Episode 78: Not alone (part 1)

Among the people Paul names at the end of his letter, three are Jews: Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, whom he calls his “co-workers” (Col 4:10-11). We know nothing about Justus, but Aristarchus is mentioned five times in the New Testament, and Mark is described at the “cousin of Barnabas,” making it possible to speculate a bit about the latter two. The larger point, however, is that while ministry is often a lonely profession today, Paul didn’t do ministry alone.

What is Chunks: Paul's Letter to the Colossians?

The church in the city of Colossae had recently been founded by one of the apostle Paul's colleagues; he had never met them personally. But he had heard of their faith and of some of the challenges that threatened to undermine that faith, including what seems to be the presence of false teachers who were leading them astray. Paul therefore writes to them from prison, lovingly encouraging them to realize the treasure they already have in the gospel. In so doing, he paints a magnificent and cosmic portrait of the Christ in whom they've already believed, and in whom they've been given a new and transformed nature. His words should help remind believers of every time and place that the Christ we worship is supreme. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages will be read from the New International Version.)