And Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me.
All Commentaries on Colossians 4:11 Go To Colossians 4
John Chrysostom
AD 407
This man was probably a Corinthian. Next, he bestows a common praise on all, having already spoken that of each one in particular; who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me. After having said, fellow-prisoner; in order that he may not therewith depress the soul of his hearers, see how by this expression he rouses them up. Fellow-workers, he says, unto the kingdom of God. So that being partakers of the trials, they become partakers of the kingdom. Who have been a comfort to me. He shows them to be great persons, seeing that to Paul they have been a comfort.
But let us see the wisdom of Paul. Walk in wisdom, he says, towards them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5 That is, the time is not yours, but theirs. Do not then wish to have your own way, but redeem the time. And he said not simply, Buy, but redeem, making it yours after another manner. For it were the part of excessive madness, to invent occasions of war and enmity. For over and above the undergoing of superfluous and profitless dangers, there is this additional harm, that the Greeks will not come over to us. For when you are among the brethren, reason is you should be bold; but when without, you ought not to be so.
Do you see how everywhere he speaks of those without, the Greeks? Wherefore also when writing to Timothy, he said, Moreover, he must have good testimony from them that are without. 1 Timothy 3:7 And again, For what have I to do with judging them that are without. 1 Corinthians 5:12 Walk in wisdom, he says, toward them that are without. For without, they are, even though they live in the same world with us, seeing they are without the kingdom, and the paternal mansion. And he comforts them withal, by calling the others without, as he said above, Your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
Then, he says, seek ye glory, then honors, then all those other things, but not so now, but give them up to those without. Next, lest you think that he is speaking of money, he adds, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer each one. That it may not be full of hypocrisy, for this is not grace, nor a seasoning with salt. For instance, if it be needful to pay court to any one without incurring danger, refuse not [to do so]; if the occasion require that thou discourse civilly, think not the doing so flattery, do everything that pertains to honor, so that piety be not injured. Do you see not how Daniel pays court to an impious man? Do you see not the three children, how wisely they bore themselves, showing both courage, and boldness in speaking, and yet nothing rash nor galling, for so it had not been boldness, but vainglory. That ye may know, he says, how ye ought to answer every man. For the ruler ought to be answered in one way, the ruled in another, the rich in one way, the poor in another. Wherefore? Because the souls of those who are rich, and in authority, are weaker, more inflammable, more fluctuating, so that towards them, one should use condescension; those of the poor, and the ruled, firmer and more intelligent, so that to these one should use greater boldness of speech; looking to one thing, their edification. Not that because one is rich, another poor, the former is to be honored more, the latter less, but because of his weakness, let the former be supported, the latter not so: for instance, when there is no cause for it, do not call the Greek polluted, nor be insulting; but if you be asked concerning his doctrine, answer that it is polluted, and impious; but when none asks you, nor forces you to speak, it becomes you not causelessly to challenge to you his enmity. For what need is there to prepare for yourself gratuitous hostilities? Again, if you are instructing any one; speak on the subject at present before you, otherwise be silent. If the speech be seasoned with salt, should it fall into a soul that is of loose texture, it will brace up its slackness; into one that is harsh, it will smooth its ruggedness. Let it be gracious, and so neither hard, nor yet weak, but let it have both sternness and pleasantness therewith. For if one be immoderately stern, he does more harm than good; and if he be immoderately complaisant, he gives more pain than pleasure, so that everywhere there ought to be moderation. Be not downcast, and sour visaged, for this is offensive; nor yet be wholly relaxed, for this is open to contempt and treading under foot; but, like the bee, culling the virtue of each, of the one its cheerfulness, of the other its gravity, keep clear of the fault. For if a physician deals not with all bodies alike, much more ought not a teacher. And yet better will the body bear unsuitable medicines, than the soul language; for instance, a Greek comes to you, and becomes your friend; discourse not at all with him on this subject, until he have become a close friend, and after he has become so, do it gradually.
See, when Paul also had come to Athens, how he discoursed with them. He said not, O polluted, and all-polluted; but what? You men of Athens, in all things I perceive that you are somewhat superstitious. Acts 17:22 Again, when to insult was needful, he refused not; but with great vehemency he said to Elymas, O full of all guile and all villainy, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness. For as to have insulted those had been senselessness, so not to have insulted this one had been softness. Again, are you brought unto a ruler on a matter of business, see that you render him the honors that are his due.
Ver. 9. They shall make known unto you, he says, all things that are done here. Why did you not come with them, says one? But what is, They shall make known unto you all things? My bonds, that is, and all the other things that detain me. I then, who pray to see them, who also send others, should not myself have remained behind, had not some great necessity detained me. And yet this is not the language of accusations— yes, of vehement accusation. For the assuring them that he had both fallen into trials, and was bearing them nobly, is the part of one who was confirming the fact, and lifting up again their souls.
