Daily Reading February 13 2010 from Colossians 4:7-18 NIV

Day 34

I could not access the internet yesterday our hotel was experience technical difficulties so here is yesterday's scripture and commentary.

Colossians 4:7-18 NIV
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

These concluding verses of the letter to the Colossians include Paul's mention of his fellow servants. Paul speaks of friends such as Tychicus who he is sending to the Colossians, Onesimus who is apparently a Colossian himself, the Apostle Luke the physician, and many others. It appears that Paul is wanting these people to know that they are not alone that others care greatly about them. This was a common practice of the Apostle Paul to send members of his team to these churches to encourage them to continue in their faith. He closes with a request that this letter also be read to the church at Laodicea. Though we know often we read Paul's letters and find they are written by others in this case in verse 18 Paul makes mention that he has written at least this section with his own hand. This appears to be another way that Paul is emphasizing the importance of this correspondence.

Pastor Larry