Colossians Chapter 4
From The Open Bible Project
4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
- (1) He adds certain general exhortations, and at length ends his epistle with various familiar and godly salutations.
- (2) Prayers must be continual and earnest.
4:3 praying 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;
- (3) Those who minister the word, must especially be entrusted to the prayers of the Church.
- (a) An open and free mouth to preach the Gospel.
4:4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
- (4) In all parts of our life, we ought to have good consideration even of those who are outside of the Church.
- (b) Advisedly and cautiously.
- (c) Seek occasion to win them, even though you lose something of your own by it.
4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
- (5) Our speech and talk must be applied to the profit of the hearers.
- (d) Fit for the profit of your neighbour.
- (e) Against this is set filthy communication, as in (Ephesians 4:29).
4:7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
4:9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
4:10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),
4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
- (f) Hence, Peter was not at that time in Rome.
- (g) In the Gospel.
4:12 Epaphras, 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.
4:13 For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
4:15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
4:16 When 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.
4:17 Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."
4:18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
