Colossians 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-9

The bearers of the Epistle to the Colossians. Though the apostle had but few friends at this time in Rome to comfort him in his "bonds," he spares two of them to comfort the Colossians. I. THE PERSONS WHO CARRY THE EPISTLE TO COLOSSAE . Tychicus and Onesimus. 1 . Tychicus. (a) A beloved brother, in relation to the whole Christian Church; (b) a faithful minister, in relation to his evangelistic services to the apostle ( Acts 20:4 ); (c) a fellow... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

SECTION X. PERSONAL MESSAGES AND GREETINGS . St. Paul concludes his letter, first, by introducing to the Colossians its bearer, Tychicus, along with whom he commends to them their own Onesimus, returning to his master (verses 7-9); then, according to his custom, he conveys greetings from his various friends and helpers present with him at the time, in particular from Mark, who was likely to visit them, and from Epaphras their own devoted minister (verses 10-14); thirdly, he sends... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Sect. 10. Personal messages and greetings. The last section of this letter is of a more purely epistolary character, and is not, therefore, so directly available as the foregoing sections for public instruction, belonging to its framework or setting as a piece of Christian teaching. Nevertheless, these closing verses have their own peculiar interest and value—great value for historical and critical purposes, connecting the Epistle as they do by the most authentic notes of circumstantial... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

The apostle's entourage. At the time when this Epistle was written Paul had a considerable band about him. Though a prisoner in Borne, he has gathered round him a troop of friends. The time has not come when he has to say, "Only Luke is with me" ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ). It is interesting to notice these he has at this time around him. I. THE LETTER CARRIERS . (Verses 7-9.) These are Tychicus and Onesimus. They carry each a letter—Tychicus this letter to the Church, Onesimus the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

The personal. I. AFFAIRS OF THE APOSTLE . He gives his reason for not entering on these in his letter. The paragraph is similar in construction to Ephesians 6:21 , Ephesians 6:22 . The difference is confined to two points. 1 . The designation of Tychicus as fellow servant. "All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Christian greeting. As we read this last paragraph of our Epistle, we are struck: 1 . With the humanity of our holy religion. There is a natural tone about the ending of every one of Paul's letters; there is the naming of men, the greeting of friends, the talk about personal affairs. If the Bible were concerned only with systems, institutions, theories, doctrines, arguments, it would never be, as it surely is, the great heart book of the world. Its charm is its humanness. And it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Personal salutations and pastoral cares. The personal references in Paul's Epistles are valuable in several ways. "Proper names, although they be recited alone in the Scriptures, are not to be despised" ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ). "For like as if any one should find dry herbs, having neither fragrance nor colour that was pleasing, arranged in the surgery of a doctor, however mean may be their appearance, will yet guess that some virtue or remedy is concealed in them; so in the pharmacopoeia of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:9

With Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is (one) of you ( Colossians 4:7 ; Philemon 1:10 , Philemon 1:16 ; Colossians 1:2 ; 1 Peter 5:12 ). "In Christ there is no slave" ( Colossians 3:11 ). Onesimus, like Epaphras and Tychicus, is a brother, to be trusted and loved (comp. Philemon 1:10-17 ). This language strongly supports the appeal of Colossians 4:1 , and would further the purpose of the apostle's intercession to Onesimus' master. And Onesimus even... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Colossians 4:9

With Onesimus - Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colossae; see the notes at Philemon 1:10. Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt toward him the warm attachment of a brother; Philemon 1:16. In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A more full account of him will be found in the notes at the Epistle to Philemon.Who is one of you - That is, either who is from your city, or one of your own people and nation. It is clear from this,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Colossians 4:7-9

Colossians 4:7-9. All my state The things which relate to myself; shall Tychicus declare unto you See on Ephesians 6:21. With Onesimus, who is one of you Or, rather, who is from you, as εξ υμων seems to mean; or, who is your countryman; for it does not appear that he could be a member of the church at Colosse before he left his master Philemon, since, it is certain he was converted after that period by the apostle at Rome. See Philemon 1:10. read more

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