Sharing The Ministry

It’s tempting to just skim over the personal greetings at the end of Paul’s letters. But each letter gives a fascinating insight into the ministry network that Paul relied on. Why don’t you look closely at these verses and be encouraged by the glimpses that we get of all the various individuals who partnered in ministry with Paul?

We’ve got Tychicus (mentioned 5 times in the Bible) who was a long-term missionary partner with Paul, he gets entrusted with delivering a number of precious letters to some of the churches Paul had previously planted.

Then there’s Onesimus, a runaway slave who got saved and whose life was transformed. Eventually, Paul sends him back to his owner who is also a believer. You can check out Paul’s letter to Philemon where he talks about Onesimus.

Aristarchus had travelled with Paul for a lengthy period of time. He's mentioned at the start of Acts 20.

And then there’s Barnabas’ cousin Mark. Paul and Barnabas had done some amazing ministry together, but then they had a major conflict over some of Mark’s shortcomings and parted company. But now Mark is back with Paul and supporting him in his ministry. It would be awesome to be able to read more about how God restored their relationship. Quite a story, I'm sure.

There’s Justus, Epaphras, and of course, Luke who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. We’ve got Nympha who is a leader of a church in Laodicea. And then for some reason, Archippus needs to be reminded to get on with the ministry responsibility that he was given.

Each of these individuals was active in supporting Paul’s ministry. They all contributed in meaningful ways to what God was doing throughout the Roman world. Each of them had a whole life of ministry that we know almost nothing about. But here we get a glimpse of how significant their lives were and that should be a great encouragement to us. Because God uses all kinds of diverse individuals to build His Kingdom.

Sometimes we can fall into the trap of being dazzled by high-profile Christians. It’s great that God is using them, but His purposes aren’t accomplished through a few spectacular individuals. God has always used faithful and humble servants of the Gospel, and He still does today.

REFLECT

Paul finishes with a funny little comment, “Remember my chains”. It’s almost a humorous reminder about keeping things in perspective. Paul’s life and his struggles are meant to encourage us. God is working in and through me even when I’m constrained by circumstances I can’t control. Paul sees his imprisonment as symbolic of how God works in every season and context. And for some reason that's his parting thought.