Chapter 4 is interesting in the names and contexts we see in Paul’s farewell. Paul begins by encouraging, “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” Colossians 4:1 NRSV, and then down in verse 9 mentions that Onesimus, the runaway slave from Philemon fame, is coming to see them.
He also tells them to expect Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, and to welcome him. Mark had been at odds with Paul earlier in the mission field and it is interesting to me that Paul makes note that he desires Mark to be treated well.
This conclusion helps me to remember that these are real men and women living and growing and maturing just like us!
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
3 comments:
Yes, good to see Onesimus mentioned!
Too bad we don't have a letter to the Laodiceans, eh? Those little hints at other writings are so curiosity-provoking!
Absolutely! No wonder the Divinci Code and other gospels are so popular - even when they need to be purchased in the fiction section. Perhaps there's a little Gnostic in all of us?
Bill
Good ending. I am also glad to see people living and growing – to know that there were even discrepancies on the earliest mission fields in Christianity, and that they, too, knew how to forgive.
I took particular interest in the verses about speech, vs. 5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” How important is that in our faith? Making the most of every opportunity, seasoning our conversations with salt – all very important things. Sometimes we have a very slim window of time to make an impression on someone, and we need to really make the most of that opportunity. If perchance they catch us when we are seasoning our conversations with crap instead of salt, we may lose that chance to change a life. Think about it! I have learned also that more and more, with my positions as a teacher, Sunday School teacher, and Young Life leader, people really listen what you say, and they call you on it also. You must see that hugely in your position as a Pastor. That doesn’t mean that I can be lax and fall into the pattern that others are creating around me, and season my conversation with crap…It seems pretty clear that we need to do what we can in this area.
Lord, I pray that you help me make the most of every opportunity, especially by watching my speech.
MB
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