7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
Interesting Words
Tychicus
(Τυχικός – Greek) – Tuchikos ► noun: from a derivative of perhaps… fortuitous, fortunate – Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21; Titus 3:12; 2Tim 4:12;
Onesimus
(Ὀνήσιμος – Greek) – Onésimos ► noun: from benefit… profitable – Philemon 1:10;
Aristarchus
(Ἀρίσταρχος – Greek) – Aristarchos ► noun: from a superlative of take, by way of dinner, began… best ruling, best leader – Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2; Philemon 1:24;
Mark
(Μᾶρκος – Greek) – Markos ► noun: of latin origin, according to the tradition of the church the author of the second canonical Gospel, son of a certain Mary who dwelt at Jerusalem (she was perhaps converted to Christianity by Peter), cousin of Barnabas and the companion of Paul and associate of Peter… Mark – Acts 12:12, 25, 15:37, 39; 2Tim 4:11; Philemon 1:24; 1Peter 5:13;
Justus
(Ἰοῦστος – Greek) – Ioustos ► noun: of Latin origin (“just”)… Justus, the name of three Christians – Acts 1:23, 18:7
Epaphras
(Ἐπαφρᾶς – Greek) – Epaphras ► noun: contracted from Epaphroditus… Epaphras – Col 1:7; Philemon 1:23;
Luke
(Λουκᾶς – Greek) – Loukas ► noun: contracted from Latin Lucanus… Luke – 2Tim 4:11; Philemon 1:24;
Demas
(Δημᾶς – Greek) – Démas ► noun: probably for Demetrius… Demas – 2Tim 4:10; Philemon 1:24;
Nympha
(Νύμφαν – Greek) – Numpha ► noun: probably contracted for a compound of bride and gifts (present, specially, a sacrifice)… Nymphas – One occurrence in the NT, here in Col 4:15;
Archippus
(Ἀρχιππος – Greek) – Archippos ► noun: from beginning and horses, horse-ruler… Archippus – Philemon 1:2;
Cross References
▪︎ Rom 16:17, 18, 19-20;
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1. Consider all the information you can find on each person that Paul names here, and record your observations below for each person:
Tychicus
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Onesimus
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Aristarchus
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Mark
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Justus
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Epaphras
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Luke
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Demas
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Nympha
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Archippus
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2. What common threads do you see from the above exercise?
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3. What role does sin play and how does it get started?
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4. How can we insure that we stay the course and finish strong?
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