On people like Onesimus and Nympha (and being ordinary) // Colossians 4:7-18 // Trey Hayman

New City Church - Nashville

What do we do with the outro section of letters like Colossians, where a lot of names are listed, and we know very little about the people listed?

Who was Tychicus? Who was Nympha?

This section can feel like watching the end credits of a movie, but this text offers some beautiful insight into how the gospel played out in the early church, and how it affected all sorts of relationships.

Particularly, in this message we talk about Onesimus and Nympha and the church that met in her house. We discuss what it likely meant for Nympha to have a church in her home and how some have described her as perhaps "the most important early church leader you haven't heard of." We talk about men, women, slaves, free, Jews, and Gentiles in church leadership and the idolatry of fame and notoriety in today's day and age and how to embrace an ordinary life filled with love of God and neighbor.

Colossians 4:7-18 (ESV) 7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him nOnesimus, our faithful and obeloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called sJustus. tThese are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and athe church in her house. 16 And when bthis letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.