Continuing on in his personal greetings, we discover some fascinating details about Paul’s entourage, his traveling companions, the young brothers he was mentoring. At the time of writing, he had sent Onesimus along with Tychicus (vs. 7-8) to give a ministry update to the Christians at Colossae. There was an obvious emotional connection between Paul and the church there, even though Paul had never actually visited them before. It is highly probable that the relationship came through such young men as were native to Colossae, with whom he had spent time. The love and concern they shared with the Colossians may have given the apostle a sense of love for them as well.

Onesimus, of course, was a former slave of Philemon—in fact the entire book of Philemon represents Paul’s attempt at reconciling the slave and his earthly master, now that both were Christians. It is clear Paul sees him as a free man and useful in the work of the gospel. He refers to him as “our faithful and beloved brother.” This was not just Paul’s feeling, but it was apparently shared with or at least would become obvious to the Colossians once he arrived. High commendation and affirmation of what Paul wrote elsewhere, “There is … neither slave nor free … for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).

Aristarchus was a member of the group of seven who accompanied Paul on his third mission tour (Acts 19:29, 20:4) and even traveled with Paul as he went under arrest to Rome on his final recorded trip (Acts 27:2). At the time of writing this letter, he seems to have been a prisoner along with the apostle. One can sense that Aristarchus embraced a universal love for all believers, for although he was a Macedonian from Thessalonica, he joined with Paul in sending greetings to the Colossians who lived in Asia Minor (Acts 27:2). Ethnicity proved no barrier to the fellowship of God’s people.

And then there is Mark (also known as John Mark, Acts 12:25), noted here as a cousin to Barnabas, the same Mark who accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first mission tour but bailed out part way through. Though Paul refused Mark as a team member on his second tour, now years later he has regained his stature in Paul’s eyes, so the apostle commends him to the Colossians.