The importance of the opening and closure of the apostolic letters is often overlooked. While they contain also valuable information. Similarly, in the closure of Paul’s letter to the saints (kereke) at Colosse, which Paul wrote from prison in Rome (Bakolose 4:7-18).
Paul’s last words and salutation to the saints at Colossians 4:7-18
Ho Bakolose 4:7-18 Pauluse o ngotse, All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, ke mang wa lona. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) Le Jesu, 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.
Epafrase, ke mang wa lona, mohlanka wa Kreste, salutes you, ka mehla ba le etsetsa merapelo e tiileng, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Luka, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus (Bakolose 4:7-18)
Paul’s fellow servants, prisoners, and workers of Christ unto the Kingdom of God
Ho Bakolose 4:7-18 Paul mentioned the names of his fellowservants and fellowprisoners in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were servants of Christ and fellowworkers unto the Kingdom of God (Bakolose 4:11)
All his fellowservants and fellowworkers of the Kingdom of God were not only working for Christ, but they were also there for each other.
The servants of Christ encouraged and comforted each other and labored fervently for each other in their prayers. They exhorted each other to stay faithful to the ministry, wherefore they were called, and to fulfill their ministry.
They encouraged, comforted, and exhorted each other because the Christians had a hard time in the pagan countries among the unbelievers, who lived without God in sin.
Their message of the gospel was not always received with joy and gladness. And their walk and the life they lived were not always appreciated.
The love for Jesus Christ and the Father compelled the believers to fulfill their task
Leha ho le joalo, there was one thing that compelled them to fulfill their task, and that was their great love for their Lord Jesus Christ.
They believed the words of their Lord Jesus, when He told His disciples, that as the people hated Him and persecuted Him, His disciples would also be hated and persecuted
Jesu e ne e se oa lefatše, but He belonged to God’s Kingdom.
Just like the saints, who were transferred from the darkness into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son, don’t belong to the world.
And just like the world hated Jesus, because He was not of the world and He testified that the works of the world were evil, the world also hated the saints because they were born of God and belonged to Christ and testified of the wicked works of the world. (Oh. Johanne 7:7; 8:23-59; 9:39; 14:17-21; 15:18-26; 16:1-11, 33; 17:14-19)
Ehlile, there were also people, who didn’t hate, and rejected, and persecuted the saints and their words, but believed their words, and repented and through ho tsoaloa bocha ho Kreste became a new creation and then walked after the Spirit according to the Word. Leha ho le joalo, they lived and worked in a world that hated them.
But it was the love they had for Jesus and the love and fear for the Father that compelled them and whereby they persevered and stood steadfast in the faith.
Without this boundless love for Jesus Christ and the Father, no one will stand. That’s because the power of the world and the opposition is great.
The love of Jesus for the Father compelled Him to finish His work
Jesus knew the Father and His love for the Father compelled Him to finish His work on earth. His love for the Father prevented Him to give into the temptations tsa diabolosi, batho, and the flesh.
The love for His Father was greater than the love for His flesh and the love for people. Leha ho le joalo, from His love for His Father, He showed His love for the people.
The perilous times and the assembling of the saints
Jesus knew that perilous times would come and He warned His disciples and fellow labourers in the Kingdom of God. Therefore the assembling of the saints was important. Not to play church and to come together for a social gathering and to be entertained and do church activities and fun stuff and have a good time, but to teach the word, 'nete, and the will of God and to equip the saints in the spiritual war.
The communion with each other was meant to encourage, urge, comfort, warn, nepahala, eletsa, and to pray and fight together for the Kingdom of God.
They knew very well, that although they were transferred from the (kingdom of) darkness into the light; Mmuso wa Modimo, moo Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Majesty and reigns, they lived in a world amidst a faithless, bofebe, bobe (kgopo) and sinful (khopame) moloko, who had the devil as father and spoke lies and did evil works, and that caused strive and persecution.
Leha ho le joalo, in the power of the Holy Spirit and the communion with their Lord Jesus and the almighty Father, and their fellow brothers and sisters, they were able to bear it and stand in the faith and be victors in the spiritual fight.
Epaphras labored fervently in prayers for the saints, that they would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God
We read about Epaphras, mohlanka wa Kreste, who was one of them and always labored fervently in prayers for the saints at Colosse.
What did he pray for? Did he pray for earthly riches and favors (Mahlohonolo) for the saints? Che, he prayed that the saints would stand perfect and complete in all the thato ya Modimo.
That was his prayer and that should also be the prayer of every believer and saint and fellow servant in Christ.
It’s not about people, but about God and His Son Jesus Christ and obeying and executing His will on earth. So that His Kingdom becomes visible through the lives of the saints.
‘E be letsoai la lefatše’
