Among Paul's assistants at Rome were many of his former companions and fellow workers.Luke, "the beloved physician," who had attended him on the journey to Jerusalem, through the two years' imprisonment at Caesarea, and upon his perilous voyage to Rome, was with him still.
Timothy also ministered to his comfort.Tychicus, "a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord," stood nobly by the apostle.Demas and Mark were also with him.Aristarchus and Epaphras were his "fellow prisoners." Colossians 4:7-14.
Since the earlier years of his profession of faith, Mark's Christian experience had deepened.As he had studied more closely the life and death of Christ he had obtained clearer views of the Saviour's mission, its toils and conflicts.Reading in the scars in Christ's hands and feet the marks of His service for humanity, and the length to which self-abnegation leads to save the lost and perishing, Mark had become willing to follow the Master in the path of self-sacrifice.Now, sharing the lot of Paul the prisoner, he understood better than ever before that it is infinite gain to win Christ, infinite loss to win the world and lose the soul for whose redemption the blood of Christ was shed.In the face of severe trial and adversity, Mark continued steadfast, a wise and beloved helper of the apostle.
Demas, steadfast for a time, afterward forsook the cause of Christ.In referring to this, Paul wrote, "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." 2 Timothy 4:10.For worldly gain, Demas bartered every high and noble consideration.How shortsighted the exchange! Possessing only worldly wealth or honor, Demas was poor indeed, however much he might proudly call his own; while Mark, choosing to suffer for Christ's sake, possessed eternal riches, being accounted in heaven an heir of God and a joint heir with His Son.
Among those who gave their hearts to God through the labors of Paul in Rome was Onesimus, a pagan slave who had wronged his master, Philemon, a Christian believer in Colosse, and had escaped to Rome.In the kindness of his heart, Paul sought to relieve the poverty and distress of the wretched fugitive and then endeavored to shed the light of truth into his darkened mind.Onesimus listened to the words of life, confessed his sins, and was converted to the faith of Christ.
Onesimus endeared himself to Paul by his piety and sincerity, no less than by his tender care for the apostle's comfort, and his zeal in promoting the work of the gospel.Paul saw in him traits of character that would render him a useful helper in missionary labor, and he counseled him to return without delay to Philemon, beg his forgiveness, and plan for the future.The apostle promised to hold himself responsible for the sum of which Philemon had been robbed.Being about to dispatch Tychicus with letters to various churches in Asia Minor, he sent Onesimus with him.It was a severe test for this servant thus to deliver himself up to the master he had wronged; but he had been truly converted, and he did not turn aside from his duty.
Paul made Onesimus the bearer of a letter to Philemon, in which, with his usual tact and kindness, the apostle pleaded the cause of the repentant slave and expressed a desire to retain his services in the future.The letter began with an affectionate greeting to Philemon as a friend and fellow laborer:
"Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Ithank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." The apostle reminded Philemon that every good purpose and trait of character which he possessed was due to the grace of Christ; this alone made him different from the perverse and the sinful.The same grace could make the debased criminal a child of God and a useful laborer in the gospel.
