Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 4:14

"Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you." — Colossians 4:14 (ASV)

Luke and Demas are mentioned next; no descriptive phrase is used of Demas (cf. Phm 24; 2 Timothy 4:10). Of Luke, Paul says very little. Interestingly enough, however, much of what we know about him is derived from this casual reference. It is here that we learn that Luke was a physician, and the context (cf. v.11) suggests that he was a Gentile. The adjective “dear” confirms what is implied in Acts; namely, that Luke—assuming that he was author of Acts—was a trusted friend of Paul.