DIGGING DEEP NO. 1082 May 6, 2025 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS (PART 10) FRIENDS AND COUNTRY MEN Col.4: 10 – 14.

Paul was not only a soul-winner; he was a great friend maker. It was customary in Paul’s day to close each letter with personal greetings. Paul sent personal greetings to Colosse from six of his associates in the ministry.

Aristarchus, John Mark, and Jesus Justus, all of whom were Jews; and Epaphras, Luke, and Demas, who were Gentiles. Paul then added special greetings to two church assemblies, with a special word to one of the pastors. When we first read this list of names, we are probably not greatly moved. But when we get behind the scenes and discover the drama of these men’s lives as they worked with Paul, the list becomes very exciting. We can categorize these men into three groups.

The men who stayed – Col.4: 10- 11, 14a. This group is made up of three Jews; Aristarchus, John Mark, Jesus Justus; and one Gentile Luke. All of them were characterized by faithfulness to Paul in his hour of special need. They were the men who stayed.

Aristarchus – Vs.10a. This man was identified as Paul’s fellow prisoner and fellow worker Col.4: 11. Aristarchus was from Macedonia and was one of Paul’s traveling companions Acts.19: 29. He was originally from Thessalonica Acts.20; 4 and willingly risked his life in that Ephesian riot Acts.19: 28- 41. He sailed with Paul to Rome Acts.27: 2, which meant he also experienced the storm and shipwreck that Luke so graphically described in Act.27. Aristarchus stayed with Paul no matter what the circumstances were; a riot in Ephesus, a voyage, a storm, or even a prison. He was a voluntary prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

Reflection – Paul could not have accomplished all that he did apart from the assistance of his friends. Aristarchus stands out as one of the greatest of Paul’s helpers. He did not look for an easy task. He did not run when the going got tough. He suffered and labored with Paul.

John Mark – Vs.10b. Mark, the writer of the second gospel, played a very important part in the early history of the church. He too was a Jew, a native of Jerusalem where his mother, Mary, kept “open house” for the believers Acts.12: 12. John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas, the man who went with Paul on that first missionary journey Acts.13: 1- 3. When Paul and Barnabas set out on that first missionary journey, they took John Mark with them as their assistance. But when the going got tough, John Mark abandoned the preachers and returned home to Jerusalem Acts.13: 5- 13. Why John Mark quit is not explained in scripture. Perhaps he was afraid, for the group was about to move into dangerous territory. Perhaps he resented the fact that Paul was taking over the leadership of the mission and replacing his relative, Barnabas. Or maybe John Mark resented Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. Whatever the reason or excuse, he left them and returned home. Later, when Paul and Barnabas wanted to go on a second journey, Paul refused to take John Mark along Acts.15: 36-41. It was too bad that John Mark caused a division between Paul and Barnabas. However, Paul did forgive John Mark and commended him 2Tim.4: 11. John Mark, Titus and Timothy were young men who served as special representatives for the apostle Paul. He could send them to churches that were having problems and trust them to help solve them. 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.

Reflection – 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. It is good to be a Barnabas and encourage young Christians in the Lord. Barnabas lived up to his name “son of encouragement” Acts,4: 36.

Jesus Justus – Vs. 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).

Reflection – 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. The Lord kept a faithful record of this man’s life and ministry and will reward him accordingly.

Luke – Vs.14a. 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 was also a physician, and was dearly loved by Paul. Even though Paul had the power to heal people, he travelled with a physician. Luke travelled with Paul to Jerusalem Acts.20: 5, and was with him on the voyage to Rome Acts.27: 1. No doubt Luke’s personal presence and his professional skill were a great encouragement to Paul during that very difficult time. Luke remained with Paul to the very end 2Tim.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.

Reflection – 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 skillful physician, a devoted friend, and a careful historian; all wrapped up in one!