1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
The healing of a woman bent over with a sickness for eighteen years was pronounced with the words, "'Woman, you are freed from your sickness'" (Luke 13:12 NAU). Jesus used the word apoluo, which means to be released or set free, because her sickness was "caused by a spirit" (v. 6). She was restored to physical health when she was released from her bondage to satanic power. This is one of many accounts that are found only in Luke's Gospel. In addition to some eighteen to twenty parables that are unique to Luke, he is the only writer to mention the following: how certain events in the life of Christ were related to secular history (2:1, 2; 3:1); the circumcision and presentation of Jesus in the temple (2:1-38); John's replies to his questioners (3:10-14); that Jesus prayed all night before calling the disciples (6:12-16); Jesus' pronouncement of woe to the rich (6:24-26); the physical need of the people for lodging (9:10-17); the attempt of the Pharisees to quiet the praises of the crowd (19:28-44); and that an angel ministered to Jesus in Gethsemane (22:39-53), to name but a few.
The unique material in Luke is best explained by observing several facts: First, Luke was an historian. His was a compilation of accounts "handed down...by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses..." (Luke1:1-2). Second, the book of Luke was a Greek writing for a Gentile audience represented by Theophilus (1:3). Third, Luke was a physician (Col 4:14) with a particular interest in the humanity of Christ. Fourth, Luke was informed by Paul rather than by one of the Twelve. Fifth, Luke selected and arranged historical material from all that could have been said, and adapted it to his purpose in writing: The historical Jesus of oral tradition is the Son of God, the savior of all men, and worthy of universal worship. (For further reading, see Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, 126-236).