Luke, the beloved physician
Luke is identified as a physician, which highlights his profession and possibly his role in providing medical care to Paul and others in the early church. This detail underscores the diversity of backgrounds among early Christian leaders. Luke's profession as a physician may have influenced his detailed and orderly writing style, evident in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, both attributed to him. His close association with Paul is well-documented, as he accompanied Paul on several missionary journeys (Acts 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). Luke's presence with Paul during his imprisonments (2 Timothy 4:11) suggests a deep commitment to the apostle and the mission of the early church. His title as "beloved" indicates the high regard in which he was held by Paul and the early Christian community.

and Demas
Demas is mentioned here as a companion of Paul, sending greetings to the Colossian church. However, his later abandonment of Paul (2 Timothy 4:10) serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges and temptations faced by early Christians. Demas's departure is attributed to his love for the present world, highlighting the tension between spiritual commitment and worldly attractions. This contrast between his current mention and later actions provides a sobering reminder of the need for perseverance in faith. Demas's inclusion in this greeting suggests that, at this time, he was still actively involved in the ministry and fellowship with Paul.

send you greetings
The act of sending greetings was a common practice in ancient letters, serving to strengthen bonds between distant communities and individuals. In the context of the early church, such greetings were more than mere formalities; they were expressions of unity and shared faith among believers. This greeting from Luke and Demas to the Colossians reflects the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities, despite geographical distances. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships and encouraging one another in the faith, a theme prevalent throughout Paul's epistles (Romans 16:3-16; 1 Corinthians 16:19-20). The inclusion of greetings from fellow workers like Luke and Demas would have been a source of encouragement and affirmation for the Colossian believers.

1. Luke
Known as the beloved physician, Luke is the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He was a close companion of Paul and is noted for his detailed accounts of Jesus' life and the early church.

2. Demas
A fellow worker with Paul, Demas is mentioned in several of Paul's letters. However, later in 2 Timothy, Paul notes that Demas deserted him, having loved this present world.

3. Colossae
An ancient city in Asia Minor, Colossae was the recipient of Paul's letter to the Colossians. It was a significant center for early Christianity.

4. Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Colossians. He was imprisoned at the time of writing and often sent greetings from his companions to the churches.

5. The Early Church
The context of this letter is the early Christian community, which was growing and spreading throughout the Roman Empire despite facing various challenges and persecutions.The Importance of Faithful Companionship
Luke's consistent presence with Paul exemplifies the value of loyal and supportive relationships in ministry. Believers are encouraged to cultivate and maintain such relationships within their faith communities.

The Danger of Worldly Temptations
Demas's eventual desertion serves as a cautionary tale about the allure of worldly desires. Christians are reminded to guard their hearts and remain focused on their spiritual journey.

The Role of Encouragement in the Church
The greetings sent by Luke and Demas highlight the importance of encouragement and connection within the body of Christ. Believers should actively seek to uplift and support one another.

The Legacy of Service
Luke's contributions to the New Testament through his writings demonstrate the lasting impact of using one's gifts for God's glory. Christians are encouraged to identify and utilize their talents in service to the Lord.

Perseverance in Ministry
Despite challenges and setbacks, as seen in Paul's imprisonment and Demas's departure, the work of the Gospel continues. Believers are called to persevere in their ministry efforts, trusting in God's plan.(14) Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas.--Comp. Philemon 1:24. The original is even more emphatic, "Luke the physician, the beloved one." Demas, on the contrary, is barely named. It is impossible not to pass on in thought to the last notice of the two by St. Paul (2Timothy 4:10), "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. . . . only Luke is with me."

On the relation of St. Luke to St. Paul, see Introduction to the Acts. Here we need only remark that the emphatic mention of him as "the beloved physician" suggests the idea that it was both as physician and as friend that St. Luke, now, as in the last captivity, was with the Apostle. Though the captivity was not, according to ancient ideas, severe, it must have told upon his weak and shattered health.

Verse 14. - Luke the physician, the beloved, saluteth you (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). This reference to Luke's profession is extremely interesting. We gather from the use of the first person plural in Acts 16:10-17, and again from Acts 20:5 to the end of the narrative, that he joined St. Paul on his first voyage to Europe and was left behind at Philippi; and rejoined him six years after on the journey to Jerusalem which completed his third missionary circuit, continuing with him during his voyage to Rome and his imprisonment. This faithful friend attended him in his second captivity, and solaced his last hours; "Only Luke is with me" (2 Timothy 4:11). His being called "the physician" suggests that he ministered to the apostle in this capacity, especially as "his first appearance in St. Paul's company synchronizes with an attack of St. Paul's constitutional malady" (Lightfoot: comp. Acts 16:10 and Galatians 4:13-15; the illness referred to in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 and 2 Cor 4:7-5:8 may partly have led to Luke's rejoining St. Paul in Macedonia). St Luke's writings testify both to his medical knowledge and to his Pauline sympathies. His companionship probably gave a special colouring to the phraseology and cast of thought of St. Paul's later Epistles. (On the relations of St. Luke and St. Paul, see a valuable Paper by Dean Plumptre in the Expositor, first series, vol. 4. pp. 134-156.) "The beloved" is a distinct appellation, due partly to Luke's services to the apostle, but chiefly, one would suppose, to the amiable and gentle disposition of the writer of the third Gospel. It is not unlikely that he is "the brother" referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:18, 19. Lucas is a contraction for Lucanus; so that he was not the "Lucius" of Acts 13:1, nor, certainly, the "Lucius my kinsman" of Romans 16:21, who was a Jew. He was probably, like many physicians of that period, a freedman; and, since freedmen took the name of the house to which they had belonged, may have been, as Plumptre conjectures, connected with the family of the Roman philosopher Seneca and the poet Lucan. And Demas (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:10), who alone receives no word of commendation - a fact significant in view of the melancholy sentence pronounced upon him in 2 Timothy 4:10. His name is probably short for Demetrius.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Luke,
Λουκᾶς (Loukas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3065: Lucas, Luke, Christian physician and writer of the Third Gospel and Acts. Contracted from Latin Lucanus; Lucas, a Christian.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beloved
ἀγαπητὸς (agapētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 27: From agapao; beloved.

physician,
ἰατρὸς (iatros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2395: A physician. From iaomai; a physician.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Demas
Δημᾶς (Dēmas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1214: Demas, a helper of Paul in Rome. Probably for Demetrios; Demas, a Christian.

send you greetings.
Ἀσπάζεται (Aspazetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 782: To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome.


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NT Letters: Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet (Coloss. Col Co)