Col. 4:13. I bear witness of him, that he has great zeal and care for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
"Zeal" and "great" – both words are placed together for emphasis. He praises Epaphras also to the Laodiceans and Hierapolitans, for they, having no doubt read the epistle, could hear about him.
Col. 4:14. Luke, the beloved physician, greets you,
Luke is the evangelist, for whom it is no small praise to be beloved by Paul. He mentions him after Epaphras — not because he wished to demean him, but because he desired to exalt Epaphras before his fellow citizens. Undoubtedly, there were also others who bore this name.
Col. 4:14. and Demas.
Demas, as can be seen, had not yet abandoned the teacher.
Col. 4:15. Greet the brethren in Laodicea,
Look how he brings them closer together, how he binds them to one another.
Col. 4:15. And Nymphas, and the church in his house.
This was a famous man, whose entire household were believers, which is why his house was called a church. Therefore Paul also shows his affection toward him, greeting him separately. He does this also in order to urge others to the same zeal, so that others might imitate Nymphas, if they wish to be honored in the same way.
Col. 4:16. When this epistle is read among you, arrange for it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and the one from Laodicea, read that one also yourselves.
It seems to me that something was written here that the Laodiceans also needed to hear; and they, in turn, needed to learn what was written in that epistle. There is much more benefit when, from a rebuke directed against others, they learn of their own shortcomings. What then was this epistle from Laodicea? The First Epistle to Timothy: it was written from Laodicea. Some, however, say that it was an epistle that the Laodiceans were sending to Paul. But I do not know what they could have borrowed from it for their own correction.
Col. 4:17. Say to Archippus:
Why does he not write to him? It is likely that he did not need a lengthy epistle; for him, one brief reminder was sufficient.
Col. 4:17. "See that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord."
This is everywhere the voice of one who warns, as for example: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy" (Col. 2:8). Or again: "Be careful that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block" (1 Cor. 8:9). So also here: see to it that you fulfill, as you ought, the ministry which you have received "in the Lord," that is, through the Lord; for He gave it to you, not I. And what is this ministry? To watch over the Colossians and care for them. The apostle makes two exhortations with one phrase — "in the Lord": he makes him more diligent in carrying out his ministry as the Lord's work, and he inclines them to submit to him more willingly, showing that they have been given into his hands by God. Of course, the apostle writes to them for this reason — "Say to Archippus" — so that when he begins to rebuke them, they would not be able to accuse him as a man filling them with bitterness, knowing that such a commandment was given to him by Paul, and that their own lips conveyed to Archippus what Paul had previously declared to him. And so, in order to shut their mouths. Paul did this very wisely, since in any case it is improper for disciples to argue about the affairs of their teacher.
Col. 4:18. The salutation by my own hand, Paul's. Remember my bonds.
Remember me, who am in bonds and condemned. And the very best consolation for them is to remember Paul the prisoner in every affliction.
Col. 4:18. Grace be with you all. Amen.
When grace is present in you, whether you have afflictions or endure bonds, nothing of the sort will overcome you, since even being bound is a matter of grace. For Luke says: they returned from the prison, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Christ (cf. Acts 5:41). Do you see that to be dishonored means to be counted worthy? And indeed, this is a great dignity. Therefore, may we also, though unworthy, be counted worthy of divine grace in afflictions, so that, with it strengthening our weakness, these afflictions may serve us for our benefit, dispelling the darkness of our sins, to the glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.