20160902 Friday, September 2 2016
Colossians 04: Why Did Others Write For Paul?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer ... Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant"

The apostle Paul (see Paul, The Apostle To The World) was the author of all of the epistles (see The Epistles: What Is An Epistle?) that are identified with Paul as the author. That is true whether he did the writing himself, or whether he dictated it to others who did the actual writing (just as Jesus Christ did to the apostle John for the "book" of Revelation; see Revelation: Thy Kingdom Come and Apocalypse Now).

The primary reason for that, in view of the fact that Paul was a highly-educated Pharisee would could read and write very well, is that prisoners, particularly political prisoners who were declaring that a "new world order" is surely coming (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach? and The Only Political Party That's Going To Survive; also The Patriotism Prophecy), while sometimes are allowed visitors, are not always allowed to have writing materials, or sufficient writing materials to write a lengthy epistle, because their words are their weapons (see also The Religion And Politics Of The Messiah's Assassination).

Some examples of when Paul wrote the entire letter "in his own hand," or just the opening "in his own hand," or had someone else record the words that Paul spoke for the written letter.

"16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand." (1 Corinthians 16:21 KJV)

"6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand." (Galatians 6:11 KJV)

"3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write." (2 Thessalonians 3:17 KJV)

"1:19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides." (Philemon 1:19 KJV)

"1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God ... 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ... 16:22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord." (Romans 1:1,7 16:22 KJV)

Some editions of the King James Version add historic notes at the end of Paul's epistles to provide detailed information about the writing of the epistle. The notes are shown in red.

"16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea." (Romans 16:27 KJV)

"16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. The first epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and Timotheus." (1 Corinthians 16:24 KJV)

"13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas." (2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV)

"6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus." (Ephesians 6:24 KJV)

"4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. To the Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus." (Philippians 4:23 KJV)

"4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus." (Colossians 4:18 KJV)

"4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time." (2 Timothy 4:22 KJV)

"1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant." (Philemon 1:25 KJV)

"13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen. Written to the Hebrews from Italy, by Timothy." (Hebrews 13:25 KJV)

Understanding the circumstances of how, when and where something was written can greatly enhance the understanding of what was written. While Bible "critics" ignorantly whine and snipe at Biblical realities that they have yet to take the time and heart to really see, the Holy Scriptures are rock-solid and true - written by people with a single Holy Spirit as their light (see Why Can't Light Be Hidden?).

Note how many "fellowservants" and "fellowworkers" that Paul acknowledged, just in his closing of his epistle to the Colossians - including a Greek man named Luke ("Luke, the beloved physician") who himself was later given to write a large portion of the Biblical record - Luke (see The Epistles: Luke) and Acts (see Acts: Luke's Second Letter To Theophilus) and a young man named Mark ("Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas") who wrote the book by his name (see Mark: Was It John Mark?).

"4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 4:13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus." (Colossians 4:1-18 KJV)

Fact Finder: What was the origin of the English-language word "grammar"?
See The Apostle Paul's Gramma