Colossians 4 · Verse 11

Colossians 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.
Colossians 4:11, King James Version

Colossians 4:11 in other translations

BSBJesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
WEBand Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
ASVand Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.
YLTand Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are fellow-workers for the reign of God who did become a comfort to me.
DARBYand Jesus called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are the only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who have been a consolation to me.
BBEAnd Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.
WebsterAnd Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers to the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.

What does Colossians 4:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. Justus--that is, righteous; a common name among the Jews; Hebrew, "tzadik" (Ac 1:23). of the circumcision--This implies that Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Col 4:12, 14) were not of the circumcision. This agrees with Luke's Gentile name (the same as Lucanus), and the Gentile aspect of his Gospel. These only, &c.--namely, of the Jews. For the Jewish teachers were generally opposed to the apostle of the Gentiles (Php 1:15). Epaphras, &c., were also fellow laborers, but Gentiles. unto--that is, in promoting the Gospel kingdom. which have been--Greek, "which have been made," or "have become," that is, inasmuch as they have become a comfort to me. The Greek implies comfort in forensic dangers; a different Greek word expresses comfort in domestic affliction [Bengel].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 11. And Jesus which is called Justus. The name Jesus was probably that which he bore among the Jews. Justus is a Roman name, and was probably that by which he was known among the Romans. It was not uncommon thus to assume another name when one went among a foreign people. Comp. Acts 13:9.

Who are of the circumcision. Jews, or Jewish Christians. Nothing more is knows of Justus.

These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God. The word "only," here, probably refers to the fact that they only of all the Jews Who were at Rome assisted Paul in his work. Epaphras and Luke were also with him at Rome, and doubtless aided him.

Which have been a comfort unto me. The more so because they were Jews. The other Jews in Rome stood aloof, and doubtless endeavoured to augment the trials of the apostle. Comp. Acts 28:23-29.

(&) "fellow-workers" "Labourers"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 Jesus, which is called Justus - Jesus, Joshua, or Jehoshua, was his name among his countrymen the Jews; Justus was the name which he bore among the Greeks and Romans. These only - That is, only Aristarchus, Marcus, and Jesus Justus, who were formerly Jews or proselytes; for οἱ οντες εκ περιτομης, they were of the circumcision, and assisted the apostle in preaching the Gospel. There were others who did preach Christianity, but they did it from envy and strife, in order to add affliction to the apostle's bonds. It is evident, therefore, that St. Peter was not now at Rome, else he certainly would have been mentioned in this list; for we cannot suppose that he was in the list of those who preached Christ in an exceptionable way, and from impure and unholy motives: indeed, there is no evidence that St. Peter ever saw Rome. And as it cannot be proved that he ever was bishop or pope of that city, the keystone of the triumphal arch of the pope of Rome is pulled out; this building, therefore, of his supremacy, cannot stand.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 4:10-18

Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his…

Read the full comment on Colossians 4:10-18 →

Colossians 4:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiand alsoG2532
ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
ὁhowhoG3588
λεγόμενοςlegomenosis being namedG3004
Ἰοῦστος,IoustosJustus,G2459
οἱhoithoseG3588
ὄντεςontesbeingG1510
ἐκekamongG1537
περιτομῆς,peritomēs[the] circumcisionG4061
οὗτοιhoutoitheseG3778
μόνοιmonoionlyG3441
συνεργοὶsunergoifellow workersG4904
εἰςeisforG1519
τὴνtēntheG3588
βασιλείανbasileiankingdomG932
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316
οἵτινεςoitineswhoG3748
ἐγενήθησάνegenēthēsanhave beenG1096
μοιmoito meG3165
παρηγορία.¶parēgoriaa comfort.G3931

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 4:11

  • Acts 11:2

    And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

  • Titus 1:10

    For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

  • Philemon 1:1

    Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

  • Romans 4:12

    And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

  • 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

    Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

  • Colossians 4:7

    All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Philemon 1:24

    Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

  • Acts 10:45

    And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

    Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. …

  • Philippians 4:3

    And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
who.
Ac 10:45; 11:2; Ro 4:12; Ga 2:7,8; Eph 2:11; Tit 1:10
fellow-workers.
7; 1Co 3:5-9; 2Co 6:1; Php 4:3; 1Th 3:2; Phm 1:1,24
a comfort.
2Co 7:6,7; 1Th 3:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 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;)

  • Colossians 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.

  • Colossians 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.

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y Jesús, el que se llama Justo; los cuales son de la circuncisión: éstos solos son los que me ayudan en el reino de Dios, y me han sido consuelo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et Jésus appelé Juste, – qui sont de la circoncision. Ceux-ci sont les seuls compagnons d’œuvre pour le royaume de Dieu qui aussi m’ont été en consolation.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und Jesus, genannt Justus, die aus der Beschneidung sind. Diese allein sind Mitarbeiter am Reiche Gottes, die mir ein Trost gewesen sind.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et Jesus, qui dicitur Justus: qui sunt ex circumcisione: hi soli sunt adjutores mei in regno Dei, qui mihi fuerunt solatio.