Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus. A companion of Paul from Thessalonica (Acts 27:2). He had shared with the apostle the experiences connected with the tumult at Ephesus (Acts 19:29).

When the apostolic delegation journeyed from Corinth to Jerusalem, Aristarchus probably carried the offering from Thessalonica to the mother church in Palestine (Acts 20:4). He also accompanied Paul at least part way on the apostle’s journey as a prisoner from Jerusalem to Rome (Acts 27:2). In Philemon 24 he is included among Paul’s “fellowlabourers.”

Fellowprisoner. Some have conjectured that Aristarchus had voluntarily decided to share the discomforts of Paul’s prison life, to minister to his needs, a practice which some allege the Romans allowed.

Sister’s son. Gr. anepsios, “cousin.” The translation “sister’s son” may reflect the Latin Vulgate rendering, consobrinus, which means specifically “sister’s son,” but also a relative in any degree. Or, the translators may have concluded that anepsios meant the same as the English word “nephew,” which is derived from anepsios through the Latin nepos.

Difference of opinion over John Mark once separated Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36-40). After the split, Barnabas, Mark’s cousin, took the lad under his care. “Under the blessing of God, and the wise training of Barnabas, he developed into a valuable worker” (AA 170). Paul happily acknowledged the great change and now accepted Mark as one of his “fellowlabourers” (Philemon 24; cf. 2 Tim. 4:11).