Col 4:9-11 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 9. With Onesimus . Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colosse. . Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt towards him the warm attachment of a brother, . In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A more full account of him will be found in the Notes on the epistle to Philemon. Who is one of you . That is, either who is from your city, or one of your own people and nation. It is clear from this, that Onesimus was from Phrygia, and probably from the city of Colosse itself. It would seem, also, that he was of a higher rank than is designated by the word " slave " now. He was, indeed, a "servant" δουλος --of Philemon; but would the apostle have addressed the Colossians, and said that he was " one of them ," if he had occupied precisely the condition which is now denoted by the word slave? Would a minister of the gospel now in the Northern States, who should send a letter by a runaway slave to a community of masters at the South, say of him that he was " one of them ?" Would it be kindly received, or produce a good impression , if he did? There is reason, therefore, to think that Onesimus was not a slave in the proper sense, but that he might have been a respectable youth, who had bound himself to service for a term of years, Comp. . They shall make known unto you all things which are done here . Relating to Paul himself, and the state of the church in Rome. As the epistle which Paul sent was designed not only for them, but to be a part of the volume of revealed truth, he wrote only those things which would be of permanent interest. Other matters he left for those who carried the epistle to communicate. It would also serve to give Tychius and Onesimus more respectability in view of the church at Colosse, if he referred the church to them for information on important points. (b) "a faithful"

Colossians 4:9-11

Verse 9. With Onesimus. Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colosse. Phm 1:10. Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt towards him the warm attachment of a brother, Phm 1:16. In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A more full account of him will be found in the Notes on the epistle to Philemon.

Who is one of you. That is, either who is from your city, or one of your own people and nation. It is clear from this, that Onesimus was from Phrygia, and probably from the city of Colosse itself. It would seem, also, that he was of a higher rank than is designated by the word "slave" now. He was, indeed, a "servant" δουλος --of Philemon; but would the apostle have addressed the Colossians, and said that he was "one of them," if he had occupied precisely the condition which is now denoted by the word slave? Would a minister of the gospel now in the Northern States, who should send a letter by a runaway slave to a community of masters at the South, say of him that he was "one of them?" Would it be kindly received, or produce a good impression, if he did? There is reason, therefore, to think that Onesimus was not a slave in the proper sense, but that he might have been a respectable youth, who had bound himself to service for a term of years, Comp. Phm 1:18.

They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. Relating to Paul himself, and the state of the church in Rome. As the epistle which Paul sent was designed not only for them, but to be a part of the volume of revealed truth, he wrote only those things which would be of permanent interest. Other matters he left for those who carried the epistle to communicate. It would also serve to give Tychius and Onesimus more respectability in view of the church at Colosse, if he referred the church to them for information on important points.

(b) "a faithful" Phm 1:10 Verse 10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner. Aristarchus was of Thessalonica, and is mentioned in Acts 19:29, 20:4, as Paul's companion in his travels. In Acts 27:2, it is said that he accompanied him in his voyage to Rome, and from the passage before us it appears that he was there imprisoned with him. As he held the same sentiments as Paul, and was united with him in his travels and labours, it was natural that he should be treated in the same manner. He, together with Gaius, had been seized in the tumult at Ephesus, and treated with violence; but he adhered to the apostle in all his troubles, and attended him in all his perils. Nothing further is certainly known of him, though the Greeks say that he was bishop of Assamea in Syria, and was beheaded with Paul at Rome, under Nero." Calmet.

And Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas. John Mark, in relation to whom Paul and Barnabas had formerly disagreed so much as to cause a separation between Barnabas and Paul. The ground of the disagreement was, that Barnabas wished to take him, probably on account of relationship, with them in their travels; Paul was unwilling to take him, because he had, on one occasion, departed from them. Acts 15:37; Acts 15:38; Acts 15:39. They afterward became reconciled, and Paul mentions Mark here with affection. He sent for him when he sent Tychicus to Ephesus, and it seems that he had come to him in obedience to his request, 2Ti 4:11. Mark had probably become more decided, and Paul did not harbour unkind and unforgiving feelings towards any one.

Touching whom ye received commandments. What these directions were, and how they were communicated, whether verbally or by writing, is now unknown. It was, not improbably, on some occasion when Paul was with them. He refers to it here in order that they might know distinctly whom he meant.

If he come unto you, receive him. In Phm 1:24, Mark is mentioned as a "fellow-labourer" of Paul. It would seem probable, therefore, that he was not a prisoner. Paul here intimates that he was about to leave Rome, and he enjoins it on the Colossians to receive him kindly. This injunction may have been necessary, as the Colossians may have been aware of the breach between him and Paul, and may have been disposed to regard him with suspicion. Paul retained no malice, and now commended in the warmest manner, one from whom he was formerly constrained to separate.

(c) "Aristarchus" Acts 27:2 (d) "Marcus" Acts 15:37 (++) "touching" "respecting" Verse 11. And Jesus which is called Justus. The name Jesus was probably that which he bore among the Jews. Justus is a Roman name, and was probably that by which he was known among the Romans. It was not uncommon thus to assume another name when one went among a foreign people. Comp. Acts 13:9.

Who are of the circumcision. Jews, or Jewish Christians. Nothing more is knows of Justus.

These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God. The word "only," here, probably refers to the fact that they only of all the Jews Who were at Rome assisted Paul in his work. Epaphras and Luke were also with him at Rome, and doubtless aided him.

Which have been a comfort unto me. The more so because they were Jews. The other Jews in Rome stood aloof, and doubtless endeavoured to augment the trials of the apostle. Comp. Acts 28:23-29.

(&) "fellow-workers" "Labourers"