Colossians 4:10 is Paul passing along greetings from two people who are with him and who share his circumstances. Aristarchus and Mark send their regards to the church at Colossae, and Paul adds a note asking that Mark be welcomed warmly if he comes to them. The verse is a personal greeting near the close of a letter written by the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned at the time, and it is addressed to the Christians in Colossae.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”)…
Colossians 4:10 (WEB)
What Colossians 4:10 Means
The verse opens with Aristarchus, described as Paul’s “fellow prisoner.” This does not necessarily mean he was locked in the same cell. It more likely means he shared Paul’s imprisonment in some way, perhaps by suffering for the same cause or by being detained along with him. Paul sends his greeting through Aristarchus’s name, which tells you that these men were close partners in ministry and in hardship.
Next comes Mark, identified as the cousin of Barnabas. This is the John Mark associated with the early church’s mission work and later with the Gospel that bears his name. Paul’s parenthetical note refers to instructions the Colossians had previously received about Mark, asking them to “receive him” if he visited. The verse shows that Paul cared about relationships being restored and that he wanted the church to welcome someone who may once have been a source of tension.
What the verse does not do is give a broad promise or a teaching on doctrine. It is a practical note of greeting and recommendation, and it is best read that way. It shows how the early church kept in touch, sent people from place to place, and expected believers to extend hospitality to co-workers.
The Context of Colossians 4:10
The letter to the Colossians is traditionally attributed to Paul and was written to a church in Colossae, a city in the region of Phrygia in what is now western Turkey. Paul had not personally founded that congregation, but he cared deeply for its members and wrote to strengthen their faith against false teaching and to remind them of Christ’s supremacy. The letter was likely written while Paul was imprisoned, which is consistent with the mention of prisoners in this passage.
The surrounding verses give the greeting its setting. In verse 7 Paul says that Tychicus will report on his circumstances, and in verse 9 Onesimus is sent along with him. Verses 11 through 13 introduce other co-workers and Epaphras, who prays earnestly for the church. Read alongside these names, the verse becomes part of a larger picture of a close network of people who depended on one another, and it shows how Paul kept the believers informed and connected.
Key Phrases in Colossians 4:10
Acts 15:37-39
37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus…
(WEB)
This passage records the sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take Mark on a mission trip. Reading it alongside Colossians 4:10 shows how Mark’s story moved from an early falling out to a later restored partnership, which is part of why Paul’s request for a warm welcome carries weight.
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
(WEB)
In this later letter Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him because Mark is useful to him in ministry. It confirms that the relationship had been fully repaired and that Mark had become a trusted co-worker, which gives the earlier instruction in Colossians real encouragement.
A Short Prayer From Colossians 4:10
Lord, thank you for the people who have walked beside me through hard seasons and who have shared the cost of faithfulness. Help me to welcome others the way Paul asked the Colossians to welcome Mark, with open arms and a willingness to forgive. Give me a heart that is ready to restore relationships and to speak encouragement to those who serve you alongside me. Keep me faithful in the small acts of greeting and care that bind your people together. Amen.
