Colossians 4

1 Masters [lords, those in authority], supply [render, give, provide] your slaves [servants, bondservants] with what is right [just, fair] and fair [equal, equitable], since you know [are aware, perceive] that you also have a Master [Lord, God] in heaven [the spiritual realm]. word study 2 Devote [continue steadfastly, be instant in] yourselves to prayer [to God, in worship and supplication], being [watchfully, with diligence] watchful [alert, awake, and vigilant] and thankful [with gratitude, in thanksgiving, for the good things God does], word study 3 as you pray [to worship and ask of God] also for us, that God [the supreme Deity] may open [make accessible, unlock] to us a door [opportunity, entrance] for the word [message, revelation], so that we may proclaim [speak, declare] the mystery [hidden truth, secret] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], for which I am in chains [bound, imprisoned, because of my faith]. word study 4 Pray [ask God earnestly] that I may declare [make manifest, reveal clearly] it [the message of Christ] clearly [as it truly is], as [in the manner that] I should [it is necessary for me to, as is my duty]. word study 5 Act wisely [with spiritual understanding, in a prudent manner] toward outsiders [those who are without, outside the faith], redeeming [buying back, making the most of] the time [the right moment, every opportunity]. word study 6 Let your speech always [always with grace, in a gracious manner] be gracious [with kindness, generous], seasoned [powdered, mixed] with salt [to bring out flavor, preserve], so that you may know [perceive, understand] how [in what way, by what means] to answer [respond, reply] everyone [each one, individually]. word study 7 Tychicus [a faithful messenger] will tell you all [every aspect, the whole situation] the news about me [concerning my circumstances, my affairs]. He is a beloved [cherished, dearly loved] brother, a faithful [trustworthy, dependable] minister, and a fellow servant [co-worker, slave] in the Lord [under God’s authority, in Christ’s service]. word study 8 I have sent [to dispatch with a purpose] him to you for this very purpose [with a specific goal in mind], that you may know [be aware of, understand] about us [our circumstances, our state], and that he may encourage [comfort, strengthen] your hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions]. word study 9 With him I am sending Onesimus [a faithful and beloved brother, a trusted fellow believer], our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you [your fellow townsman, a member of your community]. They will tell you [make known, inform, explain] about everything [all things, the whole situation] here [in this place, at this time]. word study 10 My fellow prisoner [companion in captivity, one who is bound with me] Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark [a cousin, a relative] the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions [commandments, divine guidance] about him: If he comes [arrives, visits] to you, welcome [receive, embrace] him. word study 11 Jesus [also called Justus], who is called Justus, also sends greetings [to you, thinking fondly of you]. These are the only Jews [of the circumcision, Jewish believers] among my fellow workers [co-laborers, partners] for the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the one true deity], and they have been a comfort [consolation, encouragement] to me. word study 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a [faithful] servant [a slave] of Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the Anointed One], sends you greetings [saluteth you, says hello]. He is always [at all times] wrestling [striving, struggling] in prayer [communion with God] for you, so that you may stand [be firm, established] mature [complete, fully grown] and fully assured [complete, fulfilled] in the full [all, every aspect] will [desire, purpose] of God [the supreme deity, the Creator]. word study 13 For I testify [bear witness, give evidence] about him that he goes to great pains [has much labor, zeal] for you [on your behalf] and for those [the believers] at Laodicea [a city in Asia Minor] and Hierapolis [a city where Epaphras preached]. word study 14 Luke [the doctor, our well-loved medical friend], the beloved [cherished, dearly loved] physician [one who heals, a medical doctor], and Demas [a companion of St. Paul] send you [salute, greet, pay respects to] greetings. word study 15 Greet [pay respects to, welcome] the brothers [fellow Christians, male siblings] in Laodicea [a city in Asia Minor], as well as Nympha [a Christian woman, born of the nymphs] and the church [assembly, community of believers] that meets [gathered, convened] at her house [home, dwelling place]. word study 16 After this letter [epistle, a written message] has been read [known and understood] among you, make sure that it is also read [proclaimed publicly] in the church [assembly, a group of believers] of the Laodiceans [residents of Laodicea, a city in Asia Minor], and that you [as a community] in turn read [receive and meditate on] the letter [epistle, a message of instruction] from Laodicea [a city in Asia Minor, known for its wealthy residents]. word study 17 Tell Archippus [a Christian minister, horse-ruler]: “See to it [take heed, be mindful] that you complete [fulfill, bring to fruition] the ministry [service, the work of helping others] you have received [been given, entrusted with] in the Lord [God, the supreme authority].” word study 18 This greeting [salutation, word of love] is in my own [mine, written by myself] hand—Paul [the apostle, originally named Saul]. Remember [keep in memory, do not forget] my chains [bonds, shackles, imprisonment]. Grace [divine influence, graciousness] be with [accompany, among] you [as a group, collectively]. word study