Colossians 4
4
1And masters, treat your servants considerately. Be fair with them. Don’t forget for a minute that you, too, serve a Master—God in heaven.
Pray for Open Doors
2-4Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
5-6Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
7-9My good friend Tychicus will tell you all about me. He’s a trusted minister and companion in the service of the Master. I’ve sent him to you so that you would know how things are with us, and so he could encourage you in your faith. And I’ve sent Onesimus with him. Onesimus is one of you, and has become such a trusted and dear brother! Together they’ll bring you up-to-date on everything that has been going on here.
10-11Aristarchus, who is in jail here with me, sends greetings; also Mark, cousin of Barnabas (you received a letter regarding him; if he shows up, welcome him); and also Jesus, the one they call Justus. These are the only ones left from the old crowd who have stuck with me in working for God’s kingdom. Don’t think they haven’t been a big help!
12-13Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, good friend and physician, and Demas both send greetings.
15Say hello to our friends in Laodicea; also to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After this letter has been read to you, make sure it gets read also in Laodicea. And get the letter that went to Laodicea and have it read to you.
17And, oh, yes, tell Archippus, “Do your best in the job you received from the Master. Do your very best.”
18I’m signing off in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember to pray for me in this jail. Grace be with you.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Colossians 4
4
1Masters,#Eph. 6:9 give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2#Luke 18:1Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it #Col. 2:7with thanksgiving; 3#Eph. 6:19meanwhile praying also for us, that God would #1 Cor. 16:9open to us a door for the word, to speak #Eph. 3:3, 4; 6:19the mystery of Christ, #Eph. 6:20for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5#Eph. 5:15Walk in #(Matt. 10:16)wisdom toward those who are outside, #Eph. 5:16redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be #Eccl. 10:12with grace, #Mark 9:50seasoned with salt, #1 Pet. 3:15that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings
7#Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8#Eph. 6:22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9with #Philem. 10Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10#Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with #Acts 15:37; 2 Tim. 4:11Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12#Col. 1:7; Philem. 23Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always #Rom. 15:30laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand #Matt. 5:48; 1 Cor. 2:6perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14#2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24Luke the beloved physician and #2 Tim. 4:10Demas greet you. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and #Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19the church that is in his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16Now when #1 Thess. 5:27; 2 Thess. 3:14this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17And say to #Philem. 2Archippus, “Take heed to #1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18#1 Cor. 16:21; 2 Thess. 3:17This salutation by my own hand—Paul. #Heb. 13:3Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.