Paul is not the only one, there are others that in Colossians 4:11 “are fellow workers for the kingdom of God”. Paul names gentiles and Jews that worked with him, but also names those in the local church who are faithful. Jesus spoke a parable saying in Matthew 33:14 “For many are called but few are chosen” and Jesus also said in Matthew 9:37–38 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest.” and we are admonished to, in Colossians 1:12 “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light”. Yet, there is still the doing of this Christian walk, there is still the living of our life as “faithful servant” that is in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.
From the Lord You Will Receive the Reward
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Speak the Mystery of Christ
Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God
Colossians 4:7–18
Paul names those that are also workers in God’s kingdom. We sometimes think it was Paul and the apostles that did all of the work of spreading the gospel, and they certainly were witnesses as it says in
Acts 10:41–42 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen beforehand by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and of the dead.
Here though, Paul uses these phrases to describe the Gentile believers working with him in Colossians 4:7-9 “my dear brother”, “faithful servant”, “fellow slave”.
Then in Colossians 10-11 he speaks of Jewish believers and says in
Colossians 4:11 “… These are the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me.”
Then he mentions those in their own congregations, encouraging those that were known among them and asks them to read and share their letters with other area churches in
Colossians 4:16 And whenever this letter is read among you, see to it that it is read also among the Laodicean church, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
In their day, this was the way they had to share testimonies of what God was also doing in other places and there were many “fellow workers for the kingdom of God”.
An Example to All Those Who Believe
Approved by God to be Entrusted with the Gospel
1 Thessalonians 2:1–12
The people in the church at Colossae had come to know the great opposition Paul had faced in Philippi where “Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned in Philippi for advocating customs unlawful for Roman citizens (Acts 16:21). See Acts 16:19–391 but that had not hindered Paul in coming to them. As he says in Colossians 2:2 “ we had the courage in our God to speak to you the gospel of God”. And this Paul did because in
1 Thessalonians 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, thus we speak, not as pleasing people but God, who examines our hearts.
The King James translates “approved” as allowed—Greek, “We have been approved on trial,” “deemed fit.” This word corresponds to “God which trieth our hearts” below. This approval as to sincerity depends solely on the grace and mercy of God (Ac 9:15; 1 Co 7:25; 2 Co 3:5; 1 Ti 1:11, 12).2
Paul also reminds them of these first encounters where he proved his faithfulness through his labor and demonstration of love among them as he says in
1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe.
You Received the Word From as the Word of God
We Were Eager With Great Desire to See Your Face
1 Thessalonians 2:17–20
There is great joy in seeing people grow and prosper in Christ as Paul describes in
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Yet, in this world, we are sometimes separated from those we love and long to be with. This separation is not from the Lord, but is another tactic of our enemy who, as Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 “hindered us”. If there is anything holding us back from love, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost, it isn’t God but the thief, our enemy as it says in
John 10:10–11 The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Study Verses
- Colossians 4:7–18 Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 Approved by God to be Entrusted with the Gospel
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 We Were Eager With Great Desire to See Your Face
Today’s Reading
- Colossians 3:18-25
- Colossians 4:1-18
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20
References
- 1. Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Th 2:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
- 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 386). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.