Colossians 4:9

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. ONESIMUS - the slave mentioned in , , "a brother beloved:" Paul's son in the faith; therefore sent with Tychicus as his safeguard, and put under the spiritual protection of the whole Colossian Church, as well as of Philemon his master. A FAITHFUL AND BELOVED BROTHER - `the faithful brother,' he being known to the Colossians as slave of Philemon, their fellow-townsman and fellow-Christian. ONE OF YOU - belonging to your city. THEY SHALL MAKE KNOWN UNTO YOU ALL (THE) THINGS. This repetition of "all my state shall Tychicus declare unto you," favours the reading in...

He adds, _Onesimus_, that the embassy may have the more weight. It is, however, uncertain who this Onesimus was. For it can scarcely be believed that this is the slave of Philemon, inasmuch as the name of a thief and a fugitive would have been liable to reproach. (476) He distinguishes both of them by honorable titles, that they may do the more good, and especially Tychicus, who was to exercise the office of an instructor....

7-9 Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another. They have one Lord, though they have different stations and powers for service. It is a great comfort under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have fellow Christians caring for us. Circumstances of life make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians; they partake of the same privileges, and are entitled to the same regards. What amazing changes Divine grace makes! Faithless servants become faithful and beloved brethren, and some who had done wrong, become fellow-workers of good....

Verse 9. _WITH ONESIMUS - WHO IS_ ONE _OF YOU._] Onesimus was a native of some part of Phrygia, if not of Colosse itself; and being lately converted to the Christian faith by the instrumentality of the apostle, he would be able, on this account, to give them satisfactory information concerning the apostle's state, which would be doubly acceptable to them as he was their countryman. See the _Epistle_ to _Philemon_. _ALL THINGS WHICH_ are done _here._] FG, the _Vulgate, Itala,_ _Jerome_, and _Bede_, add here πραττομενα, _what is done_, which we have supplied in _Italics_ in our translation. These brethren could give an account of the transactions at Rome, relative to the apostle and Christianity, which it might not be prudent for him to commit to writing. Colossians 4:7. The reign of Nero was n

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, that Onesimus was from Phrygia, and probably from the city of Colossae itself. It would seem also that he was of a higher rank than is designated by the word “slave” now. He was, indeed, a “servant” δοῦλ

EXPOSITION COLOSSIANS 4:1 (See Colossians 3:1.) COLOSSIANS 4:2 SECTION IX. PRAYER AND SOCIAL CONVERSE. There are added some brief exhortations of a more general tenor, the contents of which are summed up in the heading given to this section. COLOSSIANS 4:2 CONTINUE STEADFAST IN PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL (or, _wakeful_) THEREIN, WITH THANKSGIVING. "Steadfast

WITH ONESIMUS,.... Who had been Philemon's servant, ran away from him, and was met with and converted by the Apostle Paul, of whom he says many things in his epistle to his master. According to the Apostolic Constitutions, he was afterwards bishop of Beyrhoea; and some say he suffered martyrdom under Domitian; a servant of this name is mentioned by Suetonius i, Ignatius k speaks of one Onesimus as bishop of Ephesus, but not the same with this, A FAITHFUL AND BELOVED BROTHER, WHO IS ONE OF YOU; either one of their ministers, as Epaphras was, 1 Thessalonians 3:12 or one of their city, who was originally a native of that place; and which the apostle mentions, the more to recommend him; though this is the least part of his commendation; he calls him a "brother", being both a converted man, and in the ministry; and being faithful in his work to Christ, and great

CHAPTER 4 __ 1. Prayer and ministry (Colossians 4:2) 2. Walking in wisdom (Colossians 4:5) 3. The fellowship of the saints in their service (Colossians 4:7) 4. The conclusion (Colossians 4:18) Colossians 4:2 The first verse of this chapter belongs to the preceding one. Prayer is the most needed thing for those who are risen with Christ and know that they are complete in Him. Without continued prayer the full realization of the great truths unfolded in this Epistle is impossible. Communi

COMMENDATIONS AND SALUTATIONS. Colossians 4:7. Tychicus: _cf._ Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12. Colossians 4:9. Onesimus: there is a touch of gentle humour in this reference to the returning runaway, both in what it says, and in what it omits. Colossians 4:10. Aristarchus: _ cf._...

THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE CHRISTIAN (Colossians 3:18-25 ; Colossians 4:1) _ 4:1 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not treat them harshly._ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not irritate your children, that they may not lose heart. Slaves, obey in all things those who are your human masters, not only when you are watched, like those whose only desire is to please men, but in sincerity of heart, reverencing the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it heartily, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for men; and never forget that you will receive from the Lord your just recompense, even your share in the inheritance. Show yourselves t