COLOSSIANS 4:10-11
10My 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.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
This passage highlights three Jews that are supporting Paul in his ministry. The NIV translates it as “Jews,” but the term used in the NASB refers simply to people from “the circumcision. In Galatians we read that “neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” (Galatians 6:15).
We are equal under the eyes of God, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t differences between Jews, Greeks, slaves, free, and male and female.
Perhaps Paul was especially encouraged by the presence of other Jews, similarly to an American in a foreign country meeting up with another American. But the bonds between Paul and these friends go deeper than that. Paul refers to these Jews as “fellow workers for the kingdom of God.” They are Jews who follow Christ.
Aristarchus may be the same Aristarchus mentioned in the book of Acts 27:2 who traveled with Paul and was a Macedonian from Thessalonica. (One thing I wonder though is if this could be a different Aristarchus because the Aristarchus referred to in the Colossians passage is Jewish. Perhaps he could be both Jewish and Macedonian?)
Paul refers to Aristarchus by a title different from the others. He calls Aristarchus a fellow prisoner. Perhaps Aristarchus had served time in jail for his faith.
Jesus, who is called Justus, is not found elsewhere in the New Testament.
We are already acquainted with Mark from the book of Acts. Barnabas wanted to bring Mark on a missionary journey even after Mark had deserted them, but Paul did not want to bring Mark. This caused a split between Barnabas and Paul with Barnabas taking Mark and Paul taking Silas.
Like we saw yesterday in the life of Onesimus, we see change in the life of Mark. Paul had lost faith in Mark, but Mark later became one of Paul’s helpers, and now we read of Paul asking the Colossians to be welcoming towards Mark. Mark shows how someone matured from being a deserter to being a leader in the church. It’s encouraging that God can take anyone and use them in great ways.
