Colossians 4:7-18
Paul, a prisoner at Rome, uses the same faithful messenger, Tychicus, to carry his two letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians (Ephesians 6:21-22). Other brethren and men of God participated in his labours and in his exercises of heart. Epaphras, who after having spoken to the Colossians about the Lord (Colossians 1:7), spoke to the Lord about them (v. 12); Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Luke . . . and also Demas, at first closely associated in the work, but mentioned here only by name.
We can imagine the embarrassment of Archippus, in having his name read out in the epistle to the assembly. What was the particular service which he had received from the Lord? It was enough that he knew it. If the Holy Spirit has not specified it, it is so that each believer can put his name in the place of Archippus.
The tragic condition of the Assembly at Laodicea, described in Revelation 3:17, shows that it did not benefit in the least from this letter which had afterwards been passed on to them (v. 16). It remained poor, having accumulated other riches and other treasures than those of Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2-3. It remained naked, not having known what it was to put on the garments of Colossians 3:10; Colossians 3:12; Colossians 3:14 . . . May the Lord help us to give heed to the warnings of His Word! May it dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16)!