secondly, he enjoins a walk in wisdom, redeeming the time, speaking with grace, so that

the words spoken shall not be contradicted by the life lived, and that they may know how

to answer every man "as they ought" (Col. 4: 2-6). This exhortation covers much the

same ground as Eph. 6:, with which it should be read.

The remaining verses of the epistle speak for themselves, yet the subject of the friends

and fellow-servants of the devoted apostle merits a separate study itself. Look at the

material: Tychicus, a beloved brother, a faithful minister and a fellow-servant in the

Lord. Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, and Aristarchus his fellow-prisoner.

Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, who is to be received. Jesus, which is called Justus.

Only these two latter were of the circumcision: they were Paul's fellow-workers unto the

kingdom of God, and had been a comfort to him. When he speaks here of "the kingdom

of God" the apostle does not intend anything different from the mystery. These two

fellow-workers of the circumcision were engaged with Paul in the work of the one

ministry left to him. It should be noted that the term "the kingdom of God" was used

after Israel were set aside (Acts 28: 31), as it was before (Acts 28: 23). The

designation "The kingdom of Christ and of God" occurs in Eph. 5: 5, and the statement

that the saints have been translated into the "kingdom of the Son of His love" is made in

Col. 1: 13. His appearing and "His kingdom" are in view in II Tim. 4: 1, as also "His

heavenly kingdom" in II Tim. 4: 18. "His kingdom ruleth over all", and every calling

and every sphere of blessing, whether of Israel, Body, or Bride, must come within the

all-embracive sovereignty of God.

Continuing, the apostle next mentions Epaphras, a Colossian believer, a servant of

Christ; one whose prayers coincide with Paul's ministry to the saints (Col. 4: 12 and

1: 28), and whose zeal is commended by the apostle. Finally, "Luke, the beloved

physician, and Demas". What a picture of faithful friendship is presented by the manner

of Paul's reference to the former of these two: "Luke the beloved physician", he who

was faithful to the end, for the apostle wrote in view martyrdom, "only Luke is with me"

(II Tim. 4: 11).

But what of Demas? He is included among those who join with the apostle in sending

greetings, but his name stand alone: "and Demas." There is no word of commendation,

no reference to a faithful ministry, or to his attachment to the apostle, or love to the Lord.

We are certain that the apostle would not thus have isolated Demas had he found it

possible to say anything in his favour, and this is confirmed by the mention made of him

in II Tim. 4: (where Luke's fidelity stands out so brightly), and where we realize that

the apostle's fears are verified:  "Demas hath forsaken me."  When writing to the

Colossians the apostle could find nothing good to say of him, but he refrained from

saying anything evil.

Proceeding, the apostle salutes Nymphas, whose house entertained the church in his

day. What an honour! The reading of this epistle and that from the Laodicean Church is

then enjoined; Archippus is encouraged to "fill full" his ministry, in which connection

may be noted the last of five occurrences in Colossians. These five occurrences so carry

forward the teaching of the epistle that we will set them out here.