Read Colossians 4:7–13
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings.
Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus was identified as Paul’s “fellow prisoner” and also as
one of Paul’s “fellow workers” (Philem. v. 24). Aristarchus was from
Macedonia and was one of Paul’s traveling companions (Acts 19:29).
He was originally from Thessalonica (20:4) and had willingly risked
his life in the Ephesian riot (19:28–41). He sailed with Paul to Rome
(27:2), which meant that he also experienced the storm and shipwreck that Luke so graphically described in Acts 27.
Aristarchus stayed with Paul no matter what the circumstances
were—a riot in Ephesus, a voyage, a storm, or even a prison. It is
not likely that Aristarchus was an official Roman prisoner. “Fellow
prisoner” probably means that Aristarchus shared Paul’s confinement
with him so that he could be a help and comfort to the apostle. He
was a voluntary prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ and the gospel.
Paul could not have accomplished all that he did apart from the
assistance of his friends. Aristarchus stands out as one of the greatest
of Paul’s helpers. He did not look for an easy task. He did not run
when the going got tough. He suffered with Paul and labored with
Paul.
Something to Ponder
Who are some of the people you know who serve God faithfully yet
whose efforts frequently go unnoticed?