Later, when Paul and Barnabas wanted to go on a second journey, Paul refused to take John Mark along (Acts 15:36-41). This has caused a division between Paul and Barnabas. However, we must admit that Paul did forgive John Mark and commend him: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11).
Mark, Titus, and Timothy were young men who served as special representatives for the Apostle Paul. He sent them to churches which had problems to solve. By the grace of God, John Mark had overcome his first failure and had become a valuable servant of God. He was even chosen to write the Gospel of Mark!
John Mark is an encouragement to everyone who has failed in His first attempts to serve God. He did not sit around and sulk. He got back into the ministry and proved himself faithful to the Lord and to the Apostle Paul. He was one of the men who stayed with Paul.
- Jesus Justus: (4:11). Jesus Justus was a Jewish believer who served with Paul, but we know nothing about him. The name Jesus (Joshua) was a popular Jewish name, and it was not unusual for Jewish people to have a Roman name as well (Justus). Jesus Justus represents those faithful believers who serve God but whose deeds are not announced for the whole world to know. He was a fellow worker with Paul and a comfort to Paul, and that is all we know about him. However, the Lord has kept a faithful record of this man’s life and ministry and will reward him accordingly.
- Luke (4:14 a): Luke was a very important man in the early church. He was a Gentile, yet he was chosen by God to write the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He is probably the only Gentile writer of any book of the Bible. He was also a physician, and was dearly loved by Paul. The profession of medicine had been held by the Greeks and physicians were held in the highest regard in those days and even now also. Even though Paul had the power to heal people, he travelled with a physician!
Luke joined with Paul and his party at Troas (Acts 16:10). Luke travelled with Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:5 ff) and was with him on the voyage to Rome (Acts 27: M. No doubt Luke’s personal presence and his professional skill were a great encouragement to Paul during that very difficult time. While God can and does bring strength and healing in miraculous ways, He also uses the means provided in nature, such as medication.
Luke remained with Paul to the very end (2 Tim. 4:11). God used Luke to write the Book of Acts and to give us the inspired history of the early church and the ministry of Paul. Luke is a glowing example of the professional man who uses his skills in the service of the Lord and gives himself to go wherever God sends. He was a beloved Christian, a skilful physician, a devoted friend and a careful historian, all wrapped up in one!
- Epaphras: He founded the church in Colossae (Col 1:7-8). He had been led to Christ through Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and had returned to home to share the Good News of salvation. It seems likely that Epaphras also founded the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col 4:13). In our modern terms, Epaphras became a “home missionary.
- Dear fellow servant and faithful minister: (1:7): He was “a servant of Christ.” Epaphras loved Jesus Christ and wanted to serve Him and share His message of salvation. But he did not do it alone. Epaphras also believed in the ministry of the local church, and in working with other saints. He was not just a “servant”; he was a “fellow servant.”
One of the secrets of the ministry of Epaphras was his prayer life. Paul knew this because Epaphras and Paul shared the same room. Paul knew of this man’s prayer life?
- He prayed constantly: (4:12): Paul said: “Continue in prayer” (Col.4:2). Epaphras did not pray only when he felt like it, as do many Christians today. Nor did he pray when he was told to pray, or when the other believers prayed. He was constantly in prayer, seeking God’s blessing.
- He prayed fervently “labouring fervently.” The word used here means “agonizing.” It is the same word used when our Lord Jesus was praying in the Garden (Lk.22:44). We get the impression that prayer was serious business of Epaphras! If church members today realise the importance and power of prayer, there would soon be a mighty revival in our country. Some one said like this: “Prayer is the wealth for every believer on this world.” If any Christian wants to acquire wealth, he must pray for others and the building up of the Kingdom of God. Each one will be rewarded as they have done (Rom.2:6). God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”