Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus--a Macedonian of Thessalonica (Act 27:2), who was dragged into the theater at Ephesus, during the tumult with Gaius, they being "Paul's companions in travel." He accompanied Paul to Asia (Act 20:4), and subsequently (Act 27:2) to Rome. He was now at Rome with Paul (compare Plm 1:23-24). As he is here spoken of as Paul's "fellow prisoner," but in Plm 1:24 as Paul's "fellow laborer"; and vice versa, Epaphras in Plm 1:23, as his "fellow prisoner," but here (Col 1:7) "fellow servant," MEYER in ALFORD, conjectures that Paul's friends voluntarily shared his imprisonment by turns, Aristarchus being his fellow prisoner when he wrote to the Colossians, Epaphras when he wrote to Philemon. The Greek for "fellow prisoner" is literally, fellow captive, an image from prisoners taken in warfare, Christians being "fellow soldiers" (Phi 2:25; Plm 1:2), whose warfare is "the good fight of faith." Mark--John Mark (Act 12:12, Act 12:25); the Evangelist according to tradition. sister's son--rather, "cousin," or "kinsman to Barnabas"; the latter being the better known is introduced to designate Mark. The relationship naturally accounts for Barnabas' selection of Mark as his companion when otherwise qualified; and also for Mark's mother's house at Jerusalem being the place of resort of Christians there (Act 12:12). The family belonged to Cyprus (Act 4:36); this accounts for Barnabas' choice of Cyprus as the first station on their journey (Act 13:4), and for Mark's accompanying them readily so far, it being the country of his family; and for Paul's rejecting him at the second journey for not having gone further than Perga, in Pamphylia, but having gone thence home to his mother at Jerusalem (Mat 10:37) on the first journey (Act 13:13). touching whom--namely, Mark. ye received comma…

I. He continues his account of the duty of masters, from the close of the former chapter (Col 4:1). II. He exhorts to the duty of prayer (Col 4:2-4), and to a prudent and decent conduct towards those with whom we converse (Col 4:5, Col 4:6). III. He closes the epistle with the mention of several of his friends, of whom he gives an honourable testimony (Col 4:7-18).

4:10-14 Of the six people named, five are also mentioned in Phlm 1:23-24. 4:10 Aristarchus was a common name, but he was probably the same man from Thessalonica (Acts 19:29; 20:4) who accompanied Paul on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2). Acts does not suggest that Aristarchus was also under arrest, so perhaps he was in prison with Paul voluntarily, sharing his confinement in order to encourage him and assist him in ministry. • Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, had gone with Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey but had left them before the journey was finished (Acts 13:13). That desertion led to a split between Paul and Barnabas as the second journey was about to begin (Acts 15:37-40). Paul and Mark were apparently now reconciled (see also 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 1:24). • As you were instructed before: There is no other record of this communication.