Sent from Rome, by Tichicus and Onesimus

14 Luke salutes you.) I am not of their minds, who think this to be Luke the Evangelist, for I judge he was better known than that there needed such a kind of showing: and he should have been set forth with a more worshipful title: certainly he would have called him either his fellow helper, or at the least his faithful and trusty companion, and partner of his contentions and business. I rather conjecture that he was then away, and this other to be discerned from him by the name of a Physician. Although I contend not about it as being a certainty: but I do only bring conjectures. This Demas of which he makes mention, is the same without doubt whom he complains afterward to have forsaken him, 2 Timothy 4:10. When he speaks of the household Church of Nymphas, let us remember that in one household is prescribed of what fashion it beseems all the householders of Christians to be: namely that they be so many small Churches. Wherefore let every man know, that this charge is laid upon him, that he instruct his house in the fear of the Lord, that he keep it under holy discipline, to be short, that in the same he fashion an Image or representation of the Church.

16 Let it be read [in the] Church of the Laodiceans. This Epistle howsoever it was entitled to the Colossians, yet ought it to profit other. The like must we think of all the Epistles. They were indeed written once to certain Churches by name: but because they contain a perpetual doctrine, and that which is common to all ages: it makes no matter what title they have. For the argument and matter belongs to us. The other Epistle whereof also he makes mention, they have thought, though untruly, to have been written by Paul. They are twice deceived who have thought Paul to have written to the Laodiceans. I doubt not but that it was an Epistle sent to Paul, the reading whereof might be profitable to the Colossians: as Cities are accustomed which are near one to the other to have many things common between them. And it was too gross a deceit, that, I know not what Varlet, under this pretense, durst suborn and counterfeit so unsavory an Epistle, that nothing could be devised more contrary to the spirit of Paul [than it].

17 Say ye to Archippus. As near as I can guess, this Archippus supplied the room of the Pastor, whilst Epaphras was away. It may happen he was not such an one, as of himself was strong enough, except he were pricked forth. Therefore Paul's will is that he be heartened on to do the better at the motion of the whole Church. He might have warned him in his own name: but he enjoins the Colossians to do it, to the end they may know that they ought to prick their Pastor forward also, if they see him to be cold, and the Pastor himself may not refuse to be admonished of the Church. For the Ministers of the Word are endued with high power, but yet such as is not loose from Laws. And therefore it is necessary that they show themselves apt to learn, if they will teach others well. In that Paul does again set forth his bands he declares thereby that he is not lightly or a little grieved. For he was mindful of human infirmity: and without doubt he felt in himself certain prickings thereof, when he so greatly desired that all the godly should be mindful of his trouble. But this is [no] sign of distrustfulness, when he does require on all sides the aids and helps that by the Lord are appointed him. The subscribing of his hand, as elsewhere is seen, declares that even then there flew abroad forged Epistles, in so much that it was but need to stop and prevent false dealing.

14 Luke salutes you.) I do not agree with those who think this is Luke the Evangelist. I believe Luke the Evangelist was well enough known that there would be no need for such a bare introduction, and he would have been presented with a more honorable title. Paul would certainly have called him either a fellow worker or at least a faithful and trusted companion and partner in his struggles. I rather think that Luke the Evangelist was away at the time, and that this person is a different man distinguished from him by the name 'physician.' Though I do not press this as certain — these are only conjectures. This Demas Paul mentions here is without doubt the same man he later complains forsook him (2 Timothy 4:10). When he speaks of the church in the household of Nymphas, let us remember that in one household is described the pattern for all Christian households — each is to be a small church. Therefore let every man know this charge rests on him: to instruct his house in the fear of the Lord, to keep it under holy discipline, and in short to make it an image and representation of the church.

16 Let it be read in the church of the Laodiceans. This Epistle, though addressed to the Colossians, was meant to benefit others as well. The same must be said of all the Epistles. They were indeed written once to specific churches by name, but because they contain teaching that is permanent and common to every age, the address on the envelope matters little. For the content and argument belongs to us. The other Epistle he mentions here, which some have thought was also written by Paul, was wrongly attributed to him. Those who think Paul wrote an epistle to the Laodiceans are doubly mistaken. I have no doubt it was a letter sent to Paul, the reading of which would have been profitable to the Colossians, as nearby cities commonly have many things in common with each other. And it was far too clumsy a fraud for some unknown scoundrel to take that as a pretext and dare to forge such a tasteless epistle — one that could not be more contrary to the spirit of Paul.

17 Say you to Archippus. As best I can judge, Archippus was filling the role of pastor while Epaphras was away. It may be that he was not the kind of man who was strong enough on his own without being urged forward. Paul therefore wants him to be encouraged to do better through the prompting of the whole church. He could have warned him in his own name, but he charges the Colossians to do it — so that they may know it is their duty to spur on their pastor too, if they see him growing cold, and so that the pastor himself may not refuse to be admonished by the church. For the ministers of the Word hold high authority — but an authority that is not exempt from accountability. It is therefore necessary that they show themselves willing to learn, if they wish to teach others well. In mentioning his chains again, Paul shows he is not lightly or mildly troubled. He was mindful of human frailty, and without doubt he felt certain pangs of it himself, since he so earnestly desired all the godly to remember his hardship. But this is no sign of distrust — he is simply calling on all sides for the aids and helps the Lord has appointed him. The addition of his handwritten signature shows — as is seen elsewhere — that even then forged letters were circulating, and there was genuine need to guard against such fraudulent dealing.