He states, “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here,” (Col 4:8-9). What stands out most is the phrase “encourage your hearts” because this presupposes a concern for Paul and other Christians and a desire for their well being.
Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. He tells us that he has been suffering in chapter one, as he states, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church…” (1:24). Following, in chapter two, he tells us of his struggle for them, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged,” (2:1-2). Paul had never even met these Christians, yet, desired that their hearts may be encouraged and that they know God more fully that he struggled in prayer for them, just as Epaphras did (Col 4:12).
Knowing all of this makes the statement in Colossians 4:8-9 even more remarkable. Paul struggled for them and he assumes they are struggling for him. The comfort he is referring to is one related to a concern for him. Paul sends men to tell of all that has taken place so they might be encouraged to see God at work and know that their brothers and sisters are standing firm in the faith. What love! Paul assumes they care for him because he knows that the commandment of God is, “whoever loves God must also love his brother,” (1 Jn. 4:21). Here we gain a glimpse of the love early Christians had for one another, even those they had never met, and the kind of love we ought to have for each other today.
In this text God asks us, “Do you identify with your spiritual family to the point where you are saddened when you see them struggle? Do you care enough for your brothers and sisters to struggle in prayer for them, even those you do not know? Do you rejoice in the faith of others? Are your desires his or are you focused on the things of the earth?” We can never rejoice in the faith and fruit of others until it is our desire to see it. And we will never experience the full joy of seeing it, until we have struggled in prayer for it. I pray this may convict you, as it has me, and challenge us all to love one another more and become completely identified with the body of Christ, our eternal family.