QT 28/11/2025 Fri. Colossians 4:7–18 Grace be with you 愿恩惠与你们同在

QT 28/11/2025 Fri. Colossians 4:7–18  Grace be with you
READ http://www.esv.org/col4:7-18

“Grace be with you.” — Colossians 4:18 (ESV)

At first glance, Paul’s closing greetings in Colossians may seem like a simple list of names—Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Demas. But these verses are far more than ancient footnotes. They reveal how the gospel shapes real relationships, real ministry, and real faithfulness.

Behind each name is a testimony of God’s grace at work. And behind Paul’s final words stands a Savior who builds His church not through celebrities, but through ordinary people filled with extraordinary grace.

(1) Gospel Ministry Is Always a Team Effort

Paul mentions eight coworkers in this short section—messengers, encouragers, fellow prisoners, prayer warriors, and servants. The apostle who wrote half the New Testament did not work alone.

Tychicus was described as a “beloved brother” and “faithful minister.” Onesimus is called “faithful and beloved”—once a runaway slave, now a restored believer. Aristarchus suffers with Paul. Mark, once a disappointment, is now useful again. Luke is the beloved physician.

Their stories remind us: Ministry is not about lone heroes. God builds His kingdom through community, not isolation. The gospel binds very different people into one mission. In Christ, no one is unnecessary. Everyone has a place.

(2) God Restores People Others Have Written Off

Perhaps the most beautiful name in the list is Mark. This is the same Mark who once abandoned Paul and caused a painful ministry split (Acts 15). Yet here, Paul says, “if he comes to you, welcome him.” Only grace can effect a changed life like that.

The gospel turns failures into future faithfulness. Those who fall can rise again because Christ restores. If Paul and Mark can be reconciled, so can we. The church is a community of redemption.

Who in your life needs a second chance? Who do you need to welcome again? In Christ, yesterday’s failure does not define tomorrow’s calling.

(3) Prayer Is the Hard Work Behind All Fruitfulness

Epaphras is described as someone who “always struggles on your behalf in his prayers.” What a portrait of love! He labours—not with travel, not with words, but with intercession.

Much of the real work of the kingdom is invisible. Unseen saints on their knees sustain the mission of the church. Your faithful, quiet prayers may be shaping lives and opening doors you will never see this side of heaven. In God’s economy, hidden obedience is never wasted.

(4) Faithfulness Matters More Than Fame

Luke is “the beloved physician.” Demas is just a name here—but later he will fall away.

Colossians 4 reminds us:

• What matters most is faithfulness, not recognition.
• Hidden loyalty is more precious than public applause.
• A steady Christian life, lived in love and obedience, glorifies Christ more than any spotlight.
• Finish well. Stay faithful. Keep Christ at the center.

(5) The Christian Life Begins and Ends With Grace

Paul ends the letter simply: “Grace be with you.” This is how the Christian life works: Grace saves us. Grace sustains us. Grace restores us. Grace sends us. And grace will bring us home.

The same grace that transformed Tychicus, Onesimus, Mark, and Luke is the grace that walks with you today.

Reflection Questions

(1) Where do I need to value gospel community more than self-reliance?

(2) Who in my life needs encouragement—or restoration like Mark received?

(3) How can I deepen my hidden ministry of prayer this week?

(4) Am I living for faithfulness or for recognition?

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the grace that saves and sustains me. Thank You for the believers You have placed around me—brothers and sisters to encourage, support, and serve with. Teach me to value community, to extend grace like You restored Mark, to pray faithfully like Epaphras, and to finish my race with steadfast devotion. May Your grace be with me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 28/11/2025 星期五. 歌罗西书 4:7–18 愿恩惠与你们同在
阅读 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians 3J7-18&version=CNVS

“愿恩惠与你们同在。”——歌罗西书 4:18

乍看之下，保罗在歌罗西书结尾的问候似乎只是简单的名字罗列——提基库斯、俄尼西母、亚里达古、马可、以巴弗、路加、底马。但这些经文远不止是古代的脚注。它们揭示了福音如何塑造真实的人际关系、真实的事工和真实的忠心。

每个名字背后，都是神恩典运作的见证。保罗最后的话语背后，站着一位救主——祂建造教会并非倚靠名人，而是通过充满非凡恩典的平凡人。

(1) 福音事工永远是团队合作

保罗在这段简短经文中提及八位同工——使者、劝勉者、同囚者、祷告勇士、服侍者。这位撰写新约半数书卷的使徒并非独自工作。

提基库斯被称为“亲爱的弟兄”和“忠心的执事”；俄尼西母获称“忠心又蒙爱的”——这位逃跑的奴隶如今已成为蒙恩的信徒；亚里达古与保罗同受患难；马可曾令人失望，如今却重新成为得力助手；路加则是受人敬爱的医生。

他们的故事提醒我们：事工并非孤胆英雄的舞台。上帝通过群体而非孤立来建立祂的国度。福音将形形色色的人凝聚成同一使命。在基督里，无人可有可无，人人皆有其位。

(2) 神挽回他人弃绝之人

名单中最动人的名字或许是马可。正是这位马可曾背弃保罗，导致事工分裂（使徒行传15章）。然而保罗在此说：“他若到你们那里去，你们就接待他。”唯有恩典能成就如此生命的改变。

福音将失败者化为未来的忠信者。跌倒之人能重新站立，因基督施行挽回。若保罗与马可能和解，我们同样能。教会是救赎的共同体。

你生命中谁需要第二次机会？你需要再次接纳谁？在基督里，昨日的失败不定义明日的呼召。

(3) 祷告是所有丰硕果实的背后辛劳

以巴弗被描述为“常为你们竭力祈求”之人。何等爱的写照！他劳苦——不是奔波，不是言语，而是代求。

天国真正的劳作多在暗处。跪在隐秘处的圣徒支撑着教会的使命。你忠心安静的祷告，或许正在塑造生命、开启大门，这些在今生你永远无法看见。在上帝的计划里，隐秘的顺服永不徒然。

(4) 忠心胜于名声

路加是“所亲爱的医生”，底马在此仅是名字——但后来他便离弃了信仰。

歌罗西书4章提醒我们：

• 最重要的在于忠心，而非被认可。
• 隐秘的忠诚比公开的喝彩更珍贵。
• 持守爱与顺服的稳固基督徒生活，比任何聚光灯更能荣耀基督。
• 善终善始。持守忠心。让基督居于中心。

(5) 基督徒生命始于恩典，终于恩典

保罗以简洁的话语结束书信：“愿恩惠与你们同在。”基督徒生命的运行规律正是如此：恩典拯救我们，恩典扶持我们，恩典恢复我们，恩典差遣我们，恩典终将引领我们归家。

昔日改变提基库、俄尼西母、马可与路加的恩典，今日仍与你同行。

反思问题

(1) 在哪些方面我需要更重视福音群体而非自我依赖？
(2) 我生命中谁需要鼓励——或像马可那样需要被重建？
(3) 本周我如何深化祷告这隐秘的事工？
(4) 我是为忠心而活，还是为得人称赞而活？

祷告
亲爱的天父，感谢祢赐下拯救并扶持我的恩典。感谢祢在我身边安置的信徒——那些彼此激励、扶持、服侍的弟兄姐妹。求祢教导我珍视群体，像祢恢复马可那样施恩，像以巴弗那样忠心祷告，并以坚定不移的热忱跑完人生赛程。愿祢的恩典今日与我同在。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。