Colossians4

Paul begins by instructing masters to treat servants justly, remembering their heavenly Master. He then urges continuous, watchful prayer, specifically requesting prayers for his gospel ministry while in bonds. Believers are exhorted to walk in wisdom towards outsiders and speak with grace. The chapter concludes with personal greetings from Paul's companions, instructions regarding messengers and other churches, and a final admonition to Archippus.
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Final Instruction to Masters

1
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. ​

Instructions on Prayer and Conduct

2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; ​
3
Withal 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: ​
4
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. ​
6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ​

Paul's Messengers and Ministry Team

7
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: ​
8
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. ​

Greetings from Paul's Companions

10
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) ​
11
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. ​
12
Epaphras, 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. ​
13
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. ​

Final Greetings and Closing Commands

15
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. ​
16
And 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. ​
17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. ​
18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. ​

Study Notes for Colossians 4

Verse 1

This verse concludes the 'Household Code' (3:18-4:1), reminding masters that their authority is limited by their own accountability to Christ, their 'Master in heaven.' Justice and fairness are required in all human relationships.

Verse 2

Paul shifts focus to general spiritual discipline, emphasizing persistence ('continue') and alertness ('watch') in prayer, which must always be framed by gratitude and thanksgiving.

Verse 3

Paul requests prayer specifically for his ministry—a 'door of utterance' refers to an opportunity to preach the gospel effectively, particularly while he is imprisoned.

Verse 5

To 'walk in wisdom toward them that are without' (unbelievers) requires prudence and integrity. 'Redeeming the time' means utilizing every opportunity wisely for evangelism and godly influence.

Verse 6

Speech should be 'with grace' (kind and beneficial) and 'seasoned with salt.' Salt implies purity, preservation, and flavor—making conversation wise, compelling, and appropriate for the audience.

Verse 7

Tychicus was the trusted courier for this letter and likely the Epistle to the Ephesians. His role was not just delivery but providing a full oral report of Paul’s status and comfort to the church.

Verse 9

Onesimus is the runaway slave central to the Epistle to Philemon. Paul sends him back to Colossae (his home city) as a 'faithful and beloved brother,' demonstrating the transforming power of the gospel on social hierarchies.

Verse 10

Aristarchus, a Macedonian, traveled with Paul (Acts 19:29). His designation as 'fellowprisoner' indicates he was imprisoned alongside Paul, perhaps voluntarily, during the writing of this letter.

Verse 11

These three (Aristarchus, Marcus, and Jesus Justus) were Jewish Christians ('of the circumcision'). Paul emphasizes that they were his only Jewish co-workers who remained a comfort to him in prison, suggesting others may have abandoned him.

Verse 12

Epaphras was likely the founder of the church in Colossae (1:7). His fervent, continuous prayer for the Colossians sought their spiritual maturity, that they might 'stand perfect and complete' in obedience to God's will.

Verse 14

Luke, the author of the Gospel and Acts, is identified by his profession. Demas, mentioned here positively, later abandoned Paul during a time of persecution, illustrating the mixed loyalties within the early church (2 Tim 4:10).

Verse 15

Nymphas (or possibly Nympha, a female leader) hosted a house church, highlighting that early Christian worship often occurred in private homes due to a lack of dedicated buildings.

Verse 16

This command confirms the early practice of circulating apostolic letters as authoritative scripture. The 'epistle from Laodicea' is generally considered a lost letter or possibly the Epistle to the Ephesians, which may have circulated widely.

Verse 17

Archippus is also addressed in Philemon 2. This public instruction suggests he held a specific, perhaps challenging, ministry role in the Colossian or nearby Laodicean church that required encouragement or correction to fulfill his calling.

Verse 18

The signature ('by the hand of me Paul') authenticates the letter, as Paul often used an amanuensis (secretary) for the main body. The final request, 'Remember my bonds,' elicits sympathy and emphasizes the urgency of the message written from prison.

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