Colossians 4:8

8 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he might know your state, and that he might encourage your hearts:

Colossians 4:8 Meaning and Commentary

Colossians 4:8

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose
That is, to relate to them his affairs both temporal and spiritual; and also,

that he might know your estate.
The Arabic version renders it, "that I may know your estate" by him when he returned again; as whether they continued steadfast in the Gospel, and observed the order, ordinances, and discipline of it; how it prospered, and was succeeded among them, to their comfort and edification, and to the conversion of others; and what reception the false teachers had among them; and what love, concord, and harmony were among themselves; or what were their afflictions and distresses from their enemies. The Ethiopic version renders it, "that ye may know the history of me"; which agrees with a manuscript mentioned by Grotius, which reads, "that ye may know the things concerning us", as does the Alexandrian copy; and with ( Ephesians 6:22 ) where it is added, as here, and "comfort your hearts"; who might be greatly cast down upon hearing of the sufferings of the apostle, and also with those they themselves endured both from within and from without, from sin, Satan, and the world; see on Gill "Eph 6:22".

Colossians 4:8 In-Context

6 [Let] your word [be] always with grace, seasoned with salt, [so as] to know how ye ought to answer each one.

7 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-bondman in [the] Lord, will make known to you all that concerns me;

8 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he might know your state, and that he might encourage your hearts:

9 with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known to you everything here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow-captive salutes you, and Mark, Barnabas's cousin, concerning whom ye have received orders, (if he come to you, receive him,)