Still the apostle is sending salutations from Rome to the Colossians.

1. From St. Luke, who, of. physician for the body, becomes. physician for the soul, as Matthew of. publican, became. preacher. Luke well deserved the title here given him of beloved, in that he undertook the ministry at. time when civil authority did allow no maintenance for ministers, and when his employment as. physician would probably have advantaged him much more. Luke, the beloved physician, greets you.

2. Demas also, who when persecution grew hot, his affections grew cold; yet now he sends salutations with the rest to the church at Colosse. St. Paul complains of his forsaking of him, 2 Timothy 4:10 for the sake of this present world. Let no professor judge of himself by his external profession, by his performance of outward duties, by his associating himself with the people of God, nay, by his sufferings with the servants of God, (Demas did all this,) but by their sincere love to Christ and persevering faithfulness in the trying hour of temptation; we know not what we are till sufferings appear.

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Old Testament