"Marcus", undoubtedly John Mark, whose association with Paul in his missionary

efforts led to such serious consequences. He was a cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4: 10) and

cause of the contention between him and Paul (Acts 15: 36-40). His bad start however

was more than amended for later, and he is seen again here with Paul, and is later highly

commended by the Apostle (II Tim. 4: 11). His connection with Rome is interesting,

especially since his Gospel views the Saviour from the point of view of a servant (a

viewpoint well understood by the Romans with their system of slavery) and accords with

an early tradition that it was written to the Romans.

"Aristarchus" has three mentions in Acts (19: 29; 20: 4; 27: 2).  He was a

"Macedonian of Thessalonica" and fellow traveler with Paul.  On one occasion he

appears to have narrowly escaped death n the theatre at Ephesus.

"Demas", mentioned three times altogether (Col. 4: 14; II Tim. 4: 10; Philem. 24),

a "fellow labourer" at the time of Paul's first imprisonment, was possibly also a

Thessalonian. He forsook the Apostle at his hour of greatest need "having loved the

present age".

"Lucas"--"Luke, the beloved physician", writer of the Gospel bearing his name and

the Acts, and in contrast to Demas, remaining faithful to the Apostle right up to the end

(II Tim. 4: 11). As a doctor his association with Paul must have been of great comfort to

him and may be the reason for this being described as "the beloved (one)" (Col. 4: 14).

Paul's motive in referring to him as a physician may not be to distinguish him from

others of the same name, but rather as a reminder of his own obligations to him. Was he

behind the exhortation of I Tim. 5: 23?

Did he have any part in the recovery of Epaphroditus, used by God as the earthly

channel (Phil. 2: 25-28)? The answers must remain a matter of conjecture. It ought to be

noted however that his activities were not confined to medical work--he is called "my

fellow-labourer" (Philem. 24) and as such undoubtedly had a share in the gospel.

The usual salutation (II Thess. 3: 17) finally closes the epistle: