Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:11
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only [are my] fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
11. And Jesus ] The Grecized form of Jehoshua (later, Jshua), “ Jehovah’s Help ”; a very common Jewish proper name. In the N.T., besides the countless places where it is the name of our Blessed Lord, and this place, it occurs Act 7:45; Heb 4:8; (of Joshua); and (according to well-supported readings) Luk 3:29, where A. V. has “ Jose ”; and (perhaps) Mat 27:16; “ Jesus Barabbas.”
Legend gives Jesus Justus a bishopric, that of Eleutheropolis, in Judea.
called Justus ] A Latin name, like Marcus and Paulus; see note on Col 4:10.
Lightfoot (see his note in full) shews that this name, “ Righteous,” was in common use among Jews and proselytes, as “denoting obedience to the law.” We find it Act 1:23; Act 18:7. The third bishop of Jerusalem, according to Eusebius ( History, 111. 35) was “a Jew, named Justus”; and the eleventh ( ibid. iv. 5) bore the same name. The name occurs, slightly modified ( Youst, Youst), in the Rabbinical writings. The feminine, Justa, is the name of the Syrophenician in the Clementine Homilies, a Judaizing book of cent. 3, where she appears as a proselytess.
“ Called ” : implies that Jesus Justus was better known by his Latin than by his Hebrew name.
who ] Aristarchus, Marcus, Jesus.
are of the circumcision ] For the phrase cp. Act 10:45; Act 11:2; Rom 4:12; Gal 2:12; Tit 1:10. It appears to mean converts to Christianity of Jewish birth (or proselytism). In Acts 11, Gal., Tit., cited above, “the men of circumcision,” shew a more or less partizan-like spirit towards the freedom of the Gospel. But this does not prove that the phrase bore necessarily a party colour, only that exclusives, Judaizers, would naturally appear, if anywhere, among the Hebrew Christians.
These only ] Probably he means, these only of all “the men of the circumcision” at Rome, while the large majority were acting as in Php 1:15-16. Alford takes the whole passage to be practically one statement, in loose grammatical connexion, as if it ran “Of the men of the circumcision these alone are &c.” We must not press the word “ only ” too far; he probably speaks here of leaders, not of the mass. Cp. Php 2:20; 2Ti 4:16.
my fellowworkers ] Cp. for the word in similar connexion, Rom 16:3; Rom 16:9; Rom 16:21; 2Co 8:23; Php 2:25; Php 4:3; 1Th 3:2 (perhaps); Phm 1:24. He loves the thought of partnership in his work for his Lord, see e.g. Php 1:7. The word “ my ” is not in the Greek, but it is evidently implied.
unto the kingdom of God ] See above Col 1:13, and note; and our notes on Eph 5:5. The phrase here means, in effect, “so as to promote the reign of God, in Christ, over man and in him, here and hereafter.”
which have been ] The Greek might almost be paraphrased, “ proving,” or “ as they have proved.” He means that their cooperation largely consisted in their proving “ a comfort,” instead of acting in opposition. “ Have been ” : more exactly, “ were,” or “ did prove.” But the English perfect well represents the Greek aorist here. See note on Col 4:8.
a comfort ] The Greek noun, pargoria, occurs here only in the Greek Bible; the cognate verb occurs Job 16:2, in the Greek version of Symmachus. The English word, in its common use, exactly renders it. The Latin Versions have solatium; Wyclif, “ solace.” His heart, often wounded by Judaistic opposition, was specially consoled by the loving loyalty of these Jewish Christian friends.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And Jesus, who is called Justus – The name Jesus was probably that which he bore among the Jews. Justus is a Roman name, and was probably that by which he was known among the Romans. It was not uncommon thus to assume another name when one went among a foreign people; compare the notes at Act 13:9.
Who are of the circumcision – Jews, or Jewish Christians. Nothing more is known of Justus.
These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God – The word only here, probably refers to the fact that they only of all the Jews who were at Rome assisted Paul in his work. Epaphras and Luke were also with him at Rome, and doubtless aided him.
Which have been a comfort unto me – The more so because they were Jews. The other Jews in Rome stood aloof, and doubtless endeavored to augment the trials of the apostle; compare Act 28:23-29.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Jesus, which is called Justus] Jesus, Joshua, or Jehoshua, was his name among his countrymen the Jews; Justus was the name which he bore among the Greeks and Romans.
These only] That is, only Aristarchuss Marcus, and Jesus Justus, who were formerly Jews or proselytes; for , they were of the circumcision, and assisted the apostle in preaching the Gospel. There were others who did preach Christianity, but they did it from envy and strife, in order to add affliction to the apostle’s bonds. It is evident, therefore, that St. Peter was not now at Rome, else he certainly would have been mentioned in this list; for we cannot suppose that he was in the list of those who preached Christ in an exceptionable way, and from impure and unholy motives: indeed, there is no evidence that St. Peter ever saw Rome. And as it cannot be proved that he ever was bishop or pope of that city, the keystone of the triumphal arch of the pope of Rome is pulled out; this building, therefore, of his supremacy, cannot stand.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; a third person of those who had been Jews mentioned in this salutation, is Jesus, surnamed Justus, (probably from his just conversation), whether the same with him mentioned in Lukes history of the Acts, Act 28:7, is not evident. The Greeks use Jesus for the Hebrew Joshua, Heb 4:8, it being common with them to more than one. However, the Christians, since the resurrection of Christ, out of reverence to their Lord and Master, (who is God as well as man), have forborne to call their children by the name of Jesus.
These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God; these three alone, i.e. of the Jews, (as for Timothy, his father was a Greek or Gentile, Act 16:1,3, and others were Gentiles, Act 28:28), were assistant to hint at Rome (where it seems Peter was not) in expounding and preaching the gospel, enlarging the kingdom of grace in converting of souls, Mat 4:23; Mar 4:11.
Which have been a comfort unto me; the carrying on of which work did administer matter of great consolation to him in his bonds.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. Justusthat is, righteous;a common name among the Jews; Hebrew, “tzadik“(Ac 1:23).
of the circumcisionThisimplies that Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Col 4:12;Col 4:14) were not of thecircumcision. This agrees with Luke’s Gentile name (the same asLucanus), and the Gentile aspect of his Gospel.
These only, c.namely,of the Jews. For the Jewish teachers were generally opposed to theapostle of the Gentiles (Php 1:15).Epaphras, &c., were also fellow laborers, but Gentiles.
untothat is, inpromoting the Gospel kingdom.
which have beenGreek,“which have been made,” or “have become,”that is, inasmuch as they have become a comfort to me. TheGreek implies comfort in forensic dangers a differentGreek word expresses comfort in domestic affliction [BENGEL].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Jesus, which is called Justus,…. The former of these names is the same with Joshua, and was very frequent with the Jews, and the later a surname that was sometimes given to men remarkable for holiness and righteousness: so Joseph, called Barsabas, is surnamed Justus, Ac 1:23 and James, the brother of our Lord, was called by the Jews James the Just m: whether this man was not the same with Justus of Corinth, whose house joined to the synagogue, and into which Paul entered, Ac 18:7 is not certain, but is likely: who are of the circumcision; were Jews, were circumcised persons, though not now sticklers for circumcision, and the rest of the ceremonies, as appears by what follows: this is to be understood of all the above persons, that sent their salutations to this church; though some confine it to Marcus, Barnabas’s sister’s son, and to Jesus, called Justus:
these only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God; who assisted him in preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and in promoting the honour and interest of Christ. These were the only persons of the Jewish nation that were then at Rome under that character; from whence it appears that Peter was not there at that time: the apostle adds,
which have been a comfort unto me; under his afflictions and sufferings, by visiting him, conferring with him, praying for him, communicating to him, and labouring in the Gospel in his room and stead.
m Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Jesus which is called Justus ( ). Another illustration of the frequency of the name Jesus (Joshua). The surname Justus is the Latin Justus for the Greek and the Hebrew Zadok and very common as a surname among the Jews. The name appears for two others in the N.T. (Acts 1:23; Acts 18:7).
Who are of the circumcision ( ). Jewish Christians certainly, but not necessarily Judaizers like those so termed in Ac 11:3 ( . Cf. Acts 35:1; Acts 35:5).
These only ( ). “Of the circumcision” (Jews) he means.
A comfort unto me ( ). Ethical dative of personal interest. is an old word (here only in N.T.) from , to make an address) and means solace, relief. A medical term. Curiously enough our word paregoric comes from it ().
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Jesus Justus. Not mentioned elsewhere. The only one of these names not mentioned in the salutations of the Epistle to Philemon.
Have been a comfort [ ] . Parhgoria comfort, only here in the New Testament. Properly, an address, an exhortation : an exhortation for the purpose of encouraging : hence a comfort. Plutarch, in his “Life of Cimon,” uses it with penqouv grief; a comfort, for grief; and in his “Life of Pericles,” of consolation for a dead son. Aretaeus, a medical writer, of the assuaging of a paroxysm. This word, and the kindred adjectives parhgorikov and parhgorhtikov soothing, are common in medical writings. So Galen, of soothing fictions, pretenses to quiet the diseased. Have been is, more strictly, have proved.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And Jesus, which is called Justus” (kai lesous ho legomenos loustos) “And Jesus, the one being named (called) Justus.” Nothing else is known of this person in the New Testament. Two other disciples named Justus were Joseph Justus, Act 1:23; and Titus Justus, a Gentile of Corinth, Act 18:7.
2) “Who are of the circumcision” (ho ontes ek peri tomes) “of the ones being of (the) circumcision,” from among the Jews, having become Christian, missionary helpers to Paul.
3) “These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God” (houtoi monoi sunergoi eis ten Basileian tou theou) “These only are my colleague-workers for the kingdom of God,” from among the circumcision or Jews. These were not his only fellow-workers but his only ones from among the Jews.
4) “Which have been a comfort unto me” (oitines egenethesan moi paregoria) “who have voluntarily become a comfort to me,” apparently during some special incident, Php_2:17-24, as Timothy was through so much of PauI’s ministry, to the end. 2Ti 4:1-8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
11. These only are fellow-workers, — that is, of the circumcision; for he afterwards names others, but they were of the uncircumcision. He means, therefore, that there were few Jews at Rome who shewed themselves to be helpers to the gospel, nay more, that the whole nation was opposed to Christ. At the same time, by workers he means those only who were endowed with gifts that were necessary for promoting the gospel. But where was Peter at that time? Unquestionably, he has either been shamefully passed over here, and not without injustice, or else those speak falsely who maintain that he was then at Rome. Farther, he calls the gospel the kingdom of God, for it is the scepter by which God reigns over us, and by means of it we are singled out to life eternal. (479) But of this form of expression we shall treat more fully elsewhere.
(479) “ Nous sommes receus a la vie eternelle;” — “We are received to life eternal.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) Jesus, which is called Justus.The surname Justus is found in Act. 1:23; Act. 18:7; we learn from tradition that by it, or by its equivalent, St. James, the Lords brother, was known. In this case it is curious that one who bore our Lords name should also have been known by a surname which was His peculiar title, the Just One. (See Act. 22:14; and comp. Luk. 23:47.) Of this Justus there is no other notice, not even in the Epistle to Philemon, in which all the other names recur.
Who are of the circumcision. These only . . .The juxtaposition of the two notices seems to indicatewhat is in itself likelythat the brethren who held aloof from St. Paul in strife and envy, and whose conduct produced that sense of isolation of which he speaks so pathetically in Php. 2:20, were of the circumcision. Out of them, only Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were true fellow-workers, and as such a comfort to the Apostolic labourer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Jesus The Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua. Note, Mat 1:21. It was not an uncommon name among the Jews, but Christians at an early day came to disuse it through reverence for it as the name of the Redeemer. The surname Justus, given to the person here mentioned, was also frequent with the Jews. Nothing is known of him except as stated in the text, unless we receive the tradition that he was afterward bishop of Eleutheropolis.
Of the circumcision Born Jews, or proselytes, but now Christian preachers. There were doubtless other Jewish Christians at Rome, but only the three named, Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus Justus, assisted the apostle in his work. The rest opposed and thwarted him, becoming a sorrow rather than a comfort to him. The persons named below, who laboured in full sympathy with him, were Gentiles.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Col 4:11. These only are my fellow-workers That is, he had none other of the circumcision; for Luke and Demas were with him. See the next note.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Col 4:11 . Of this Jesus nothing further is known.
. is to be attached, with Lachmann (comp. also Steiger, Huther, Bleek), to what follows, so that a full stop is not to be inserted (as is usually done) after . Otherwise . would be purposeless, and the following . . . too general to be true, and in fact at variance with the subsequent mention of Epaphras and Luke (Col 4:12-14 ). It is accordingly to be explained: Of those, who are from the circumcision, these alone (simply these three, and no others) are such fellow-labourers for the kingdom of the Messiah, as have become a comfort to me . The Jewish-Christian teachers, consequently, worked even at Caesarea to a great extent in an anti-Pauline sense. Comp. the complaint from Rome, Phi 1:15 ; Phi 1:17 . The nominative . puts the generic subject at the head; but as something is to be affirmed not of the genus , but of a special part of it, that general subject remains without being followed out, and by means of the the special subject is introduced with , so that the verb (here the to be supplied) now attaches itself to the latter. A phenomenon of partitive apposition, which is current also in classical authors. See Khner, II. 1, p. 246; Ngelsbach and Faesi on Hom Il . iii. 211. Comp. Matthiae, p. 1307. Hence there is the less reason for breaking up the passage, which runs on simply, after the fashion adopted by Hofmann, who treats as inserted parenthetically between and . The complimentary affirmation is to be referred to all the three previously named, without arbitrary exclusion of Aristarchus (in opposition to Hofmann). At any rate, Caesarea was a city so important for the Christian mission, that many teachers, Jewish-Christian and Gentile-Christian, must have frequented it, especially while Paul was a prisoner there; and consequently the notice in the passage before us need not point us to Rome as the place of writing.
] consolation, comfort , only here in the N. T.; more frequently in Plutarch; see Kypke. , Theodoret Bengel imposes an arbitrary limitation: “in forensi periculo.”
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Ver. 11. These only are my fellowworkers ] St Paul complains of fickle and false friends, that forsook him in his distress, as Demas, 2Ti 4:10 ; 2Ti 4:16 , that like Job’s friends proved miserable comforters, and as the brooks of Tema, which in a moisture swell, in a drought fail; or as the river Novanus in Lombardy, that at every midsummer solstice swelleth and runneth over the banks, but in mid-winter is clean dry. Howbeit Marcus, Aristarchus, Onesimus, Onesiphorus, and some few others, stuck to him. A great mercy: Optimum solatium, sodalitium, the greatest comfort and fraternity.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
11 . ] Entirely unknown to us. A Justus is mentioned Act 18:7 , as an inhabitant of Corinth, and a proselyte: but there is no further reason to identify the two. The surname Justus ( ) was common among the Jews: cf. Act 1:23 , and Jos. Vit. 9, 65, 76.
These alone who are of the circumcision (the construction is of the nature of an anacoluthon, . being equivalent to ‘of those of the circumcision.’
We have a similar construction frequently in the classics: e.g. , Il. . 211: , Od. . 483. See many more examples in Khner, ii. 678. 2. This seems far better, with Meyer and Lachmann, than with rec. Ellic. al. to place the stop at and attach the clause to the three preceding names. For thus we lose (in spite of the assertion by Ellic. that the naturally refers the thought to the category last mentioned) the fact that there were other not of the circumcision who had been a comfort to him. The judaistic teachers were for the most part in opposition to St. Paul: cf. his complaint, Phi 1:15 ; Php 1:17 ) are my fellow-workers towards the kingdom of God (the rest would not be called by this name so that De W.’s objection to the construction does not apply, that the opponents would not be called ; for they are not so called), man that proved (the passive meaning of is not safely to be pressed: see notes on Eph 3:7 ; 1Th 1:5-6 ; 1Pe 1:15 . The aor. alludes to some event recently passed: to what precisely, we cannot say) a comfort to me (they are my ‘quippe qui.’ Hierocles, de nuptiis, apud Stob. (Kypke), has the same phrase: . : so Plutarch, de auditione, p. 43 (id.), ).
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Col 4:11 . : otherwise unknown to us. Zahn has well pointed out that the mention of this name, in addition to those mentioned in Philemon, creates difficulties for the impugners of the authenticity. If Philemon was authentic why should an imitator venture to add an unknown person, and especially to give him the name Jesus, that so soon became sacred among Christians? If not authentic, why should he not have copied himself? : to be taken with the following words, in spite of the awkwardness of the construction. What is meant is that these are the only ones of the circumcision who have been a help to him. If a stop is placed at ., we get the sense that these who have just been mentioned are his only fellow-workers, which is not true. Aristarchus is probably not included, for he went as one of the deputation sent by the Gentile Christians with the collection for the Church at Jerusalem. : for the attitude of Jewish Christians in Rome towards Paul cf. Phi 1:15-17 ; Phi 2:19-24 . This is more natural in a letter from Rome than from Csarea. . The phrase is intentionally chosen; the Jews were devoted to the kingdom; Paul should have found in the Jewish Christians his best helpers. : the aorist seems to point to some special incident.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Jesus. Compare Act 7:45
Justus. See Act 18:2,
fellowworkers. Greek. sunergos. See 1Co 3:9.
unto. Greek. eis. App-104.
kingdom. See App-112.
been = become.
comfort. Greek paregoria. Only here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
11. ] Entirely unknown to us. A Justus is mentioned Act 18:7, as an inhabitant of Corinth, and a proselyte: but there is no further reason to identify the two. The surname Justus () was common among the Jews: cf. Act 1:23, and Jos. Vit. 9, 65, 76.
These alone who are of the circumcision (the construction is of the nature of an anacoluthon, . being equivalent to of those of the circumcision.
We have a similar construction frequently in the classics: e.g. , Il. . 211: , Od. . 483. See many more examples in Khner, ii. 678. 2. This seems far better, with Meyer and Lachmann, than with rec. Ellic. al. to place the stop at and attach the clause to the three preceding names. For thus we lose (in spite of the assertion by Ellic. that the naturally refers the thought to the category last mentioned) the fact that there were other not of the circumcision who had been a comfort to him. The judaistic teachers were for the most part in opposition to St. Paul: cf. his complaint, Php 1:15; Php 1:17) are my fellow-workers towards the kingdom of God (the rest would not be called by this name-so that De W.s objection to the construction does not apply, that the opponents would not be called ; for they are not so called), man that proved (the passive meaning of is not safely to be pressed: see notes on Eph 3:7; 1Th 1:5-6; 1Pe 1:15. The aor. alludes to some event recently passed: to what precisely, we cannot say) a comfort to me (they are my quippe qui. Hierocles, de nuptiis, apud Stob. (Kypke), has the same phrase: . : so Plutarch, de auditione, p. 43 (id.), ).
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Col 4:11. , who are) namely, Aristarchus, Marcus, Jesus.-, alone) of the circumcision.-) The propriety of the word should be observed; what is in domestic sorrow, is in forensic danger.[32]
[32] Inasmuch as comes from , word of advice: , from , the forum, .-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Col 4:11
Col 4:11
and Jesus that is called Justus,-This is the only mention of him. He was most likely a Jew of Rome, who had become a Christian, and the fact that he was found at this time by Pauls side says a great deal for his courage and faith, as well as for his largeness of heart. [If for no other reason, then, it was fitting that his name should be honorably mentioned. His cognomen Justus attests his reputation among his fellow citizens for legal strictness and uprightness would make his attachment for Paul the more valuable. The surname Justus is found in Act 1:23; Act 18:7; and we learn from tradition that by it James the Lords brother was known.]
who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.-The juxtaposition of the two notices seems to indicate-what is itself likely-that the brethren who held aloof from Paul in envy and strife (Php 1:15-20) were of the circumcision. Out of them only Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, as converts from Judaism, and as the only Jewish Christians in Rome of any prominence who stood by him as fellow workers and rendered him much encouragement and comfort in the Lords work.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
who: Act 10:45, Act 11:2, Rom 4:12, Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8, Eph 2:11, Tit 1:10
fellowworkers: Col 4:7, 1Co 3:5-9, 2Co 6:1, Phi 4:3, 1Th 3:2, Phm 1:1, Phm 1:24
a comfort: 2Co 7:6, 2Co 7:7, 1Th 3:7
Reciprocal: Mat 9:37 – but Act 18:7 – Justus Phi 2:20 – I have Phi 2:25 – companion 2Ti 1:14 – good 3Jo 1:8 – fellowhelpers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
(Col 4:11.) -And Jesus, who is named Justus. Of this Jesus Justus we know nothing. Chrysostom and others would identify him with the Justus mentioned in Act 18:7. That appears to have been a proselyte-this was a born Jew.
The proper punctuation of the remaining clause is matter of doubt. It has been commonly read- , with a stop, who were of the circumcision, namely, Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus Justus. And then the apostle adds-these only are my fellow-workers to the kingdom of God. But it is plain that the apostle had many other fellow-workers, and that he means, that among the believing Jews these only had co-operated with him. Such a necessary limitation of meaning has suggested another form of punctuation, which puts a stop after , and commences with a new sentence-these being of the circumcision, they alone were my fellow-workers; or, of them of the circumcision, these alone were my fellow-workers. This construction is adopted by Lachmann, Steiger, Huther, and Meyer. In such a case the phrase , is a species of anacoluthon. Such a construction, however, seems awkward. Indeed, by the first form of construction, the same result is obtained; for it is plain that in , the writer limits himself to the circumcision. By the kingdom of God, the apostle means the church-as a divine institute; and they were his colleagues not in the kingdom, but unto the kingdom, that is, unto its furtherance and consolidation, The preposition has often such a signification. To consolidate and extend this kingdom was the end of his apostolical mission. These three Jews were the only parties of their race who lent him any assistance for this purpose at Rome, and of whom therefore he adds-
-Who indeed have been an encouragement to me. The Syriac renders-and these only, . The noun occurs only here. It signifies originally an address or exhortation, then it came to denote the result of such exhortation-comfort. Still we apprehend it is comfort in the form of encouragement. The other believing Jews plagued the apostle, and he complains of them in the epistle to the Philippians, that they preached Christ even of envy and strife-of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds. Php 1:15-16. As the apostle of the Gentiles, and the zealous maintainer of the free and unconditioned admission of men to the church, without any reference to the law, Paul was an object of bitter prejudice to many Christian Hebrews. The names which follow are, therefore, those of persons of heathen birth.
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Col 4:11. This Jesus is distinguished from others of the same name by giving us his surname; called [surnamed] Justus. Of the circumcision means they were Jews converted to the Gospel. These only refers to the Jewish Christians mentioned in this and the preceding verse. They were the only ones of that nationality who were fellow-workers with Paul, and who thus had been a comfort to him. Certain Gentile converts also co-operated with him, some of whom have been already mentioned, and others will be named later in this chapter.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Col 4:11. And Jesus, who is called Justus. Otherwise unknown; not the person mentioned in Act 18:7, since the latter was a proselyte, not a born Jew, and moreover was called Titus Justus.
who are of the circumcision. These three companions of Paul were Jews. Many disconnect this clause from what precedes, and render: Of those who are of the circumcision, only these are my fellow-workers, etc. This is undoubtedly the correct sense, since others, who were not Jews, had labored with him and been a comfort. But this view makes the grammatical connection (in the Greek) very difficult
These only, etc. This indicates the general antagonism of the Jewish Christians; comp. Php 1:15.
Such as (of such a kind as) have been a comfort onto me; have proved a comfort unto me. A touching allusion to the trials he encountered from the Judaizers. Others, not of the Jews, had been a comfort to him. The verse does not necessarily imply that others of the Jews had been fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, and yet not a comfort unto him. The use of the term fellow-worker seems to oppose this view.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
This Jesus, or Joshua, called Justus, is only mentioned here. He, Aristarchus and Mark are Jewish converts who are faithful in the kingdom. This may be especially significant to Paul because conflict with the Jews had led to his imprisonment. Also, it appears Paul’s great desire for the Jews had been thwarted in Rome ( Rom 9:1-5 ; Rom 10:1 ). Both these men had given the apostle some comfort, which means soothing relief and comes from the word out of which we got the word paregoric. Coffman suggests Paul may have picked the word up from Luke, the physician ( Col 4:9-11 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Verse 11
Jesus. This was not an uncommon name among the Jews. It was the Greek form of the word Joshua. (Hebrews 4:8.) Justus is a Latin form, being the name, probably, which he received among the Romans.–Of the circumcision; of the Jewish nation.–These only are, &c.; that is, from among the Jews.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
“And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only [are my] fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”
He shares the reason for mentioning these men – they have been a comfort to him. Again this thought of recognizing those you work with as being profitable to you.
Not only is there application to pastors/leaders, but how about you Christian employers. I have worked for believers in the past and enjoyed a nice working space, but seldom have I received any real recognition for the good work that they have enjoyed from me – a kind loving word now and then would be beneficial to both the worker and the employer.
I might get theological for a moment – unto the Kingdom of God – Paul preached the coming kingdom all through his ministry. This book is late in his life and he still sees the Kingdom as a primary part of the ministry at hand. In Acts we see that even unto the end he was preaching the Kingdom. “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” 28:31
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These {f} only [are my] fellowworkers unto the {g} kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
(f) Hence, Peter was not at that time in Rome.
(g) In the Gospel.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Jesus Justus’ name occurs only here in the New Testament. These three men were Jewish Christians as is clear from their names. By mentioning them Paul helped the Colossians realize that what he had written about Jews and Gentiles being equal in Christ was a reality in his ministry. The "kingdom of God" here probably refers to the domain over which Christ presently rules in contrast to Satan’s domain (cf. Col 1:13).