Colossians 4
4
1Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Prayer and Apostolic Spirit. 2Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;#Lk 18:1; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18–20; 1 Thes 5:17. 3at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,#Rom 15:30; 1 Cor 16:9; Eph 6:19; 2 Thes 3:1. 4that I may make it clear, as I must speak. 5Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.#Eph 5:15–16. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.
V. CONCLUSION#Paul concludes with greetings and information concerning various Christians known to the Colossians.
Tychicus and Onesimus. 7Tychicus,#Tychicus: Acts 20:4 mentions his role in the collection for Jerusalem; Eph 6:21 repeats what is said here; see also 2 Tm 4:12; Ti 3:12. my beloved brother, trustworthy minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news of me.#Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21–22; Phil 1:12. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, a trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.#Phlm 10–11.
From Paul’s Co-Workers. 10Aristarchus,#Aristarchus: a Thessalonian who was with Paul at Ephesus and Caesarea and on the voyage to Rome (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). Mark: also referred to at Phlm 24 and 2 Tm 4:11 and, as “John Mark,” in Acts (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:37–40). See also 1 Pt 5:13 and the note there. Traditionally the author of the second gospel. my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),#Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2 / Acts 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:37, 40; 2 Tm 4:11; Phlm 24; 1 Pt 5:13. 11and Jesus,#Jesus: a then common Jewish name, the Greek form of Joshua. who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras#Epaphras: see notes on Col 1:3–8 and Col 1:7. sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ [Jesus], always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.#1:7; Rom 15:30. 13For I can testify that he works very hard for you and for those in Laodicea#Laodicea: see note on Col 2:1. Hierapolis: a city northeast of Laodicea and northwest of Colossae. and those in Hierapolis. 14Luke#Luke: only here described as a medical doctor; cf. Phlm 24 and 2 Tm 4:11. Traditionally the author of the third gospel. Demas: cf. Phlm 24; he later deserted Paul (2 Tm 4:10). the beloved physician sends greetings, as does Demas.#Phlm 24; 2 Tm 4:10–11.
A Message for the Laodiceans. 15Give greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and to the church in her house.#Nympha and…her house: some manuscripts read a masculine for the house-church leader, “Nymphas and…his house.” 16And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea.#The one from Laodicea: either a letter by Paul that has been lost or the Letter to the Ephesians (cf. note on Eph 1:1 in Ephesus). 17And tell Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry#Fulfill the ministry: usually taken to mean that Archippus, the son of Philemon and Apphia (Phlm 1–2), is “pastor” at Colossae. An alternate interpretation is that Archippus, not Philemon, is the owner of the slave Onesimus and that Paul is asking Archippus to complete the service he has received in the Lord by sending Onesimus back to minister to Paul in his captivity (cf. Phlm 20). that you received in the Lord.”#Phlm 2.
18The greeting is in my own hand,#My own hand: a postscript in Paul’s own hand was his custom; cf. Gal 6:11–18 and 2 Thes 3:17–18. Paul’s. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.#1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Eph 3:1; 2 Thes 3:17.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Colossians 4
4
1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you yourselves have a master in heaven.
2Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word so we can preach the secret plan#4.3 Or mystery of Christ—which is why I’m in chains. 4Pray that I might be able to make it as clear as I ought to when I preach. 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.
Final greeting
7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will inform you about everything that has happened to me. 8This is why I sent him to you, so that you’ll know all about us and so he can encourage your hearts. 9I sent him with Onesimus, our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, says hello to you. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin (you received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him). 11Jesus, called Justus, also says hello. These are my only fellow workers for God’s kingdom who are Jewish converts. They have been an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. He’s a slave of Christ Jesus who always wrestles for you in prayers so that you will stand firm and be fully mature and complete in the entire will of God. 13I can vouch for him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas say hello.
15Say hello to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, along with Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16After this letter has been read to you publicly, make sure that the church in Laodicea reads it and that you read the one from Laodicea. 17And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry that you received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, am writing this greeting personally. Remember that I’m in prison. Grace be with you.
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