And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Colossians is a letter Paul wrote — most likely from prison — to a community of Christians in a city called Colossae, located in what is now western Turkey. Near the end, he passes along greetings from a small group of fellow workers. Among them is a man named Jesus Justus, who is otherwise completely unknown to history — he appears in Scripture for exactly one sentence. Paul notes that these few companions who share his Jewish background are the only ones from that community still working alongside him. And then he adds something quietly personal: they have proved a comfort to him. Behind all the theology and the mission, Paul is a human being in a difficult place who is grateful for the people who didn't leave.
Lord, thank you for the Jesus Justuses in my life — the ones who didn't fix anything but stayed anyway. Help me be that kind of presence for someone who needs it right now. Remind me that comfort is kingdom work too, and that staying is sometimes the bravest thing I can do. Amen.
Of all the things Paul could have said about Jesus Justus — gifted teacher, tireless worker, strategic thinker — he said this: he was a comfort. One sentence, one word that matters. We know nothing else about this man. He wrote no letters, led no churches we can trace, appears in no other record. He showed up for a tired, imprisoned missionary, made things a little more bearable, and then disappeared from history. That's his whole legacy. And Paul thought it was worth putting in writing. There is kingdom work that looks like preaching to crowds, and there is kingdom work that looks like showing up for one worn-out person and making them feel less alone. Both are real. You probably know someone right now who is carrying something heavy — a diagnosis they haven't told anyone about, a marriage that's slowly going quiet, an exhaustion that doesn't lift even after sleep. You don't have to fix it. Jesus Justus didn't fix anything. He just stayed. That turned out to be enough to mention in a letter that's still being read two thousand years later.
Paul describes these co-workers as a "comfort" — what do you think that actually looked like in a day-to-day sense for someone under house arrest in a foreign city?
Who in your own life has been a genuine comfort to you during a hard stretch? What specifically did they do that made the difference — and have you ever told them?
We often measure contribution to God's kingdom by visible impact: numbers, influence, platforms. How does a man like Jesus Justus — forgotten by history, remembered only as a "comfort" — challenge that way of measuring what matters?
Is there someone in your community doing quiet, unnoticed work — showing up, staying, being present — that rarely gets acknowledged? What would it mean to see and name that?
Who could you be a comfort to this week — not by solving their problem or offering advice, but simply by staying present with them in it?
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Matthew 9:37
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:3
That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
2 Timothy 1:14
Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2 Corinthians 7:6
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1 Corinthians 3:9
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Ephesians 2:11
Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
Philemon 1:1
and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me.
AMP
and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
ESV
and [also] Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.
NASB
Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
NIV
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.
NKJV
Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
NLT
and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God's kingdom. Don't think they haven't been a big help!
MSG