Colossians 4:8

8. ἵνα γνῶτε τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν. So (א*) ABD*FgrGP. ἵνα γνῷ τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν Text. Rec. with אcCDbcKL vulg. Syrr. The external evidence leaves no doubt that the former is right.

8. = || Ephesians 6:22 word for word.

ὃν ἔπεμψα πρὸς ὑμᾶς. Epistolary aorist, “whom I send”; cf. Philemon 1:12.

ἵνα γνῶτε τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν. See notes on Textual Criticism. The alternative reading ἵνα γνῶτε τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν makes very good sense in itself as an introduction to the following clause, but (besides the evidence of the MSS. etc.) seems too contradictory of the εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο.

Observe the progressive character of St Paul’s thought about the information to be given: Colossians 4:7, ἐμέ, St Paul only; Colossians 4:8, ἡμῶν, St Paul and his fellow workers, especially Timothy; and Colossians 4:9, ὧδε, the state of affairs generally at Rome, with special reference of course to the Christian community there.

καὶ παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν. See note on Colossians 2:2; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:17. In cheering the Colossians’ hearts Onesimus could do little.