Colossians 4
4
1Masters, # Col 3:22 supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
Speaking to God and Others
2Devote yourselves # Rm 12:12 to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door # Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12 to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah, # 1Co 2:7; Eph 3:4; 5:2 for which I am in prison, # Ac 27:2; 28:16,30; Eph 6:18-20 4so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak. 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. # Eph 5:15-17 6Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, # Mk 9:50; Lk 14:34 so that you may know how you should answer each person. # 1Pt 3:15
Christian Greetings
7Tychicus, # Ac 20:4; Ti 3:12 our dearly loved brother, faithful # Nm 23:19 servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are # Other mss read that he may know how you are and so that he may encourage # Lk 16:25 your hearts. # Eph 6:21-22; Col 2:2 9He is with Onesimus, # Phm 10,16 a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, # Phm 24 Barnabas’s # Ac 4:36 cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, # Col 1:7; Phm 23 who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending # Jd 3 for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured # Other mss read and complete in everything God wills. # Gl 1:4; Eph 1:9 13For I testify about him that he works hard # Other mss read he has a great zeal # Jd 3 for you, for those in Laodicea, # Col 2:1 and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas # 2Tm 4:10 greet you. 15Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. # Ac 12:12; Rm 16:5 16When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17And tell Archippus, # Phm 2 “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.” # 2Tm 4:5
18This greeting is in my own hand — Paul. Remember my imprisonment. # Php 1:7 Grace be with you. # Other mss add Amen. # 1Tm 6:21; 2Tm 4:22; Ti 3:15
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© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Colossians 4
4
1 MASTERS, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven. [Lev. 25:43, 53.]
2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison;
4 That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.
5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.
6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].
7 Tychicus will give you full information about my affairs; [he is] a much-loved brother and faithful ministering assistant and fellow servant [with us] in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are faring and that he may comfort and cheer and encourage your hearts.
9 And with [him is] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of yourselves. They will let you know everything that has taken place here [in Rome].
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner wishes to be remembered to you, as does Mark the relative of Barnabas. You received instructions concerning him; if he comes to you give him a [hearty] welcome.
11 And [greetings also from] Jesus, who is called Justus. These [Hebrew Christians] alone of the circumcision are among my fellow workers for [the extension of] God's kingdom, and they have proved a relief and a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.
13 For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas salute you.
15 Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the assembly (the church) which meets in her house.
16 And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully [the duties of] the ministry and fulfill the stewardship which you have received in the Lord.
18 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God's unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).
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