Who is the man referred to as, "Jesus, who is also called Justus"?
Colossians 4:1 - 18
MSG - 1 And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don't forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master - God in heaven. 2 Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
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Asked February 05 2017
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Sunny Cortez
Supporter
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Tim Maas
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As far as I am aware, all that we know about this man comes from a single verse (Colossians 4:11) in the passage in Colossians cited in the question. He was originally Jewish (since he was described by Paul as being "of the circumcision"). His given name was Jesus, which may imply that he was Greek (since Jesus was the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua), although he is, of course, not to be confused with Jesus Christ. The fact that the Bible indicates that he was "called" Justus (Latin for "upright" or "just"), rather than being "named" or "surnamed" Justus, may indicate that this was a title bestowed in recognition of a character trait, and/or to distinguish him from Jesus Christ. He is also not to be confused with Joseph Barsabbas, who was specifically noted as having been surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23), and who was one of the two men considered to take the place of Judas Iscariot; nor with the Titius Justus mentioned in Acts 18:7, who was a Gentile in Corinth whose house Paul used for preaching. He apparently remained faithful and of service to Paul during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, at a time when others "of the circumcision" had not. In Philemon 1:23-24, Paul mentions Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke (as he did in Colossians 4:10-14), but (for whatever reason) he does not repeat the reference that he made in Colossians to Jesus Justus.
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