Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Oct 3, 2024 - Please Read Each Other's Mail”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsPlease Read Each Other’s Mail
Reading: Colossians 4:10-18
Paul concludes this letter, written from Roman custody of some sort (Col 4:3), with a surprising number of greetings from brothers. Tychicus will inform the church of the specifics of Paul’s condition in far more detail than a letter (Col 4:7). “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts”(Col 4:8). Also accompanying the delivery of the letter is Onesimus (Col 4:9), likely the same slave who is the subject of the letter to Philemon. There are many connections between Colossians and Philemon and it may be that Onesimus helped deliver both letters.
Aristarchus appears to be another Christian who has run afoul of the authorities (Col 4:10). John Mark, whom Paul refused to take on his second journey (Acts 15:38), is now present with Paul and spoken of favorably. Their relationship has mended. Epaphras, probably the man who helped begin the church in Colosse (Col 1:7), is with Paul and continues to “(struggle) on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God”(Col 4:12). NT students will recognize some other names here—Luke, Demas, and Archippus—who show themselves to be companions of Paul and concerned about the Colossians. “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea”(Col 4:16). Paul encourages circulation of these letters so that both groups can benefit from the specific instructions given to each group.
Paul encourages the churches to read each other’s mail. This is not so that they can gossip about one another or judge each other, nor is it because the specific problems present in one church are present in all. The assumption is that everyone can read the particular apostolic teaching to one group—for example, the Colossians’ need to cling to Jesus and not be deceived through philosophy or asceticism—and apply the principle to their own context. This is still our task. There is benefit in reading others’ mail, provided that we are humble enough to see our own weaknesses and courageous enough to apply the teaching to ourselves.
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One Thing to Think About: What skills might I need before I can benefit from reading others’ mail?
One Thing to Pray For: The humility to perceive how Bible teaching applies to me
