To commend Epaphras to the Colossians and secure to him their heart, Paul bears a strong testimony to his fidelity and goodness.
1. Paul knew how very important it is that churches should have a good opinion of their pastors; and with what artifices the enemy labours to ruin their reputation among their flocks; on this account he here exalts Epaphras as his piety deserved; and, to remove from the Colossians all suspicion against the purity of his teachings, expressly assures them that the doctrine which they had learned of him was the same gospel of which he had spoken.
2. And from this anxiety of the apostle ministers should learn the necessity of insuring the esteem of their people; abstaining not from evil only, but also from its appearances. It is not enough to obtain the approval of our own conscience, we should also be prepared to satisfy the judgment of our neighbours. Innocence is necessary for ourselves, and reputation for others.
3. And since it serves to edify them, we are evidently bound to preserve, not only our own, but also the reputation of our brethren. Who does not see that if we bite and rend one another, the disgraceful conduct of individuals will involve us all in one common infamy and ruin?
4. And see also that as the reputation of pastors is a public good, each believer owes it a peculiar respect, and that the crime of those who unjustly violate it is a kind of sacrilege. It is robbing the Church, stealing from it its means of edification. To return to Epaphras; the apostle calls him--
I. His “Dear Fellow-Servant.” Admire--
1. His ingenuousness; for whereas there is commonly a jealousy between persons of the same profession, St. Paul acknowledges and exalts the gifts and piety of this servant of God.
2. His kindness; for he loves him, and shows that of all men there were none whom he more tenderly esteemed than the faithful ministers of the gospel.
3. His humility; in that being raised to the throne of apostolic dignity, the highest in the Church, he makes Epaphras, as it were, to sit there with him, owning him for his fellow.
II. A “Minister of Christ.” It was much to be fellow-servant with St. Paul, but it is much more to be the minister of Christ, the Head of the Church.
III. A “Faithful Minister.” the apellation of minister was his in common with many others, the praise of faithfulness with few. It is all that the apostle required in a good steward of the house of God (1Co_4:1-2). To have this praise the minister of God must--
1. Seek the glory of his Master, and not his own.
2. He must keep close to his orders; not parsimoniously concealing from his sheep any of the things committed to him for their edification; and without setting before them anything of his own invention beyond, or contrary to, the will of the chief Shepherd.
IV. A faithful minister of Christ for you. They ought therefore to love him both for the dignity of his office, and for the profit that thereby came to them. For though we are bound to love and respect all the faithful servants of God in general, yet, doubtless, we owe them particular affection and reverence who specially consecrate their ministry to our edification. (J. Daille.)
The praise of service
It is a beautiful though a faint image which shines out on us from these fragmentary notices of this Colossian Epaphras--a true Christian bishop, who had come all the long way from his quiet valley in the depths of Asia Minor to get guidance about his flock from the great apostle, and who bore them on his heart day and night, and prayed much for them while so far away from them. How strange the fortune which has made his name and his solicitudes and prayers immortal! How little he dreamed that such embalming was to be given to his little services, and that they were to be crowned with such exuberant praise! The smallest work done for Jesus Christ lasts for ever, whether it abide in men’s memories or no. Let us ever live as those who, like painters in fresco, have with swift hand to draw lines and lay on colours which will never fade; and let us by humble faith and holy life earn such a character from Paul’s Master. The Master’s “well done” will out-weigh labours and toils, and the depreciating tongues of fellow-servants, or of the Master’s enemies. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
A faithful minister of Christ
I. The characteristics of a faithful minister of Christ.
1. A sincere and manifest attachment to our Lord and Saviour.
2. He receives his doctrines and his views of truth from the pure fountain of Divine revelation. Moses was ordered to make all things according to the pattern shown him on the mount; and every faithful minister of Christ is extremely cautious that everything he delivers corresponds with the rule laid down by his Master. He makes the Scriptures his guide--the Holy Word of God his instructor.
3. While he knows the truth, he without reserve honestly delivers the Lord’s message. Jeremiah was commanded by God to deliver all the message which the Lord gave him, and not to be afraid of man. He will not hesitate to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, and will be equally faithful in comforting and strengthening believers--in showing to them their privileges, and the great mercy bestowed upon them through their covenant-head.
4. While he preaches a whole gospel, giving to saints and sinners their portion in due season, he is willing, and does suffer, if need be, for righteousness’ sake.
5. Perseverance to the end:“Be thou faithful,” etc.
II. Such a minister is a great blessing to the people to whom he is sent by God.
1. Because he leads them from the greatest of misery to the greatest of blessedness.
(1) He conducts them from sin, impenitence, self-righteousness, and unbelief; and the man who does this is our true friend.
(2) He leads us to the enjoyment of the most distinguished favours, into green pastures--a state of favour with God, of union with Jesus Christ, of holy communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, upon earth, and a state of happiness when we die, enabling us to rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
2. Inasmuch as he brings to their knowledge those holy and exalted truths that fortifiy a man for the sufferings of time and the hour of death.
3. Inasmuch as by opening to them the gospel, he presents them with--what?--ah! with what philosophy cannot do--with what the reason of man cannot unfold--with what science can never explore--with what all the pride of learning can never bring to light:--he brings life and immortality to their view.
III. God will put honour on a faithful ministry.
1. By the witness of the Spirit in the minister’s own soul.
2. Where the gospel is fully preached God is generally pleased to add the seal of His approbation to it by means of the talents of His minister.
3. The Lord puts honour on His faithful ministers, both in the Church and in the world.
4. The faithful minister of God will be honoured at the day of judgment, when his Master shall say to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” etc., not Well done, learned, zealous, eloquent, successful servant.
Conclusion--
1. A faithful minister of Jesus Christ is the gift of God.
2. When a faithful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ dies he goes to give in His account.
3. If the faithful minister goes at death to give an account to his Lord and Master, then the congregation he leaves behind ought to reflect and think what account he will give of them. (R. McAll, D. D.)
Ministerial responsibility
I am angry when I hear people talk about the “awful responsibility” of being a minister. People sometimes say to me, “I should think you would shudder when you stand up before your congregation.” I shudder? what should I shudder for? Do you shudder when you stand up before a garden of flowers? Do you shudder when you go into an orchard of fruit in October? Do you shudder when you stand up in the midst of all the richness and grandeur of nature? I shudder in your midst? “But the responsibility!” I have no responsibility. I am willing to do my duty; and what more is there than that? I will not stand for the consequences. I will do the best I can. I will say the best things I can every Sunday; I will bring the truth home to you, and I will do it in the spirit of love. Even when I say the severest things, it is because I am faithful to love. “But your care!” I have not a bit of care. I forget the sermon a great deal quicker than you do. “Your burden!” I have no burden. I take up the battle, and I lay the battle aside again as soon as it is over. And I shall sleep to night as sweetly as any man that is here. And every man that is in the ministry, and is willing to love men, and to be faithful to them, will find joy in it from day to day. (H. W. Beecher.)
Ministers must be faithful
Adying nobleman once sent for the clergyman on whose ministry he had attended, and said to him, “Do you not know that my life has been licentious, and that I have violated the commandments of God? Yet you never warned me of my danger!” The clergyman was silent. When the nobleman repeated the question, he replied, “Yes, my lord, your manner of living was not unknown to me; but your kindness, and my fear of offending you, deterred me from reproving you.” “How cruel! how wicked” said thedying man. “The provision I made for you and your family ought to have induced care and fidelity. You have neglected to warn and instruct me, and now my soul will be lost.”
A picture of a faithful minister
Come in; I will show thee that which may be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door, the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hung up against the wall, and this was the fashion of it:--It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind his back, it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head. Then said Christian, What means this? Interpreter:The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget children (1Co_4:5), travail in birth with children (Gal_4:19), and nurse them himself when they are born (1Th_2:7). And, whereas thou seest him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips, it is to show thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners, even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men; and whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head, that is to show thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master’s service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. (Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.”)
