Section 2

It is great praise—and greater than all the rest—for Paul to say of Epaphras, “one of you, a servant of Christ.” He also calls him a minister on their behalf, just as he calls himself a minister of the Church when he says, “of which I, Paul, became a minister.” He raises Epaphras to the same dignity. Earlier he calls him a fellow servant, and here a servant. “One of you,” he says, almost as though speaking to a mother and saying, “one born from your own womb.”

Yet praise like this might have produced envy. For that reason Paul commends him not only for these things but also for what he does on their behalf, thereby removing envy both there and here. “Always struggling for you,” he says—not only now while he is with us, as though making a display, nor only when he was with you, as though performing for you. By saying “struggling,” Paul shows his great earnestness. Then, so that he would not seem to flatter the Colossians, he adds that Epaphras “has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.” Likewise, “that you may stand perfect” is not flattery, but the language of a respected teacher. He says both “filled” and “perfect”: he grants them one thing and says that they still lack the other. He did not say merely, “that you may not be shaken,” but “that you may stand.”

The fact that many people greet them also encourages them, since not only their own friends from among them but others too remember them.

“And say to Archippus, ‘See to the ministry that you received in the Lord.’” Paul’s chief purpose is to place them fully under Archippus’s pastoral charge. They will no longer be able to complain when he rebukes them, since they themselves have been given responsibility for delivering this exhortation. It would not ordinarily be appropriate to speak to students about their teacher; but Paul writes this to close the door to such objections. “Say to Archippus,” he says, “‘See to it.’” This expression is used everywhere to awaken fear and vigilance, as when Paul says, “Watch out for the dogs”; “See that no one takes you captive”; and “See that this authority of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” He speaks this way whenever he wants people to be watchful.

“See to the ministry that you received in the Lord, so that you fulfill it.” Paul does not even leave Archippus as though he were master of whether to undertake it, just as Paul says of himself, “If I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.” “So that you fulfill it”—that is, continuing in diligent effort. “Which you received in the Lord”: here again “in” means through the Lord. He gave it to you, Paul means, not we. And he also places the people under Archippus by showing that God Himself entrusted them to his care.

“Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.” With the mention of grace Paul removes their fear. Their teacher may be in chains, but grace sets him free. Indeed, it is itself a work of grace that he has been permitted to be bound. Listen to Luke: the apostles returned “from the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for His name.” To suffer dishonor and to be bound are truly things for which one may be “counted worthy.” If someone who loves another person considers it a gain to suffer something for that person’s sake, how much more is this true when one suffers for Christ?

Let us therefore not become bitter over tribulations endured for Christ. Let us remember Paul’s chains, and let that remembrance urge us forward. Are you encouraging someone to give to the poor for Christ’s sake? Remind that person of Paul’s chains, and lament both your own condition and theirs if Paul surrendered even his body to chains for Christ while you will not share even your food. Have you become proud of your achievements? Remember Paul’s chains and that you have suffered nothing like this, and you will cease to be proud. Have you desired what belongs to your neighbor? Remember Paul’s chains, and you will see how unreasonable it is that he should have been in danger while you pursue luxury.

Do you desire indulgence? Bring Paul’s prison to mind. You are his disciple and fellow soldier. What sense does it make for your fellow soldier to be in chains while you live in luxury? Have you fallen into affliction and thought yourself abandoned? Listen to the lesson of Paul’s chains, and you will see that affliction is no proof of abandonment.

Do you want to wear silk clothing? Remember Paul’s chains, and such garments will seem to you more dishonorable than filthy rags. Do you want to cover yourself with gold? Bring Paul’s chains to mind, and gold will seem no better to you than an old piece of rope. Do you want to arrange your hair and appear beautiful? Think of Paul’s rough appearance in prison. You will begin to long for that beauty instead, regard the other as extreme ugliness, and groan deeply with desire for chains like his.

Do you want to cover yourself with cosmetics, eye-paint, and things of that sort? Think of his tears. For three years, night and day, he did not cease weeping. Adorn your cheek with this ornament; these tears make it radiant. I am not telling you to weep for others—though I wish you could do even that, for it is a higher thing—but I urge you to weep for your own sins.

Did you order a servant to be bound because you became angry and enraged? Remember Paul’s chains, and at once your anger will stop. Remember that we belong among those who are bound, not among those who bind; among those whose hearts are crushed, not among those who crush others. Have you given yourself over to loud, uncontrolled laughter? Think of Paul’s lamentations, and you will groan. Those tears will make you far more radiant. Have you seen people feasting and dancing? Remember his tears. What spring ever poured out streams so abundant as the tears from those eyes?

“Remember my tears,” Paul says elsewhere, just as here he says, “Remember my chains.” He appropriately said those words about tears when he summoned the Ephesian elders to Miletus, because he was speaking there to teachers. He therefore required those teachers also to gather and care for others; here he asks these believers simply to be ready to face danger.