Colossians 4 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Colossians 4

4:1 Masters, treat your bondservants¹ justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant² in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 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. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers³ at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Footnotes

[1] 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
[2] 4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
[3] 4:15 Or brothers and sisters

Commentary

v1: All masters and leaders must be fair, and this includes church leaders, as well as landowners. We must treat others fairly. We are all accountable to God.

v2-6: Encouraging others to pray with thanksgiving

v2: Watch and pray;

vigilant to the wiles of the devil;
watchful for others;
thankful, see 2.7; 3.15.

Paul clearly wants to encourage a grateful attitude; all Christians should be grateful people, see 1.12.

v3-4: Pray for us; Paul is not too proud to ask for others to pray for him.

His request is that he might make the most of his opportunities for service and witness.

Paul also reminded them of his personal circumstances, "in chains". Whatever the circumstance, there is a duty to speak for Christ; Paul asks for a keenness to speak, even in difficult circumstances.

v5-6: A life of integrity before the world, showing that we belong to Christ.

Unbelievers can misinterpret our words or actions, since they cannot understand spiritual matters; we must therefore walk in wisdom, or circumspectly, Eph 5.15, and then we commend Christ to others.

Our words must be constantly with grace, having no harshness or bitterness. "Conversation" may refer to our whole lives; thus, a blameless conversation answers the ungodly, 1 Pet 3.15-16.

Since, for most of us, we spend most of our time in the workplace, this article has special resonance: Workplace Evangelism for the 99 Percent - Lausanne Movement

v7-15: Paul writes referring to his fellow workers, see also Philm 23-24; the letter to Philemon was written at the same time.

v7-8: Tychicus actually wrote down the letter, and delivered it to Colosse. He also returned to Colosse to find out what was going on (see margin), and to bring comfort and care, not criticism.

v9: Onesimus was the subject of the letter to Philemon.

v10-11: Mark was now restored, through Paul's firm discipline, Acts 15.38; 2 Tim 4.10-11. Mark is now part of Paul's 'apostolic' team, although his specific role is not mentioned. He would visit the churches to bring encouragement in some way. The NT does not prescribe how apostolic teams worked, but gives numerous examples of teamwork and service.

There were Christians of Jewish backgrounds, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus. Some anti-semitism has occurred in Christian churches. This verse indicates that that attitude is misplaced and inappropriate.

v12: Epaphras is commended as a man of prayer, Phil 2.25-30 also. The content of his prayer matches 1.28; "perfect" means mature and balanced.

v13-16: Other local churches were in Laodicea and Hierapolis; differences in Scripture manuscripts have suggested that the letter was sent to several churches in the area. It is also thought that the "letter from Laodicea" refers to Ephesians, rather than to another letter written specifically to Laodicea. Even so, it is clear that the churches in the area had some contact together, and probably supported each other to some extent.

v17: Archippus, a key leader, needed a special word of encouragement. He knew his ministry and calling, and he must now fulfil it.

v18: Paul's 'signature,' having dictated the letter to Tychicus.