“7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.” Colossians 4:7-18.
—————————
Paul sure had a lot of friends. I counted ten friends mentioned here: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Barnabas, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, and Archippus. And, Paul was in jail. Moreover, unlike today where visitors have rights, the friends risked their own imprisonment by visiting Paul and by being a friend of Paul.
Paul’s friends knew about Paul’s condition even though Paul was locked away.
Paul’s friends encouraged Paul and were encouraged by Paul.
Paul’s friends disclosed their concerns and ministry goals to Paul.
They were true friends, even considered brothers to Paul.
Here are ten verses about friends, one for each friend of Paul.
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 27:6
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
Proverbs 27:10
“Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.”
Matthew 11:19
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
John 3:29
“He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.”
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:14
“You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
John 15:15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
James 2:23
“and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.”
3 John 1:15
“Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”
This devotion is dedicated to my friend Harry who has been a good friend to me my entire life and who does visit those in prison and who otherwise also demonstrates well the qualities of being a friend to me and others friends shown in today’s Scripture. Thank you Harry!
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 