“And Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.”

David had his “mighty men.” In this chapter, we find Paul’s mighty men.

“And Jesus who is called Justus”

This verse is the only occurrence of this person in the New Testament. “Jesus” is the Greek name for the Hebrew Joshua. “Jesus” was a common name among Jews of the first century.

It may be that this Jesus was called “Justus” in deference to Jesus, the Lord. Justus means “righteous.” Justus was also a common name (Acts 1:23; 18:7).

Paul does not disclose this man’s service. However, in the following phrase, he calls him a “fellow worker.”

“These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision”

Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were Jews. Aristarchus, a fellow servant, a fellow prisoner; Justus, a fellow worker; and Mark, were fellow Christian Jews advancing the kingdom of God with Paul. 

“they have proved to be a comfort to me”

Friendship in ministry is one of the great side benefits of kingdom work. These colleagues were a source of great comfort to the apostle Paul. This comfort came to him through their loyalty under times of duress.

The Greek for “comfort” here is the only occurrence in the New Testament. It is a medical term meaning the comfort that relieves both mind and body. The word here means to kill pain or alleviate pain in suffering. Some believers are a pain in the neck. Others relieve pain.

Principle:

God expects us to alleviate pain in others.

Application:

We cannot relieve the sufferings of others if we are legalistic. Pseudo-spirituality always causes pain. If people tie us up in knots, we will not refresh other people spiritually. Those who have illusions about themselves cannot bless others. They think that others cannot get along without them.

Neither can the Christian who runs around trying to impress others bless people. They sometimes intrude into the private affairs of others. They are antagonistic toward us because we are such jerks. That is why they are down on us.

Do we comfort people, or are we a headache to them?