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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Colossians 4: AMPC
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
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 14:27 open to us a door for the word, #See Rom. 16:25 to 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. 3:16 be gracious, #See Mark 9:50 seasoned 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. 10 Onesimus, 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, 39 the 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 11:2 These 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. 23 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always #See Rom. 15:30 struggling 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 16:10 Luke 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. 2 Archippus, “See that you fulfill #2 Tim. 4:5the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, #See 1 Cor. 16:21 write this greeting with my own hand. #[Heb. 13:3] Remember #ver. 3; See Phil. 1:7 my chains. #1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22; [Titus 3:15]Grace be with you.
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