Colossians 4:7-17

The following is a Bible study originally posted on our Bible Study Group.

First, next week we're going to be almost wrapping up Colossians by studying Colossians 4:7-17 (all but the last verse, which we'll do in two weeks). I would like several "volunteers" to study a verse and write about it next Wednesday. Why? Because the remaining verses talk about several Bible people who lived in Colossia. I am hoping that you will choose to study a person, look them up in a Bible concordance (or search at http://bible.gospelcom.net) to see if they are mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, then try to tell us something this person's life has taught you.

These are the Bible people mentioned: 
- Tychicus (v. 7-8, and the second half of verse 9)
- Onesimus (v. 9, end of verse 11)
- Aristarcyhus (v.10, end of verse 11)
- Mark (v. 10, end of verse 11)
- Jesus (v. 11)
- Epaphras (v. 12-13)
- Luke (v. 14)
- Demas (v. 14)
- the brethren who are in Laodicea (v. 15-16)
- Nymphas (v. 15)
- Archippus (v. 17)

Whew! So I'm looking for 11 volunteers? "Can we do it? Yes, we can!!!" LOL! 

The following Discussion Group members posted Bible studies...

Yvonne wrote:

I found this really interesting!

Anne, you gave me Col. 4:7-8 and the end of verse 9.

Paul is speaking here, and he calls Tychicus a beloved brother, a faithful minister, a fellow-servant in the Lord. Paul tells the Colossians that "he will tell you all the news about me". 

Paul had a close brotherly relationship with Tychicus.

Paul sent Tychicus to the church in Colossi for the purpose of finding out news about how they were doing. "I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know of your circumstances and comfort your hearts", with Onesimus. "They will make known to you all things which are happening here."

Tychicus also appears in Acts 20:4.

And Sopater of Berea accompanied Paul to Asia. Tychicus of Asia went ahead and waited at Troas.

Here again in Ephesians 6:21, "But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychcus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you."

2 Tim. 4:12, "And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus..." 

And lastly, I found mention of him in Titus 3:12, "When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus..."

I was amazed at how many times Tychicus appears! Despite Paul's imprisonment the ministry was very busy! Tychicus brought encouragement from Paul, perhaps also brought Paul's letters. 

I know that the Bible is the word of God, but I think that studying this one person, and there were many others also who labored with Paul, this reminded me that God used ordinary men and women, and their lives are recorded... they were living witnesses in their time to God's goodness.

It's difficult for me to actually get across in words what God has shown me in this short study. These believers in the Lord were just like us. Tychicus lived and worked in Rome, when he wasn't traveling to other churches, and it occurred to me that with all that God was doing, the Roman emperor at that time was Nero, and the Christian believers were going through severe persecution, or were about to. How easy my life is in comparison! I wonder if circumstances will change for us today, and would we be willing to live for God all the way?! I did wonder what happened to Tychicus, did he live through the persecution? Was he martyred in a terrible way? I am convinced that he would not have bent the knee to Nero, who thought himself a god. 

I loved doing this study, Anne, thank you! It has really made me think. 

Praise God for His living Word!

Danielle wrote:

I was given Onesimus from Col 4:9-10. I know I said it once but I have to say it again. How rich a study this was and how lucky I am to have received it. Thank you, Anne. I encourage everyone to take a closer look at Onesimus. I have always loved to look up the meaning of names, especially Bible names. Onesimus' name means profitable, useful. I tell you this up front because it becomes important when you look at him.

At first glance in Col 4:9-10 you get some quick facts about him. That he is faithful, a beloved brother, and that he is one of them. You get the feeling that he is close to Paul from just these few verses. You also know that he is from Colosse. 

The only other place he is listed is in Philemon 1:10. Most of this epistle is about Onesimus. This is where I spent most of my study time and where I encourage you to take a peek for yourself. How rich it is. 

Some background information about Onesimus is that he was a slave of Philemon's. He stole some money from him and ran away. Onesimus meets Paul in Rome who tells him the gospel. Onesimus becomes a brother in Christ. Paul, knowing he is a slave and probably going to be killed for what he did, puts himself on the line and pleads Onesimus' case to Philemon. That is where we get the epistle of Philemon. Paul actually pens this one himself, and I believe it is the shortest letter by Paul. I found it to be a very personal letter. You get a glimpse of the closeness between these two men. 

Philemon was a gracious man who loved Christ and the gospel. Paul probably had an active roll in his conversion because he writes, "you owe me for your life." I thought about this a lot. That I might owe a little to the people that played a part in my salvation. Perhaps that is why they often come to my mind. 

I think Paul gets into wrestling or looking at the relationship between master and slave. One He could relate too. One when I looked at it I could relate to. Onesimus came to Paul a slave useless and now he is a Christian useful not only to Paul but to Philemon. When looking at this I think you see the transforming power of God's grace to make a useless slave profitable. Until that time we receive we are all slaves like Onesimus. Here you see the alluding to Onesimus' name's meaning. Paul is so brilliant. 

He expected Philemon to accept Onesimus as he would Paul. I see a parallel with God here. That God excepts us a former slave just in the way he would accept Jesus. Eph. 1-6 even though we are as unworthy as a runaway slave.  

You also see a beautiful picture of Paul willing to charge anything Onesimus owes to himself. Something that Christ did for us. Something we should do for our friends and fellow believers. It doesn't take a lot to realize that Christ did this for us. That he charged all our sin to his account. Our debt of sin was paid. Rom 3:25-26. What a lucky man Onesimus was and what a lucky woman I am to have had this done for me. I'm forgiven because he was forsaken, as the song goes. What an amazing love.

Well I could probably write more and I am sure I missed a bunch but I was blessed and I hope you are, too!

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