Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:9
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known unto you all things which [are done] here.
9. Onesimus ] On his name and story see below, on Phm 1:10, and Introd. to the Ep. to Philemon, ch. 3.
a faithful and beloved brother ] Lit., and better, the, &c. See above on Col 4:7. This rescued slave is raised, in Christ, to a brother’s place beside Tychicus, the Colossians, and Paul himself, and is at once welcomed into the family of God. St Paul implicitly assumes Philemon’s pardon and welcome for Onesimus.
is one of you ] Or, belongs to you, a fellow-Colossian. A beautiful euphemism for Onesimus’ legal connexion with Coloss; and it was, for Christians, as true as it was beautiful.
all things which are done here ] Lit., more generally, all the things here; circumstances and proceedings alike.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
With Onesimus – Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colossae; see the notes at Phm 1:10. Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt toward him the warm attachment of a brother; Phm 1:16. In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A more full account of him will be found in the notes at the Epistle to Philemon.
Who is one of you – That is, either who is from your city, or one of your own people and nation. It is clear from this, that Onesimus was from Phrygia, and probably from the city of Colossae itself. It would seem also that he was of a higher rank than is designated by the word slave now. He was, indeed, a servant doulos – of Philemon, but would the apostle have addressed the Colossians, and said that he was one of them, if he had occupied precisely the condition which is now denoted by the word slave? Would a minister of the gospel now in the Northern States, who should send a letter by a run-away slave to a community of masters at the South, say of him that he was one of them? Would it be kindly received, or produce a good impression, if he did? There is reason, therefore, to think that Onesimus was not a slave in the proper sense, but that he might have been a respectable youth, who had bound himself to service for a term of years; compare Phm 1:18.
They shall make known to you all things which are done here – Relating to Paul himself and the state of the church in Rome. As the Epistle which Paul sent was designed not only for them, but to be a part of the volume of revealed truth, he wrote only those things which would be of permanent interest. Other matters he left for those who carried the Epistle to communicate. It would also serve to give Tychicus and Onesimus more respectability in view of the church at Colossae, if he referred the church to them for information on important points.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Col 4:9
With Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother who is one of you.
I. The person. Onesimus teaches us–
1. To despise no one for his former misdeeds after he has come to his right mind. This Onesimus was once contemptible, useless, and a runaway slave, but after his conversion he was thought worthy by the chiefest apostle of a mission of great honour. They therefore sin grievously who reproach the truly converted for their former evils, than to congratulate them on their new nature. God estimates men not by what they have put off, but by what they have put on (Eze 18:22).
II. His commendation.
1. He is a faithful brother, i.e., not only a Christian, but a genuine one; for many who have assumed the name have denied the thing (Gal 2:4; 2Ti 3:2-4). Hence we may observe–
(1) We should endeavour to answer to our name and profession; for to be called a Christian, faithful, etc., and not be so, is to be loaded with false titles and dishonourable (Rev 3:1).
(2) They are to be loved by all the pious, and to be embraced with both arms who are faithful in their Christian profession and special vocation.
(3) Nothing is more dangerous than those perfidious brethren who feign religion while they despise it (2Co 11:26).
2. He was loved warmly by Paul, who was not accustomed to receive any into intimate friendship except they were worthy, Therefore the apostle wished them to infer that Onesimus deserved to be beloved by them.
(1) It is a sign of a good Christian to be dear to his pastor.
(2) It becomes a prudent minister to embrace the most pious with peculiar affection (Php 4:1).
(3) It ought to be the care of all believers to be beloved by their pastors.
3. He was one of themselves. Although this was not much in his praise, it made him acceptable, for what is our own is wont to be prized more than what is not.
(1) It is proper to treat, then, with peculiar affection those who are of the same blood, country, society, as ourselves.
(2) It is contemptible to neglect our own, and to extol the distant at the expense of the near (Mar 13:57).
III. His mission. To make known what was going on with the apostle and at Rome. Tychicus was also entrusted with the same, but in adding Onesimus he provided two witnesses that the thing might be established. (Bishop Davenant.)
Onesimus
was a native, or certainly an inhabitant, of Colossi, since Paul refers to him as one of you. This confirms the presumption which his name affords that he was a Gentile. Slaves were numerous in Phrygia, and the very name Phrygian was almost synonymous with that of slave. Hence it happened that in writing to the Colossians (Col 3:22-25; Col 4:1)
Paul had to instruct them concerning the duties of servants and masters towards each other. Onesimus was one of this unfortunate class of persons, who escaped from his master and fled to Rome, where in the midst of its vast population he could hope to be concealed, and to baffle the efforts which were so often made in such cases for retaking the fugitive. Whether he had any other motive for the flight than the natural love of liberty we have not the means of deciding. It has been generally supposed that he had committed some offence, as theft or embezzlement, and feared the punishment of his guilt (Phm 1:18). Though it may be doubted whether Onesimus heard the gospel for the first time in Rome, it is beyond question that he was led to embrace the gospel there through the apostles instrumentality (Phm 1:10). As there were believers in Phrygia when the apostle passed through the region on his third missionary journey (Act 18:23), and as Onesimus belonged to a Christian household (Phm 1:2), it is not improbable that he knew something of Christian doctrine before he went to Rome. How long a time elapsed between his escape and his conversion we cannot decide. After the latter event, however, the most happy and friendly relations sprang up between the teacher and the disciple. The situation of the apostle must have made him keenly alive to the sympathies of Christian friendship, and dependent upon others for various services. Onesimus appears to have supplied this want in an eminent degree. He won entirely the apostles heart, and made himself so useful that Paul wished to keep him, and yielded him up only in obedience to that sensitive regard for the feelings and rights of others of which his conduct on this occasion was a conspicuous example. The traditional notices of Onesimus are not of great value. Some of the later fathers assert that Onesimus was set free and became Bishop of Beroea, and that he made his way to Rome again and died a martyr under Nero. (H. B. Hackett, D. D.)
The excellence of faithfulness
A year ago last summer I visited Yellowstone Park. I had read a great deal of the geysers, and seen pictures of them, but now it was my privilege to see them rise grandly and proudly in dizzy heights, then fall in graceful spray. They had great names given them. Some were called The Wonderful, The Monarch, others The Lion and The Lioness, but you never can depend on their regularity of action. A traveller may visit them and wait around four or five days without witnessing a performance, getting only labour for his pains, though you cannot tell when they will play. When they do they are very beautiful. But there is one geyser, named the Old Faithful, that is not so large, and doesnt make such a grand display, but you can always depend on it. It plays at certain times, and never fails. If you are there at 1 oclock, or five minutes before, you will see the water shoot up at a height of 60 or 70 feet. At 1:55 it will play again, not rising at such height as the other geysers, nor making such a roaring noise, but you can depend on it. It always comes to time, and never fails in a performance. I at once respected that geyser. It was faithful in its performance and sure. That is the key to a successful life. (A. Little.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. With Onesimus – who is one of you.] Onesimus was a native of some part of Phrygia, if not of Colosse itself; and being lately converted to the Christian faith by the instrumentality of the apostle, he would be able, on this account, to give them satisfactory information concerning the apostle’s state, which would be doubly acceptable to them as he was their countryman. See the Epistle to Philemon.
All things which are done here.] FG, the Vulgate, Itala, Jerome, and Bede, add here , what is done, which we have supplied in Italics in our translation. These brethren could give an account of the transactions at Rome, relative to the apostle and Christianity, which it might not be prudent for him to commit to writing. See Clarke on Col 4:7. The reign of Nero was not only cruel, but suspicious, jealous, and dangerous.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
With Onesimus, whom he adjoins to Tychicus. Some, because of his following commendation, think him to be another person different from the fugitive servant of Philemon; but the most, comparing the description here with the circumstances in the Epistle to Philemon, Col 4:10,16, &c., conclude him to be the very same, taking Philemon for a Colossian.
A faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you; there, as here, being expressly called a beloved brother, yea, and, which may answer to faithful, Pauls spiritual son, who (whatever he had been) would be profitable and a benefit to Philemon, whom Paul would have to receive him as his own bowels. And that which might commend him to the Colossians was, that he was one of that city, or the same birth with themselves.
They shall make known unto you all things which are done here; these two persons of credit (upon the apostles testimony) in their different circumstances, might, as joint witnesses, give them a full and certain account how things went with the church, and particularly with Paul, now a prisoner at Rome.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. Onesimusthe slavementioned in the Epistle to Philemon (Phm 1:10;Phm 1:16), “a brotherbeloved.”
a faithful . . .brotherrather, “the faithful brother,” he beingknown to the Colossians as the slave of Philemon, their fellowtownsman and fellow Christian.
one of youbelonging toyour city.
They shall make known untoyou all thingsGreek, “all the things here.”This substantial repetition of “all my state shall Tychicusdeclare unto you,” strongly favors the reading of EnglishVersion in Col 4:8, “thathe might (may) know your state,” as it is unlikely thesame thing should be stated thrice.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
With Onesimus,…. Who had been Philemon’s servant, ran away from him, and was met with and converted by the Apostle Paul, of whom he says many things in his epistle to his master. According to the Apostolic Constitutions, he was afterwards bishop of Beyrhoea; and some say he suffered martyrdom under Domitian; a servant of this name is mentioned by Suetonius i, Ignatius k speaks of one Onesimus as bishop of Ephesus, but not the same with this,
a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you; either one of their ministers, as Epaphras was, Col 3:12 or one of their city, who was originally a native of that place; and which the apostle mentions, the more to recommend him; though this is the least part of his commendation; he calls him a “brother”, being both a converted man, and in the ministry; and being faithful in his work to Christ, and greatly beloved, by the saints; and particularly highly in the esteem and affections of the apostle:
they shall make known unto you all things which are done here; at Rome, either to him in prison, or in the church; and being two of them, were a proper number to bear a testimony, and which ought to be received.
i ln Vit. Galbae, c. 13. k Ep. ad Ephes. p. 17. & ad Antioch. ascript. p. 89.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Together with Onesimus ( ). Co-bearer of the letter with Tychicus and praised on a par with him, runaway slave though he is.
Who is one of you ( ). Said not as a reproach to Colossae for having such a man, but as a privilege to the church in Colossae to give a proper welcome to this returning converted slave and to treat him as a brother as Paul argues to Philemon.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Onesimus. See on Phl 1:10.
The faithful and beloved brother. Whom the Colossians had known only as the worthless, runaway slave. See Phl 1:11, 16.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother,” (sun onesimo to pisto kai agapeto adelpho) This is the second of seven (7) brethren from Rome listed successively who sent or carried introductions and greetings to the Church at Colosse and other church brethren in Asia Minor. Tychicus and Onesimus were sent by Paul, as friends to greet the Church at Colosse, Phm 1:10. He was the converted run away slave of Philemon.
2) “Who is one of you” (hos estin eks humon) “Who is of you,” belongs to your city, where Philemon lived and in whose home or house a Church was meeting. Phm 1:1-2.
3) “They shall make known unto you (humin gnorisousin) ‘They will make known to you, give you current information, bring you up to date on my (Paul’s state) of health and faith and that of his encounter with the Roman law.
4) “All things which are done here” (panta ta hode) “All the things (or matters) here;” things that had happened and were happening to their church in Rome, Col 4:7, and other companion missionaries and helpers to Paul.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
He adds, Onesimus, that the embassy may have the more weight. It is, however, uncertain who this Onesimus was. For it can scarcely be believed that this is the slave of Philemon, inasmuch as the name of a thief and a fugitive would have been liable to reproach. (476) He distinguishes both of them by honorable titles, that they may do the more good, and especially Tychicus, who was to exercise the office of an instructor.
(476) Paley, in his Horae Paulinae, finds the statement here made respecting Onesimus, “who is one of you,” one of the many undesigned coincidences which he adduces in that admirable treatise, in evidence of the credibility of the New Testament. The train of his reasoning in this instance may be briefly stated thus — that while it appears from the Epistle to Philemon, that Onesimus was the servant or slave of Philemon, it is not stated in that Epistle to what city Philemon belonged; but that it appears from the Epistle, (Phl 1:1,) that he was of the same place, whatever that place was, with an eminent Christian, named Archippus, whom we find saluted by name amongst the Colossian Christians; while the expression made use of by Paul here respecting Onesimus, “who is one of you,” clearly marks him out as being of the same city, viz., Colosse. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Onesimus.See Phm. 1:10-17. The emphatic reference to him as being faithful and beloved like Tychicus, and one of you like Epaphras, is a remarkable commentary on St. Pauls exhortation as to slaves and masters in the preceding chapter.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Onesimus A native of Colosse, and runaway slave of Philemon, converted at Rome through the labours of the apostle, and now returning in company with Tychicus to his master. He is legally a slave, but nevertheless a “beloved brother” in the Church of Christ, and joint-bearer of the present epistle.
All things here Many things respecting matters transacted at Rome could now be properly narrated which might not, in the times of Nero, be safely committed to writing.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Col 4:9. With Onesimus, This verse makes it possible, that this epistle, if it was not written after, was at least delivered after that to Philemon; and that the admirable letter to him, produced its desired effect. See the introductory note to Philemo
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
Ver. 9. With Onesimus a faithful ] Once unprofitable, but now profitable, faithful, and beloved. Plato went thrice to Sicily to convert Dionysius, and lost his labour. Polemo of a drunkard, by hearing Xenocrates, became a philosopher. But Ambrose saith well of him, si resipuit a vino, fuit semper tamen temulentus sacrilegio, if he repented of his drunkenness, yet he continued drunk with superstition. Philosophia non abscindit vitia, sed abscondit. Paul’s convert proved better, a faithful preacher and a beloved brother.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9 . . ] There can hardly be a doubt (compare Col 4:17 with Phm 1:2 ; Phm 1:10 ff.) that this is the Onesimus of the Epistle to Philemon. When Calv. wrote “vix est credibile hunc esse servum illum Philemonis, quia furis et fugitivi nomen dedecori subjectum fuisset,” he forgot that this very term, , is applied to him, Phm 1:16 .
] most probably, a native of your town.
. . . ] A formal restatement of . . above. Is it likely, with this restatement, that the same should be again stated in the middle of the sentence, as would be the case with the reading ?
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Col 4:9 . . Philemon’s runaway slave, who was rescued by Paul and converted to Christianity. Paul sent him back to his master, with the exquisite Epistle to Philemon despatched at the same time as this letter. He speaks of him in the most affectionate terms, to secure a welcome for him at Coloss. He seems from this passage to have belonged to Coloss, and we may infer that this was the home of Philemon. If the author of Colossians learnt his name from the Epistle to Philemon, it is strange that he should have contented himself with this bald reference, and made no allusion to his desertion, conversion and return to his master. Such omission here is characteristic of Paul’s delicacy. is wider than (Col 4:7 ). It means all that is happening to the Church in Rome.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
With. App-104.
a = the.
of. App-104.
make known. Same as “declare”, Col 4:7.
which are done. Omit.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9. .] There can hardly be a doubt (compare Col 4:17 with Phm 1:2; Phm 1:10 ff.) that this is the Onesimus of the Epistle to Philemon. When Calv. wrote vix est credibile hunc esse servum illum Philemonis, quia furis et fugitivi nomen dedecori subjectum fuisset, he forgot that this very term, , is applied to him, Phm 1:16.
] most probably, a native of your town.
. . . ] A formal restatement of . . above. Is it likely, with this restatement, that the same should be again stated in the middle of the sentence, as would be the case with the reading ?
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Col 4:9
Col 4:9
together with Onesimus,-Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, of Colossae. He had run away from his master. Paul met him in Rome, converted him to Christ, and returned him to Philemon in company with Tychicus.
the faithful and beloved brother,-Paul had learned to love and trust him, as my child, whom I have begotten in my bonds” as his very heart for his goodness and his proved fidelity and helpful service to himself. (Phm 1:10-13). Greatly had he wished to retain him, but it was the servants duty to return to his master.
who is one of you.-It was a natural and kindly feeling that prompted this reference. Ties of neighborhood and early association, as well as those of kindred, are formed, and belong to the constituted framework of human life. (Act 17:26). This claim of Onesimus is not destroyed by his being a slave at the very bottom of the social scale; nor was it forfeited by his conduct. Now that he has repented and returned, he was to be received by his fellow Christians as one of themselves.
They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.-They would make known the work done by Paul and his companions in Rome, as well as what was done to him, and what was his condition and need. [There was, therefore, no need for any detailed account of Pauls circumstances. The solicitude of which he assumes these Colossian Christians (Col 1:8; Col 2:1) feel in his behalf shows how commanding and how great his influence over the Gentile churches had become.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Onesimus: Col 4:7, Phm 1:10-19
Reciprocal: Act 15:25 – our 1Co 4:17 – faithful Eph 6:21 – beloved Phi 2:19 – to send 1Th 3:2 – our brother 1Pe 5:12 – a faithful
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
(Col 4:9.) -Along with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother. Onesimus carried with him another and more special testimonial and introduction to his master, Philemon. Onesimus had been a slave-had fled from his owner, and had, during his exile, been converted by the apostle. He was sent back in his new character, not now as a servant, but above a servant-a brother beloved, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. On being converted he had become, and is now eulogized as, a brother; and whatever may have been his delinquencies as a slave of Philemon, he is now commended as a faithful brother-one the genuineness of whose Christianity might be safely trusted. He was also one of themselves- , Colosse being either the place of his birth or his ordinary abode.
-They shall inform you of all matters here. The phrase is of much the same meaning as in Col 4:7, only the last is more personal, and the one before us more general in its nature. The apostle knew well the anxiety of the Colossians about him, and he wished them to be amply gratified.
The epistle is now brought to a conclusion by the introduction of a few salutations. Those who send their greetings to Colosse, were either personally, or at least by name, known to the church. The Syriac translator, in rendering the Greek term salute, reverts to the old Hebrew form, and makes it-ask for the peace of.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Col 4:9. Onesimus was the runaway slave of Philemon (Phm 1:10-16) who got in company with Paul in Rome and was persuaded to obey the Gospel. His master being a resident of Colosse, lie was sent back there with Tychicus as the epistle of Paul was sent to the church in that city. Who is one of you pertains both to his being a resident of the city, and also a brother in Christ. He was expected to join with Tychicus in reporting on the state of Paul.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Col 4:9. With Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother. The runaway slave, converted by the Apostle, and sent back to his master, Philemon, with the touching letter included in the New Testament. He is now recognized as the brother in an Epistle to be publicly read at Colossae and elsewhere (Col 4:16); he is commended as trustworthy (faithful) and presented as an object of affection (beloved). Such a return of fugitive slaves destroys slavery.
Who is one of you. This statement is of the greatest importance in determining questions respecting this group of Epistles, but its purpose was to commend the tidings and the joint-bearer of them still more to their attention (Ellicott). How much native truth, courage, and beauty is there in Christianity, which enabled the Apostle to speak thus of a runaway slave, to the inhabitants of that city from which he had fled! What other religion in the world could have done this? (Wordsworth.)
They shall make known, etc. Together they would give general intelligence respecting matters at Rome; Tychicus bore special tidings respecting the Apostle, which he was to tell to the readers of the Ephesian Epistle also (Eph 6:22). This clause is not a repetition of Col 4:8, but an extension of it. Notice, that from the first Christian fellowship has been strengthened by the interchange of news respecting the work of the gospel.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Onesimus, a runaway slave, would be accompanying Tychicus on this journey to Colossae. They also may have carried the letter to Philemon at this time. Like Tychicus, Onesimus is described by the apostle as trustworthy and beloved. They would know him since Colossae was his home town. The brethren were urged to accept these two messengers as spokesmen for Paul and his condition at the time of writing. He may have expected to be released soon ( Phm 1:22 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Verse 9
Onesimus. This Onesimus was the servant of Philemon, who returned with Tychicus to his master at Colosse, with the letter known as the Epistle to Philemon.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
“With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known unto you all things which [are done] here.”
Again we see the thought of a report of what is going on. There is great need for reports from the field. What are some of the reasons for these reports – say from a missionary you are supporting.
1. It gives you some idea if the worker is working. It is obvious that a dishonest worker is going to lie in his letters, but by the time we know we want to support a worker we usually have trust. We can know of what they are doing, what their needs are, and what we might be able to do for them.
2. This gives rise to the thought of prayer. Only if we know their needs can we pray specifically. I know we can pray in general and that is good, but we should have specifics for specific prayer – this is like going to war with shotguns. You can blast and hope you hit something, or you can go with a rifle and know that you are aiming at something specific.
3. Reports hold the worker somewhat accountable even though you are not there. They know that every month or so you are expecting to hear information about their activities for the time period before.
We supported some missionaries with a good mission for years. One of the things I liked about the mission was that each missionary went through a yearly evaluation with their area director. It wasn’t an interrogation, but was a setting of goals, desires, and listing of future activities. Each time they met they would go over these and see how things were going.
The area director then gave a written report to the contributors to that worker. This gave additional information about the quality of work that the person was doing. This was not to degrade or uplift, but to inform. A way to help make the worker accountable to their supporters.
Regrettably the mission decided this was not a worthy exercise even though they mouthed a strong local church accountability philosophy.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Onesimus had been a slave in the household of Philemon and a member of the Colossian church, had run away to Rome, and Paul had led him to Christ there. Paul sent him back to Colosse with Tychicus, not in chains but as a beloved brother in Christ who had proved himself faithful (cf. Phile.).
These men traveled from Rome to Colosse, probably by way of Ephesus and Laodicea, with the epistle to the Ephesians (Eph 6:21-22). They probably also carried one to the Laodiceans (cf. Col 4:16), and the epistle to Philemon (Phm 1:23-24), as well as this epistle.