Philemon 1:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

NIV: And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

NASB: as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

CSB: Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.

NLT: So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

KJV: Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

NKJV: as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

Paul mentioned one of his companions in verse 23: Epaphras. Here, he refers to four others: Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. These men were not imprisoned like Paul and Epaphras, but were in Rome to help Paul with his ministry.

The "Mark" mentioned here is John Mark, a Christian related to Barnabas. The early church met in his mother's home in Jerusalem (Acts 12). Mark later joined Paul and Barnabas but left during the trip. Paul and Barnabas later parted ways because Paul did not want to take Mark on another mission trip. Barnabas and Mark instead left for Cyprus. Mark was also mentioned in Colossians 4:10 and is also seen with Peter in 1 Peter 5:13 (likely in Rome) and 2 Timothy 4:11 (somewhere outside of Rome). At that point, Paul and Mark had reconciled and served together again.

Aristarchus had traveled with Paul in the past (Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4) and was mentioned as a fellow prisoner with Paul in Rome in Colossians 4:10.

Demas was also mentioned alongside Luke in Colossians 4:14. Unfortunately, according to 2 Timothy 4:10, he later abandoned Paul.

Luke is the author of the book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. He worked as a missionary with Paul, and was with him in Rome during his imprisonment. It is significant that Mark and Luke were together during this time. Both of their gospels were likely written close to this time, with both writers in Rome. This suggests a date for both gospels prior to the first half of the AD 60s.

Philemon 1:23–25 closes Paul’s letter to Philemon. After asking Philemon to forgive and free the runaway slave Onesimus, Paul sends greetings from five of his companions: Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. All of these men are referred to in other scriptures written by Paul. Mark and Luke are the authors of those gospels. According to 2 Timothy 4:10, however, Demas eventually dropped out of his ministry work.

Philemon is a letter from Paul, regarding a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul respectfully requests that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, free him, and allow him to serve Christ without restrictions. Philemon was a prominent figure in the church of Colossae. Paul goes so far as to ask Philemon to charge any debts owed by Onesimus to Paul himself.

Philemon is short enough that it only contains a single chapter. Because Paul knows Philemon personally, and has only positive things to say about him, there is no need for a lengthy discussion. Paul appeals to Philemon to forgive and release his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus, a convert to Christianity, seems be the one sent to deliver this letter to his former master.

Philemon is one of the shorter books in the Bible, but it contains some important information. The Christian concept of slavery cannot be understood without a proper review of this letter. Paul recognizes the facts of slavery in his era, and does not command Philemon to release Onesimus. However, he does appeal to the unity we share in Christ as a reason for Philemon to set this man free.