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, give what is good and fair to your servants. Remember that you have a Master in heaven.
Some Things to Do
2Never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being thankful. 3Also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. I am in prison for doing this. But pray that we can continue to tell people the secret truth that God has made known about Christ. 4Pray that I will say what is necessary to make this truth clear to everyone.
5Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. 6When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.
News About Those With Paul
7Tychicus is my dear brother in Christ. He is a faithful helper and he serves the Lord with me. He will tell you everything that is happening with me. 8That is why I am sending him. I want you to know how we are, and I am sending him to encourage you. 9I am sending him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother from your group. They will tell you everything that has happened here.
10Aristarchus, the one here in prison with me, sends you his greetings. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, also sends his greetings. (I have already told you what to do about Mark. If he comes, welcome him.) 11And greetings from Jesus, the one who is also called Justus. These are the only Jewish believers who work with me for God’s kingdom. They have been a great comfort to me.
12Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you. 13I know that he has worked hard for you and the people in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Greetings also from Demas and our dear friend Luke, the doctor.
15Give our greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. Greetings also to Nympha and to the church that meets in her house. 16After this letter is read to you, be sure it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And you read the letter that I wrote to them. 17Tell Archippus, “Be sure to do the work the Lord gave you.”
18Here’s my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. Remember me in prison. God’s grace be with you.
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