Colossians — Chapter 4
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1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
3as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
9With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
16After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
1Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
8whom I have sent you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts;
9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that [are done] here.
10Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
11and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only [are my] fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
13For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.
15Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.
16And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
1Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.
2Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
3At the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4Pray that I may make it known as I should.
5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.
6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
7Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8I sent him to you for this very purpose that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.
9I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).
11And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
13For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.
15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well.
17And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Summary
Paul closes the letter with instructions for masters to treat their servants fairly, since they too answer to a Master in heaven (v. 1), and urges the Colossians to persist in prayer, including prayer for his own gospel ministry while imprisoned, and to live wisely and speak graciously toward outsiders (vv. 2-6). He commends Tychicus and Onesimus, who will carry news and encouragement to the church (vv. 7-9), and passes along greetings from his coworkers Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus called Justus, followed by Epaphras, who prays earnestly that the Colossians would stand mature and fully assured in God's will (vv. 10-13). Luke and Demas also send greetings (v. 14), and Paul asks that the letter be shared with the church at Laodicea and read alongside a letter from there, while urging Archippus to complete the ministry entrusted to him (vv. 15-17). Paul signs off in his own hand, asking them to remember his imprisonment, and closes with a blessing of grace (v. 18).
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Laodicea (v.13, v.15, v.16): City in Asia Minor; one of the seven churches in Revelation.
Places on this map
- Laodiceanear Denizli, TurkeyA wealthy banking and textile city in the same valley, with one weakness: its water had to be piped in from miles away and arrived lukewarm, which is the image the letter to it uses. Wikipedia
- Asia MinorTurkeyThe peninsula between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, a high dry plateau ringed by mountains with the Greek cities on its western coast. Roman Asia, the province Paul worked from Ephesus, was only its western end. Wikipedia
Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik covers prayer, wise witness, gracious speech, and the personal greetings with their historical significance.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
- Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.
Videos
Articles
- GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Colossians -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.
Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.
Reflection
- Continuing Steadfastly in Prayer (v.2) — Paul calls believers to devote themselves to prayer with watchfulness and thanksgiving, not treat it as an occasional emergency measure. Is prayer a steady rhythm in your life, or something you reach for only when things go wrong?
- Walking Wisely Toward Outsiders (v.5) — Believers are told to act wisely toward those outside the faith, making the most of every opportunity. How do the people around you who don't yet follow Christ actually experience you — wise and inviting, or careless and off-putting?
- Speech Seasoned With Grace (v.6) — Paul wants conversation that is always gracious and seasoned with salt, so believers know how to respond well to anyone. Where does your everyday speech need more grace or more substance?
- A Second Chance for Mark (v.10) — Paul commends Mark, a man once rejected as unreliable but now restored to trusted ministry. Is there someone you've written off after a failure who deserves the same kind of second chance you've been given?
- Fulfilling the Ministry You've Received (v.17) — Archippus is urged to pay close attention and complete the ministry entrusted to him in the Lord. What has God called you to, and are you giving it the attention it deserves or letting it slide?