Salute the brethren who are at Laodicea: and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
ασπασασθε τους εν λαοδικεια αδελφους και νυμφαν και την κατ οικον αυτου εκκλησιαν
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
See how he draws them together and binds them to one another. He not only sends them his greeting for this purpose, but also carries on correspondence with them. Then he also shows his disposition toward Nymphas by addressing him separately. He does this not without purpose, but to awaken emulation in others. It surely means something when someone is distinguished from others. Meanwhile, see how his words show that this was a notable man, since his house served as a church.
"Greet the brethren in Laodicea." See how he draws them together and binds them to one another. "And Nymphas, and the church in his house." This was a notable man, in whose house all were faithful. Therefore his house was called a church. Paul therefore shows his disposition toward him by greeting him separately. He also does this to move others to the same zeal, so that others might imitate Nymphas if they desire to be similarly honored.
He was, as it seems, among the faithful in Laodicea. Having adorned his house with piety, he turned it into a church.
"Nymphas and the church in his house." Clearly he was a citizen of Laodicea, in whose house Christians gathered for divine worship. According to the remark of blessed Theophylact, his own household, all of whom believed in Christ, was a church.
At the conclusion there first come the notices which the Apostle entrusts Tychicus and Onesimus to convey to the Colossians (Col 4:7-9). Then come greetings or salutations from Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica; Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, not the evangelist; Jesus called Justus, who had once been chosen as a candidate for the number of the twelve Apostles in place of the fallen Judas; Epaphras, the head of the Phrygian churches; Luke the physician, the evangelist; Demas, who later left Paul (2 Tim 4:10). A greeting is also sent to the brethren in Laodicea and to Nymphas the presbyter, with the church in his house (Col 4:10-15).
Then follow commissions and instructions. The Epistle to the Colossians is to be read also in the Laodicean church. The one from Laodicea is also to be read by the Colossians. Archippus, the head of the Colossian church after Epaphras, is to be given an apostolic reminder about zealous fulfillment of his pastoral duties (Col 4:16-17). Finally comes the concluding note in the Apostle Paul's own hand: Remember my bonds. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Among the Apostle's other fellow workers he mentions Luke the Evangelist and Demas. St. Luke was from Antioch. Having been converted to the faith by Jesus Christ Himself, and having been counted worthy to see Him on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, he gave himself with all zeal to the work of Christianity. He served it with all his rich gifts, as writer of the Gospel and the book of Acts, as physician, and as iconographer. Having met Paul in his homeland, he was then never separated from him until death, and he described many of his labors.
It is no wonder that the Apostle calls him beloved. Without doubt he was and remains beloved by all Christians who value his labors, both those accomplished during his life and those eternally active in his writings. He wrote them by the action of the Spirit of God, having diligently investigated all that he had seen and heard (Lk 1:1-2). One ancient interpreter says, Luke was beloved by St. Paul because, having left everything, he always followed this Apostle. The founding of the Church in Thebes of Boeotia is ascribed to Luke the Evangelist. There he died at eighty years of age. His memory is blessed on October 18.
Concerning Demas, the Apostle says nothing approving, since he probably saw nothing to approve. In the Second Epistle to Timothy, the Apostle writes that Demas had left him, having loved this present world (4:10).
Regarding the transmission of the greeting to the Laodiceans and to Nymphas, St. John Chrysostom observes: See how the Apostle brings them close and binds them to one another, not only by this kiss, but still more by afterwards commanding that the Epistle itself be sent to them for reading. Nymphas, one must suppose, was a presbyter who had taken the place of Epaphras. His whole household consisted of the faithful. Church assemblies were also held in his house, says Bishop Theophan.
On his own behalf the Apostle commands them to greet the Laodicean Christians, the neighbors of the Colossians, and especially the Laodicean Nymphas. In his house, κατ’ οικον αυτού, there was a church, or such a place for divine worship as there was in the house of Philemon (Phlm 1:2). The Apostle commands that his Epistle be sent for reading in Laodicea, which was threatened by the same danger from false teachers as the Colossian church. In turn, the Colossians must read the letter from Laodicea, την εκ Λαοδικείας.
By this last expression it is best to understand the Epistle to Philemon, and for the following reasons. Among the instructions relating to Laodicea, and in verse 17, the Apostle gives the Colossians an instruction concerning Archippus, who was related to Philemon (Phlm 1:2). Therefore Archippus and Philemon should be considered inhabitants of Laodicea. This is all the more likely because the Apostle would not have needed to address Archippus through the Colossians if Archippus himself had been a Colossian. If the mention of the letter from Laodicea brought Archippus, Philemon's relative, to the Apostle's mind, how else can this association be explained, unless we suppose that by this letter he means his own Epistle to Philemon?
For the Colossians, the Epistle to Philemon was indeed of the greatest interest. It concerned their fellow citizen Onesimus, who had formerly been enslaved to Philemon, and who now appeared in Colossae as a teacher of the faith. As for the instruction the Apostle gives the Colossians concerning Archippus, to remind him faithfully to fulfill the duty he had undertaken, it was probably occasioned by the appearance of false teachers. Then the Apostle writes a greeting to the Colossians in his own hand and urges them to remember his bonds, certainly so that they would not forget the Apostle in their prayers.
By conveying a kiss to the Laodiceans as brethren through the Colossians, the Apostle unites them in brotherly love. St. Chrysostom says, See how he brings them close and binds them to one another, not only by this kiss, but still more by afterwards commanding that the Epistle itself be sent to them for reading.
The relation of St. Paul to the Laodiceans, expressed in these words, shows that they were personally known to him, as was Nymphas. He does not mention the Hierapolitans either because he did not know them personally, or because they did not require special support in life or faith.
Nymphas, one must suppose, was the overseer of that Church, a presbyter who took the place of Epaphras during his absence. His whole household consisted of faithful people, who were also known to St. Paul. Church assemblies were certainly held in his house. St. Chrysostom says, St. Paul shows special affection for Nymphas by mentioning him separately. He does this not without purpose, but to awaken emulation in others. For it is no small thing that he is not placed in the rank with the others. See how great he shows this man to be, if his house was a church. Blessed Theodoret says, He probably adorned his own house with piety and made it into a church. Tradition has preserved nothing more about this Nymphas. Probably he served as priest there and reposed.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 13 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS