St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians closes with a deeply personal note: “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you” (Colossians 4:18, ESV). These final words carry layers of meaning that resonate across the centuries, reminding us of the power of perseverance, humility, and faithfulness in the service of God’s kingdom.
The Journey of the Letter
Imagine the moment when Tychicus and Onesimus took possession of Paul’s letter. The two men, faithful companions and messengers, were entrusted with carrying this sacred text over 1,200 miles from Rome to Colossae—a journey without the conveniences of modern transportation. The roads they traveled were fraught with dangers: weather, illness, thieves, and the physical toll of such a trek.
Did they realize the monumental task they were undertaking? Did they understand that the scroll they carried in their satchel, carefully protected from the elements, would one day be a source of guidance, encouragement, and instruction for millions? Could they have fathomed that their seemingly ordinary mission would ripple across centuries to impact countless lives, including yours and mine?
In our age of instant communication, it’s hard to grasp the painstaking effort involved in delivering a single message. Each letter from Paul was a labor of love, prayer, and conviction. It wasn’t simply a piece of correspondence; it was a lifeline, a testament to God’s work, and an eternal encouragement to the early Church.
Paul’s Request: “Remember My Chains”
Paul didn’t ask to be remembered for his eloquent words, his miraculous conversion, or the number of churches he planted. Instead, he asked to be remembered for his chains.
This request wasn’t about drawing attention to his suffering for its own sake. Rather, Paul wanted the Colossians—and us—to remember the cost of making the gospel fully known. His chains symbolized his willingness to share in Christ’s suffering, his commitment to the mission, and the ultimate price of discipleship.
How would you want to be remembered? For Paul, it was about faithfulness to God’s calling, no matter the cost. He wanted his legacy to point not to himself, but to Christ.
The Team Behind the Letter
Paul’s closing greetings in Colossians highlight the diverse team working alongside him: Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant; Onesimus, a once-enslaved man transformed by the gospel; Luke, the physician and writer of a Gospel; and others who each brought unique gifts and purposes to the mission.
This glimpse into Paul’s community reminds us of the body of Christ: a collective of individuals with different skills and callings, working together for a greater purpose. No one role was more important than another. Without the messenger, the letter wouldn’t arrive. Without the writer, there would be no message to send. Each person’s contribution mattered.
Lessons for Us Today
In today’s world, we may not deliver letters on foot across continents, but we are still entrusted with messages from God. Whether it’s a kind word, a small act of service, or a quiet moment of prayer, these seemingly insignificant tasks may carry eternal significance that we can’t yet see.
Like Tychicus and Onesimus, you may feel that your role is small or unnoticed. Yet, the ripple effects of your faithfulness can impact lives in ways you may never know. Paul’s letter to the Colossians wasn’t just for the Colossians. It was for us, too. And the same God who gave Paul his mission has given you a purpose, no matter how small it might seem.
You Living as God’s Messenger
What message has God entrusted to you? Are you living as His hands and feet in the world?
Sometimes, the hardest or smallest tasks have the greatest eternal significance. A simple smile, a word of encouragement, or a small act of obedience can be the seed for something much larger. You may never write a letter that changes a culture, but your words, actions, and life can be just as impactful today as Paul’s were to the early church.
Paul’s letter was written with prayer, sealed with love, and delivered with faithfulness. In the same way, your life is a letter from God, sent to the people around you. Let it be a testament to His grace, love, and truth.
How Will You Be Remembered?
As you reflect on Paul’s words—“Remember my chains. Grace be with you”—ask yourself: How do you want to be remembered? For what you’ve accomplished or for the way you’ve served? For your own glory or for God’s?
The legacy you leave is built not on the size of your actions, but on the faithfulness with which you carry them out. Be encouraged to take the next step in your journey, trusting that even the smallest acts done for God can have eternal significance. Like Paul, Tychicus, and Onesimus, may we all be faithful messengers of His grace.