PAUL'S FELLOW MINISTERS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Paul’s Fellow Ministers
Colossians 1:7
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
Colossians 4:7, 17
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
a) Paul calls Tychicus "a faithful minister and fellow bond-slave in the Lord" (Colossians 4:7). He had used the same description of Epaphrus (Colossians 1:7). Paul charges Archippus, "Take heed to your ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may keep fulfilling it" (Colossians 4:17). Paul did not regard himself as alone in the ministry, nor as superior in it. He recognized that others had been given the same ministry by the Lord Jesus.
b) Paul names many other men in chapter four who are also apparently regarded by Paul as his fellows in the ministry. There is Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Jesus, Luke, Demas, and Nymphas. We understand therefore that there is not one person who we call "the minister" but that the ministry is given to many.
The End ...
1. Paul’s Fellow MinistersColossians 1:7
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
Colossians 4:7, 17
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
a) Paul calls Tychicus "a faithful minister and fellow bond-slave in the Lord" (Colossians 4:7). He had used the same description of Epaphrus (Colossians 1:7). Paul charges Archippus, "Take heed to your ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may keep fulfilling it" (Colossians 4:17). Paul did not regard himself as alone in the ministry, nor as superior in it. He recognized that others had been given the same ministry by the Lord Jesus.
b) Paul names many other men in chapter four who are also apparently regarded by Paul as his fellows in the ministry. There is Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Jesus, Luke, Demas, and Nymphas. We understand therefore that there is not one person who we call "the minister" but that the ministry is given to many.
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