My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Here we have a collection of Paul’s travelers sending their greetings along with Paul recognizing and acknowledging them to the Colossians.

First is Aristarchus, who was a traveling companion of Paul’s. He is mentioned three times in Acts, and based on his name, was likely born into a noble family or ruling class. In the riot in Ephesus, it was Aristarchus, along with Gaius, who was dragged into the theater by the mob in riotous anger. Paul wanted to go to their defense, but the brothers discouraged this and then cooler heads prevailed. This tells us that they were also active in spreading the gospel and encouraging those around them to follow Jesus. Otherwise, why would the mob be upset at them, along with Paul, unless they too were sharing in his work?

This passage calls him a fellow prisoner with Paul (who was under house arrest). This can also be translated as a “prisoner of war”. The war was not a physical one, but a spiritual one. It could be a reference to the fact that he, in supporting Paul, was in effect also under a form of house arrest. Church tradition affirms that Aristarchus was martyred in Rome at the command of Nero. He was beheaded.

Mark is also known as John Mark, and he was the one that Paul and Barnabas fought over. He had apparently deserted his ministry while under Paul. Initially, Barnabas wanted to give him another chance and Paul did not. Later, here and elsewhere we see that Paul was reconciled with Barnabus and he began to work with him again. Paul took the extra step to give instructions about working with Mark to the Colossians. This was likely to counteract his disagreement with him in the past. He told the Colossians to welcome him. Mark is the writer of the third gospel. Justus is also a companion, but not much else is known about him.

Epaphras was a Colossian, and he was a faithful servant of the gospel, working with Paul. He was a model of Christ-like behavior to the Colossians, as he lived and led amongst them. And he was sent to travel with Paul as a representative of the Colossian church, or a missionary. Paul describes him as a faithful minister of the gospel and a fervent prayer. He references him here a couple of times (also in the beginning of Colossians), because I think he was a popular leader and one that the Colossians knew. Here, part of Epaphras’ prayer is repeated: “That you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

So what do I take away from Paul’s mention of these traveling companions here? 1) They are strong spiritual warriors in their own right, though they, like John Mark, were also in process in their faith. 2) They supported Paul in his ministry while under false arrest and Paul invested in them too. They loved each other, and when Paul references them herein, he wants the Colossians to treat them with the respect of a spiritual leader like Paul, like his emissary. 3) These men also labored and prayed and worked for the Colossians, both directly and because of their joint purpose to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

How can I be such a good and faithful friend to be mentioned with those who are critical to the ministries of those I support?

Lord, thank you for Paul’s friends! What a great encouragement and compliment to him. Help me to be such a friend, as well.