We’ve reached the end of a verse-by-verse study through Paul’s epistle to the Colossians. I pray this study has been helpful and that your understanding of this amazing letter has given you a deeper love for the Lord and His Church. If you’ve missed any part of the study, you can find the entire series archived under the category Colossians.
Let’s dive into the final verses of Colossians:
Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Colossians 4:7-18 ESV
While it may be tempting to gloss over Paul’s closing salutations because they are directed at specific individuals, there are valuable lessons for us today: His personal greetings paint a vivid picture of the importance of community in ministry.
Paul commends Tychicus and Onesimus (a runaway slave who we learn more of in Paul’s letter to Philemon) as the men who brought news of Paul’s ministry and encouragement to the church, he mentions Mark and Justis, the Jewish converts who helped and comforted him, he underscores Epaphras’s fervent prayer for the Colossians’ spiritual maturity and assurance in God’s will, and he greets Nympha and the church in her house. Paul also acknowledges Aristarchus, his fellow prisoner for the sake of the gospel, Luke the physician (and author of the gospel of Luke), Demas, and he gives a charge to Archippus to fulfill his ministry.
What we see here is a diverse yet tight-knit group of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, united by their devotion to the Lord, using their unique gifts, talents, and circumstances to share the gospel and care for others in the church.
The same should be true for us today. We are called to invest in personal relationships within the church, fostering encouragement, prayer, and a united mission to carry the gospel forward. By supporting one another, we reflect the unity and love that defines the body of Christ, strengthening our witness in a dark and fragmented world.
Looking at the examples of Epaphras and Archippus, we are also challenged to pray diligently for our church family and to embrace our unique contributions in ministry, no matter how big or small, knowing that God equips each of us for good works (ref: Eph. 2:10, Heb. 13:21). By doing so, we build up the Church and advance the gospel, just like Paul’s faithful companions did.
Paul also instructs the Colossians to share his letter with the church in Laodicea (a neighboring city) and to read the letter sent from Laodicea, emphasizing the universal nature of God’s truth and the need for community between Christian churches.
Ultimately, we find Paul’s final greetings reveal his reliance on and appreciate of a devoted team of co-workers in ministry, from former runaway slaves to faithful prayer warriors. He couldn’t do ministry alone, and neither can we.
Paul closes out his letter by stating that he wrote the greeting “with his own hand.” While there are a few opinions on why Paul did not or could not physically pen the entire letter himself (it was likely transcribed by Timothy), this hand-written final greeting not only reinforced the authenticity of the letter, as well as its authority to be viewed as scripture, but also added a warm and personal touch.
And finally, as was his custom, he ends the letter with “grace be with you,” perfectly summing up a beautiful, heartfelt, and powerful letter that is as relevant and important to us today as it was when written nearly 2,000 years ago.
The closing verses of Colossians remind us that our faith and ministry cannot thrive in isolation. This should inspire us to pray more fervently for our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in ministry leadership, embrace our God-given roles and talents in serving, and foster unity founded in truth within our churches. By living out these principles, we honor Paul’s desire that we live, serve, and work heartily for the Lord, being a light to the world through our genuine faithfulness and love rooted in Christ.