Final Greetings(4:15-18):
Paul sent greetings to the sister churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis. These people had never seen Paul (Col.2:1), yet he was interested in them and concerned about their spiritual welfare.
Nympha was a believing woman and it appears that the church met in her home. In the first century and even today also churches, local assemblies meet in private homes. After Christian faith emerged from persecution into official government approval that church buildings were constructed. It does not matter whether the church meets in a building or in private homes as long as Jesus Christ is the centre of the fellowship. Paul wanted his letter to be read in Colossae and also in Laodicea. Public reading of the Word of God carries blessings (Rev.1:3).
We do not know whether Paul wrote a separate letter to the Church in Laodicea or was it missing. We must understand that God not only inspired His Word, but He providentially watched over it so that nothing would be lost that was supposed to be in that Word. Instead of wondering about what we do not have, we should be applying ourselves to what we do have!
Archippus: Archippus belonged to the family of Philemon (Phil.2). He was Philemon’s son and the pastor of the church that met in Philemon’s house. Apphia was his mother and the wife of Philemon. Paul encourages Achippus to continue faithfully in his ministry. Pastors in the 1st century were facing many problems with false teachers, syncretism and they often needed a word of encouragement. Paul reminded Archippus that his ministry was a gift from God, and that he was a steward of God who would one day have to give an account of his work. Since the Lord gave him his ministry, the Lord could also help him to carry it out in the right way. Ministry is not something we do for God; it is something God does in and through us. The encouragement Paul gave to Archippus should stir up our own lives and continue to involve in ministry.
Paul usually dictated his letters to a secretary and then signed his name at the end. He always added a sentence about the grace of God, for this was his “trademark” (2 Thess. 3:17-18). The combination of his signature and “grace” gave proof that the letter was authentic.
Paul wanted them to remember his chains because those bonds were a reminder of his love for lost souls, especially the Gentiles. He was “the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles” (Eph. 3:1). Paul’s bonds were evidence of his obedience to the Lord and his willingness to pay any price so that the Gentiles might hear the Gospel. Like Paul there are many Missionaries and evangelists are in jails just for the sake of the Lord. We must remember them daily in our prayers.
What we can learn from Paul’s letter to Colossians:
- False teaching was prevalent even in the 1st century. So we must be careful in our Christian life.
- Believers must be ready for the High calling. We have to put on something and put off something else, in order to qualify for the victory prize.
- The Christian household must display a role model for the transformation of the society and the world, the way Philemon accepted Onesimus and subsequent eradication of slavery.
- Only prayer, proclamation of God’s word and witnessing to others can keep us spiritually growing and be conformed into the likeness of Christ.
- Appreciate and encourage other believers.
- God has perfectly equipped us for the life that God wants us to live. We can grow in God only through Sanctification but not by acquiring something worldly.
Note: Please use this notes only as an outline, but spend more time studying the Word of God. For your questions, please contact, Kati Ravikumar, Mob: +918986873994; Email: katiravikumar@gmail.com