Colossians 4:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

NIV: Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

NASB: Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and Demas does also.

CSB: Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

NLT: Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.

KJV: Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

NKJV: Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Two additional Gentile Christians are mentioned as Paul's companions and friends in this verse. First is "Luke the beloved physician." This is the same Luke who authored the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. At the time this letter was written, he is primarily known as a medical doctor and traveling companion of Paul. Luke is mentioned as a co-worker during many of Paul's travels recorded in Acts.

Second, Paul mentions a man named Demas. Both Luke and Demas are part of the Christian companions mentioned here, and in Philemon 1:24. However, unlike Luke, Demas would later desert Paul. Second Timothy 4:10 notes, "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." That sad report would be written during Paul's second imprisonment, which occurred just a few years after this letter to the Colossians was written.

These two men—Luke and Demas—provide a stark contrast between those who serve Christ and endure well till the end, and those who do not.

Colossians 4:7–18 ends Paul's letter to the believers at Colossae in his typical fashion. Most of Paul's letters begin with an introduction, transition from ideas into applications, and then end with general news and greetings. Here, Paul specifically mentions the town of Laodicea, which was about 12 miles away from Colossae. He also refers to several fellow Christians, some of whom are mentioned in other letters as well, including Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, and Luke.

The first verse of chapter 4 is actually the last thought from Paul's prior comments about bondservants and masters. After this, Paul gives the Christian perspective on conversation. The way believers speak has a large impact on the effectiveness of our message. Paul then ends his letter with news and messages between various Christian ministers. Among these are names which Paul mentions again in other letters, such as Tychicus, Epaphras, Archippus, and Onesimus.

Prior chapters in this letter established the supremacy of Christ, provided counters to false teaching, and gave instructions for Christian living. Chapter 4 completes these instructions with a general command regarding Christian conversation. Paul then ends the letter with news and comments related to various fellow Christian believers. This follows the general pattern for Paul's letters: introduction, theory, application, personal news and farewell.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.

Accessed 11/23/2024 5:24:16 AM