HELP OTHERS WALK WORTHILY OF JEHOVAH - Work to Strengthen Others

Work to Strengthen Others

Fervent, specific prayer is not, of course the only way to help others, especially those near and dear to you.  The book of Colossians makes that clear.  Many scholars hold that after Paul supplied doctrinal direction and practical counsel, he appended mere salutations or personal greetings.  (Colossians 4:7-18)  On the contrary, we already have found that this final portion of the book contains noteworthy counsel, and there is more to  learn from this section.

Paul wrote:  "Aristarchus my fellow captive sends you his greetings, and does Mark he cousin of Barnabas,  (concerning whom you receive commands to welcome him if ever he comes to you), and Jesus who is called Justus, these being of those circumcised.  Only these are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and these very ones have become a strengthening aid to me." -Colossians 4:10, 11.


Paul there identified certain brothers who were worthy of special note.  he said that they were among the circumcised, of Jewish background.  There were many circumcised Jews in Rome, and some were now Christians.  Still, those Paul mentioned had come to his aid. Likely, they did not hesitate to associate with Christians of Gentile background and they must gladly have shared with Paul in preaching to Gentiles. -Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:116; 2:11-14.

Note Paul's comment: "These very ones have become a strengthening aid to me."  He used a Greek word that appears only this one time in the Bible.  Many translators  render it "comfort."  However, there is another Greek word (pa-ra-ka-le'o) more commonly rendered "comfort."  Paul used such elsewhere in this very letter but not at Colossians 4:11. -Matthew 5:4; Acts 4:36; 9:31; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Colossians 2:2; 4:8.

Those Paul named must have done more than give verbal solace.  The Greek term rendered "strenghtening aid" at Colossians 4:11 was sometimes used in secular texts for a medicine to relieve distress.  The New Life Version reads:   "What a help they have been to me!"   Today's English Version uses the same phrase:  "They have been a great help to me."  What might those Christian brothers near Paul have done to aid  him?

Next time:  Conclusion of Work to Strengthen Others

The Watchtower, 2000