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What the Fathers say

Colossians 4:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Admirable! how great is the wisdom of Paul! Observe, he doth not put everything into his Epistles, but only things necessary and urgent. In the first place, being desirous of not drawing them out to a length; and secondly, to make his messenger more respected, by his having also somewhat to relate; thirdly, showing his own affection towards him; for he would not else have entrusted these communications to him. Then, there were things which ought not to be declared in writing. "The beloved brother," he saith. …

Homily on Colossians 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

And this testifies to Paul's wisdom. He includes in his epistles not everything, but only what is necessary and urgently needed — and this because, first, he did not want to make them too lengthy; second, so that the one departing with the epistle would also have something to relate; third, he shows how well disposed he himself is toward him, because otherwise he would not have entrusted him with such confidence. Finally, there was something that did not need to be declared in writing. …

Commentary on Colossians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Next, Paul tells them about some others. First, about those whom he is sending to them; and secondly, about those who are staying with him (v. 10). Paul is sending to them a representative, whom he now describes in three ways. First, as to love, saying, a beloved brother, that is, by the love of charity, which makes a person more precious than gold: "A man will be more precious than gold" (Is 13:12). …

Commentary on Colossians ↗