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Philemon 1:23-24
23 There salute [aspazomai] thee [se] Epaphras [Epaphras], my [mou] fellowprisoner [sunaichmalotos] in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous];
24 Marcus [Markos], Aristarchus [Aristarchos], Demas [Demas], Lucas [Loukas], my [mou] fellowlabourers [sunergos]. KJV-Interlinear
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. NASB
Epaphras means devoted. Aristarchus means best ruling. Marcus means shining. Demas means popular. Lucas means luminous or white.
There are several similar names mentioned in the books of Colossians and Philemon, namely:
Colossians:
Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Marcus, Jesus Justus, Epaphras, Lucas, and Demas.
Philemon:
Epaphras, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lucas.
Colossae was located in central-south Asia Minor (Greece), just south of Laodicea. Paul passed through Laodicea on his third journey through this area.
And although Epaphras and Demas are mentioned in Acts and 2 Tim., as departing from Paul for a time, they were with him throughout the time he was imprisoned.
Paul was surrounded by several dedicated individuals throughout his ministry. As indicated by their names, all of these individuals had varying personalities and skills.
The Christian does not come in a one-mold-fits-all pattern. If you can count the stars, then perhaps you can count the different personalities of Christians.
So, do not think that you must act in a certain fashion, or follow a certain pattern of life in order to be a good Christian. And even though these men (and women as we noted in verse two) were dedicated to Pauls teaching, they were more dedicated to the scriptures and their pursuit of their spiritual lives.
Nowhere is it written that you must wear black, or square hats, or wear a burka, or walk around looking down all of the time. In fact, some of the best athletes, scientists, musicians, mountain climbers, soldiers, moms and dads, etc., fit the Christian pattern quite easily.
The Christian pattern is what you think. What you think is what you are. What you look like or what you do in life is irrelevant.
These people were dedicated during the time of Pauls travels, during his imprisonment, and after his death. The circumstances of life made no difference to their pursuit of doctrine. And that is the way it should be with you.
No matter what crops up in life, no matter what bruises your ego, no matter what insults your beliefs, should never interfere with the pursuit of your objective of spiritual maturity.
Your spiritual life is your single most valuable possession that you will ever have. It presents you before the Lord unblemished and valuable and worthy of blessing, both now, and for all of eternity.
There is absolutely nothing else in life that you can do or possess, that will match your spiritual life. And more importantly, your spiritual life is available to you just as it is available to everyone who has or will ever live.
