Philemon 1:23-24

Salute . The salutations correspond generally to those with which the Epistle to the Colossians closes, but they are fuller, as is natural, in the longer Epistle. The order is in—

Colossians

Philemon

Tychicus

Epaphras

Onesimus

Marcus

Aristarchus

Aristarchus

Marcus

Demas

Jesus Justus

Lucas

Epaphras

Lucas

Demas

My fellow-prisoner. The word occurs elsewhere only in Romans 16:7 , besides the parallel passage in Colossians 4:10 . As to Epaphras , see above. Marcus , having once forsaken the apostle ( Acts 13:13 ; Acts 15:37-39 ), had now returned, and was with him in Rome. Aristarchus was "a Macedonian of Thessalonica," and had accompanied St. Paul in his memorable voyage to Rome ( Acts 27:2 ). Demas was now the "co-worker" of the apostle at Rome, but at a later period he had departed unto Thessalonica ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ), and we know nothing of his subsequent history. Tradition (Epiph., 'Haer.,' 41:6) relates that he also apostatized from Christianity; but the apostle's phrase, though a strong one, does not necessarily mean this. Lucas (see 2 Corinthians 8:18 ).