Colossians 4:11

“And Jesus, which is called Justus, etc.] The former of these names is the same with Joshua, and was very frequent with the Jews, and the later a surname that was sometimes given to men remarkable for holiness and righteousness: so Joseph, called Barsabas, is surnamed Justus, (<440123>Acts 1:23) and James, the brother of our Lord, was called by the Jews James the Just f61: whether this man was not the same with Justus of Corinth, whose house joined to the synagogue, and into which Paul entered, (<441807>Acts 18:7) is not certain, but is likely: who are of the circumcision; were Jews, were circumcised persons, though not now sticklers for circumcision, and the rest of the ceremonies, as…”

“Justus--that is, righteous; a common name among the Jews; Hebrew, "tzadik" (Act 1:23). of the circumcision--This implies that Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Col 4:12, Col 4:14) 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 (Phi 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;…”

“And Jesus, who 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; compare the notes at Acts 13:9. Who are of the circumcision - Jews, or Jewish Christians. Nothing more is known 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…”

“These - Three, Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus. Of all the circumcision - That is, of all my Jewish fellowlabourers. Are the only fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God - That is, in preaching the gospel. Who have been a comfort to me - What, then, can we expect? that all our fellowworkers should be a comfort to us? Colossians 4:12”

“4:11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) is mentioned only here in the New Testament. The surname Justus is included because Jesus (which means the Lord saves) was a common name among Jews in the first century.”

“who: Act 10:45, Act 11:2; Rom 4:12; Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8; Eph 2:11; Tit 1:10 fellowworkers: Col 4:7; Co1 3:5-9; Co2 6:1; Phi 4:3; Th1 3:2; Plm 1:1, Plm 1:24 a comfort: Co2 7:6, Co2 7:7; Th1 3:7 Colossians 4:12”