courage and closing

Good morning friends,
Today we come to the end of Colossians. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do with these closings with all their names and housekeeping business. At the same time they give an interesting view of what the church was like at that time. The picture that emerges is a large, but fairly intimate network of Christians. Pretty much wherever Paul goes or writes, he knows people. In this particular closing there are a couple of things that play off yesterday's reading nicely. For one thing, we see Paul's greeting to Nympha, a woman who hosted a church in her house. Even though Paul reinforced the traditional teachings about family life and a woman's place in it, he also worked in ministry with many women who held leadership roles in the church. Some scholars suggest that one reason Paul was so careful about maintaining the traditional teachings was that the Christian church was constantly pushing the boundaries of women's roles and Paul wanted to avoid too much outside attention to that fact.

Another name that is especially interesting is Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who ran away and ended up with Paul, where he came to Christ. The whole letter of Philemon is written to Onesimus's owner asking him to forgive Onesimus and asking him to release his claim on him. So again, while Paul tells slaves to obey their masters, he also is far from seeing slavery as a total claim on the slave. If you're curious, Philemon is a fascinating piece of persuasion and a really short read. One part of Paul's letters that can be confusing is that here and in several other letters he says something about writing the greeting with his own hand. It was common in Paul's day to have a scribe do the physical writing of the letter, and that's probably what Paul did. He often added a personal touch by writing part of the closing himself, though the end of Galatians makes it sound like his handwriting wasn't very good. A final part of this closing that makes me stop short is that Paul reminds his readers that he is writing from prison. We might question the way he saw the world, but we can't doubt his courage and commitment. He clearly put his life on the line and ministered in all kinds of situations most of us would be afraid to go near. I pray God help us follow Paul's example of courage, faith and thought as we seek to be ambassadors of Jesus today.

God bless,
Sam


Colossians 4:7-18
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts; 9he is coming with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. 10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. 11And Jesus who is called Justus greets you. These are the only ones of the circumcision among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. 13For I testify for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, “See that you complete the task that you have received in the Lord.” 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.