Col 1. 27 and Col.2. 2,3. She remained naked, not having been able to put on herself according to Col 3:8-17. May the Lord give us to heed the warnings of His Word! May it dwell in us richly.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Attitude towards those outside:
- Orderly thanksgiving
1 Ch 16:8 Praise the Lord, call upon His name! Make known among the people his great deeds! Ps 50:14 Offer for sacrifice to God thanksgiving, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. Eph 5:20 continually give thanks for all things to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;1 Thes 5:18 Give thanks in all things, for this is god’s will in Jesus Christ. 1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, and that has been given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the assembly of elders.
- Prayer requests
1 Sam 7:8 and they said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out for us to the Lord our God, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines. 1 Kings 13:6 Then the king spoke, and said to the man of God, implore Jehovah your God, and pray for me, that I may withdraw my hand. The man of God implored Jehovah, and the king was able to withdraw his hand, which was as before. Acts 8:24 Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me. Eph 6:19 Pray for me, that when I open my mouth, I may be given the opportunity to make known boldly and freely the mystery of the Gospel; 2 Th 3:1 For rest, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread and be glorified as it is in your home; Hb 13:18 Pray for us; for we believe that we have a good conscience, willing in all things to conduct ourselves well.
- The duty of hospitality
Rom 12:13 Provide for the needs of the Saints. Exercise hospitality. 1 Tim 5:10 may it be commendable by good works, having raised children, exercised hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, rescued the unfortunate, practiced every kind of good work. Hb 13:2 Do not forget hospitality; for, in exercising it, some have lodged angels, without knowing it. 1 Pet 4.9 Exercise hospitality to one another, without whispers.
- Spiritual words given as support in testimony
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to express themselves. 1 Cor 1:5 For in him you have been filled with all the riches that concern word and knowledge;2 Cor 8:7 Just as you excel in all things, in faith, in word, in knowledge, in zeal in all respects, and in your love for us, make sure that you also excel in this work of charity. Col 4:3 Pray at the same time for us, that God may open a door for the word, so that I may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,
From all of the above, we note that the apostle puts the final greeting in his own hand. This was the sign of the authenticity of his epistles (2 Thess 3. 17), and this had become necessary, because ill-intentioned men made use of letters supposedly coming from him (2 Thess 2. 2). We see from the epistle to the Romans that Paul did not always write his letters himself, but dictated them to some brother (Rom 16. 22). He insists to the Galatians that he has written everything to them in his own hand (Gal 6. 11), in order to show them all his solicitude for them, and this corroborates the thought that in general he did not write himself. In any case, he took precautions, so that the authority of his name was not abused, a sad necessity which shows how early falsehood and fraud were used, alas! in religious matters. It is only in conclusion that the apostle, whose complete absence of selfishness can be seen in this, claims the memory of the Colossians in the painful position in which he found himself. There is no one complaint: he suffered for the Lord; but he felt in his heart so loving the need for the sympathy of the saints. What a touching call! He had to go to the heart of the Colossians. Oh! let us think of God’s servants in their difficulties and sorrows. For him, he wishes them that grace will be with them, this grace to accompany them, support them, keep them and encourage them until the end of the road, thanks to which we all and always have such a great need! Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterhole to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “thanksgiving for the faith.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.