Colossians 4
4
1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
An Encouragement for Prayer
2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive#4:6 Greek and seasoned with salt. so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings
7Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11Jesus (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!
12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters#4:15 Greek brothers. at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
17And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”
18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
Remember my chains.
May God’s grace be with you.
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Colossians 4
4
1Masters, treat your bondservants#4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12 justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 # For ver. 2-4, see
Eph. 6:18-20
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it #ch. 2:7with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may #See Acts 14:27open to us a door for the word, #See Rom. 16:25to declare the mystery of Christ, #ver. 18; Eph. 6:20; See Phil. 1:7on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 # See
Eph. 5:15-17
Walk in wisdom toward #See Mark 4:11outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always #ch. 3:16be gracious, #See Mark 9:50seasoned with salt, #1 Pet. 3:15so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Final Greetings
7Tychicus will tell you #For ver. 7-9, see Eph. 6:21, 22all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant#4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9and with him #Philem. 10Onesimus, our faithful and #Philem. 16beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 #
Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24; [
Rom. 16:7
] Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark #See Acts 15:37, 39the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—#[2 Tim. 4:11]if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and Jesus who is called #[Acts 1:23; 18:7] Justus. #See Acts 11:2These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and #[Philem. 7]they have been a comfort to me. 12#ch. 1:7; Philem. 23Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always #See Rom. 15:30struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand #See Matt. 5:48mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14#2 Tim. 4:11; See Acts 16:10Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does #2 Tim. 4:10; Philem. 24Demas. 15Give my greetings to the brothers#4:15 Or brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and #See Rom. 16:5the church in her house. 16And when #1 Thess. 5:27this 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. 17And say to #Philem. 2Archippus, “See that you fulfill #2 Tim. 4:5the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, #See 1 Cor. 16:21write this greeting with my own hand. #[Heb. 13:3] Remember #ver. 3; See Phil. 1:7my chains. #1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22; [Titus 3:15]Grace be with you.
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