The Inconspicuous and the Embattled

Colossians 4:7-18

We’ve come to the last message of Colossians. We’ve seen that as Christians mature, they will grow in fervency for the church and love for others. Tychicus and Epaphras - were instrumental to the growth of the church in Colossae. Then we saw those who were rehabilitated saints. Onesimus and Mark - they were once useless, scared, they deserted their posts; but they eventually went back. No matter what we are, Christ changes us. He takes bad vines and he makes us bear fruit. He changes us.

We continue our examination of the companions of Paul. Who else does he mention and what can we learn from them? Firstly, inconspicuous men are noticed and valued by God, and secondly the embattled men are in need of encouragement and warning.

Firstly, the inconspicuous men are noticed and valued by God. These men, in one sense, weren’t unnoticed - after all, they were conspicuous to Paul. But they’re inconspicuous because not much is mentioned about them. We’re not sure what they did. The Bible says a lot about Peter, Paul, and Timothy; but not these men. It doesn’t mean that they weren’t important. But they served in obscurity. They endured hardship but didn’t receive the recognition that others got.

Who were they? Firstly, Paul mentions Aristarchus - an old faithful man. Verse 10 says, “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you.” Who was he? Verse 11 tells us that along with Marcus and Justus, he was of the circumcision - a Jew. But Artistarchus was not a Jewish name - but a Greek name. And this was common practice. Saul was Paul. Simon or Cephas was Peter. That’s why in verse 11, Jesus (not Christ) but another Jesus or Joshua, a Hebrew name, was also known as Justus.

Acts 20:4 says that Aristarchus was from Thessalonica. But he accompanied Paul in his journeys. He was in Ephesus for 2 years. And in Acts 19, when the idol makers rioted because many were converting into Christianity, Aristarchus was seized by the mob and dragged into the arena. When Paul became a prisoner, Aristarchus accompanied him. This means Aristarchus was there with Paul during the shipwreck in Malta before they finally came to Rome.

Paul called him a fellow prisoner. Now legally, he wasn’t charged, so was free; but he chose to stay under house arrest. Imprisoned Roman citizens could keep servants in prison. So likely, Aristarchus cared for Paul in prison. He was not prominent. He did not preach but he served Paul. And that is great prominence in God’s kingdom - to care for and serve one another, to put a loin cloth around your waist to wash one another’s feet. This was Aristarchus. Isn’t it interesting? John Mark abandoned the ministry. Aristarchus did not. John Mark wrote a gospel. Aristarchus did not. Some may find that unfair - like the prodigal son’s brother. If you find it unfair, the world is in you. We know that God rewards in his way. What we do in secret, God rewards openly. Mark 6:4 says - “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

The next inconspicuous person was Justus. He was new blood. Justus - the name was Latin. It means just and righteous. The name Jesus or Joshua, his Jewish name meant savior. That’s an incredibly tough name to live up to. He, along with Aristarchus and Marcus accompanied Paul. Verse 11 says of these few, “who are of the circumcision, these only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”

Together with Aristarchus and Marcus, he was Paul’s fellow-worker. And there is a twinge of sadness, looking into Paul’s words. It tells us that most of Paul’s companions were Gentiles. While there’s nothing wrong with that, what it means is that most of the Jews had rejected Paul. By this time, the gospel was progressively rejected by the Jews. Only Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus were of the circumcision. But while Aristarchus and Marcus were long associated with Paul, Justus was the new kid on the block. And that’s reason to rejoice.

He wasn’t mentioned anywhere else until here. No other record of him exists in Jerusalem, or in Paul’s missionary journeys. He wasn’t in Paul’s entourage before. So he’s relatively new. We don’t know the situation; but to minister with Paul when many Jews wouldn’t; choosing to be in Rome, in prison, in hardship, facing suspicion and the reproach of his fellow Jews - being unnoticed and unknown - no wonder Paul said he was a comfort! The Greek word for “comfort” here is a very unique word. A wonderful word. It comes from 2 words that mean beside and public debate. Justus publicly with Paul when few would.

It’s one thing to be like Athanasius in the early church - he stood his ground alone for a long time - if the world is against me, then I am against the world! Athanasius contra mundum. Or like Martin Luther - unless I am convinced by the Word of God, I shall not recant! But not many people are like them. Paul may have been like those men - stand alone kind - but what a comfort to him, that others came along side him in this public debate. They supported him, strengthened him, and stood ground with him. It’s tough to fight against 10 men by yourself. While 3 others with you is still hard, the odds are still better than 10 to 1! Justus had the heart of a lion - a brave man who joined the fight when so few would. And that comforted Paul. You know, our Lord bore it alone. Peter, James, and John would not stay up and watch. But he bore it alone so we would not need to. Paul had Justus. We have one another.

Thirdly, there’s Luke. He provided constant care. Now, why was he inconspicuous? He wrote Luke and Acts. He was Paul’s attending physician. A doctor! Here’s where culture and history inform. Doctors in the ancient world weren’t highly regarded. It was considered a low social position, only fit for slaves, former slaves and non-Roman citizens. So many doctors were Greek - like Luke and Hippocrates. Some were respected, but most were quacks, liars, and cheats. Remember the woman with the issue of blood? She suffered under the hands of doctors and lost all her money to them. There was no accreditation, no formal education. They could open clinic anywhere. So for most people, life was better if they didn’t need to see a doctor. If they were sick, they could die; if they saw a doctor, it was like Russian roulette. Not every doctor was Gregory House; many were Dr Frankenstein. This is perhaps why Paul called Luke a beloved physician - not to express love but to protect him.

But he served Paul with his skill. He didn’t preach; but treated Paul. And he was effective. In Paul’s first missionary journey, he was frequently sick. But after Luke joined in the second missionary journey, we don’t hear about Paul’s sickness. Luke kept him healthy. That was his work. And as a physician, he observed from the sidelines. As an inconspicuous person, he noticed details. Maybe he took notes. But we know they were legible, because they were copied. Luke wrote 52 chapters in the New Testament - the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

How wonderful it is to be serving God in positions that are not prominent - in the eyes of the world. Because they are prominent in the eyes of God. The servant girl of Naaman’s wife did her part in gospel preaching, the widow with 2 mites was used as an example, the Samaritan leper that returned demonstrated thankfulness, the widow of Zarephath fed God’s prophet, Jael the old woman with a strong arm - unnoticed by Sisera - turned the tide in war. These who were inconspicuous are conspicuous to God. The foot shall not say that since it is the foot and not the hand, it won’t do anything; or the ear that since it’s not the eye, it won’t do anything. All parts are important. There’s a story told of Ronald Reagan that illustrates the honor that comes on those who are unsuspecting.

Ronald Reagan, was the governor of California and he made a speech in Mexico City. He recounted - “After I finished speaking, I sat down to unenthusiastic applause; I was a little embarrassed. The next speaker spoke in Spanish. I didn’t understand him. But he was being applauded every paragraph. To hide my embarrassment, I clapped for him, louder and longer than everyone else. It was the ambassador who cautioned me and revealed to me, “I wouldn’t do that. He’s interpreting your speech.”” Reagan thought he was small, but he wasn’t. That’s my point. Everyone who serves inconspicuously is conspicuous to God.

Secondly, we look at embattled men. Spiritually mature saints are not immune from trouble and weakness. Spiritually mature people can stumble. They will, because they are still human. We see one. Archippus. Verse 17 says, “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Who was he? And why does Paul mention him? He needed help. He was probably an officer in Colossae or Laodicea in need of encouragement. He was to take heed or to see to it that he fulfill the ministry that God gave him.

Why? Maybe he was losing heart or zeal. If he was from Laodicea, he may have been lukewarm. Or maybe the church was lukewarm and he was discouraged, or he was doing so much.. Or he wasn’t appreciated. Or he faced an impossible situation. Maybe like Epaphras, he had legalists and Gnostics in church. Maybe it was persecution. Maybe his prayers were not answered. Whatever it was, he was to fulfill the ministry and not give up. He needed encouragement from Paul. He also just heard the whole list of faithful people. Archippus, press on like Tychicus and Epaphras - they were reliable. Archippus, Onesimus and Marcus experienced failure, but they were rehabilitated. Who cares if you’re unnoticed - look at Aristarchus, Justus, and Luke - Christ notices them. Fulfill the work of the ministry. Press on in godliness. Dearly beloved, there are some of you - in service or in your Christian walk - you are tempted to give up - press on. Why? If you don’t press on, you will give up.

And that’s where we see, secondly, Demas. Why is he mentioned here? It’s a warning. Some people reach a stage where they are beyond hope. If only Demas would have heard these exhortations. Demas is not described much - just in passing.. Verse 14 - “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” There’s no exhortation, no description. Philemon 24 says he was a fellow laborer. Meaning, he was also with Paul in prison. He was with Paul for a good 3 years in prison. But 2 Timothy 4:10 says something sad -“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.”

If Demas forsook Paul in 2 Timothy, he was with Paul for nearly 7-8 years. 3 during the first imprisonment, 4-5 more in missionary work and the second imprisonment. He endured until he didn’t. If he left like Marcus, we may understand. I did a bit more reading this week. Paul was sick during his first missionary journey. He may have caught malaria in Pamphylia - which was marshland, this is why he went to Galatia, in the highlands. Now, this could’ve be why Marcus left after Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem. Sickness? But he came back. Demas, on the other hand, left and returned to the world. The phrase in 2 Timothy 4:10 is very sad - “having loved this present world.” What does this mean? Likely, he denied Christ. Why? 1 John 2:15 - “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Now, maybe Demas went through great persecution under Nero - just like Paul. But he denied Christ. He went back into the world. He loved the world more than Jesus. He loved his life more than death, more than eternal life. Like Esau, he loved that porridge more than the first born inheritance. The only way to overcome the world is to love Christ above all else. Revelation 12:11 speaks of the saints that endured Satan - “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Dearly beloved, love Christ above all else. Don’t love Christ a bit and justify your love for the world. What may be before some of you today, is the choice - the Lord Jesus has saved you from sin - follow him, or return to the world. What must you give him up for? The love of a person you shouldn’t be with? A sin that will only enslave you because it doesn’t satisfy? A job that will leave you high and dry in a few years’ time? An anger that may be satisfied leaving a trail of broken relationships? Demas loved his own life more than Christ.

Some say Demas only deserted the work, not the faith. This is naive. During the reign of Nero, many abandoned Christ. Just read Hebrews. But isn’t it sad that so many people - perhaps many of us - are willing to abandon Christ for far less?

The best of us will fail - Onesimus, Mark, even Peter - they failed Christ - but they were restored. But some do deny Christ completely - even though they know the gospel. Why? Because they love their lives more than Christ. The wonder is not that Demas strayed - but that the rest were preserved from doing so.

Ending on Demas is not a nice way to end Colossians. But it’s instructive. We need Christ above all else. He is enough. He is more than enough. If our faith, our lives are founded upon him alone; if we do the work of putting on and putting off; we shall inherited eternal life; and if we see these fruits of faith and gospel in our lives - it is a reminder that we are growing in him.

May the Lord help us.