Colossians 4

Paul finishes his letter with a few last instructions about prayer, wise speech and treating others fairly. He then names the friends who are with him and sends greetings. The closing list shows how much the gospel depends on ordinary, faithful people working together.

Colossians 4:1

Paul has already told slaves to obey. Now he tells masters to treat them justly and fairly. Both sides answer to the same Lord. Whatever power a person holds over others, Christ holds it over him.

BSA: fair (“equal, equitable”): The word carries the sense of even-handed treatment, as though master and slave stand on level ground before God.

See also: Ephesians 6:9.

Colossians 4:2

Prayer is to be a steady habit, not an occasional act. Paul asks for wakefulness, which means staying alert to God and to need. He also asks for thankfulness, so that requests are joined with gratitude for what God has already done.

BSA: Devote (“continue steadfastly, be instant in”): Prayer is something we stay with, returning to it faithfully. watchful (“alert, awake, and vigilant”): We are to pray with open eyes and attentive hearts, not half asleep.

Greek: προσκαρτερεῖτε (proskartereite, G4342) — “keep at it, stay with firmly.” The word pictures holding on with strength and not giving up. Prayer is to be a persistent duty, as steady as a soldier at his post.

See also: Luke 18:1; Philippians 4:6.

Colossians 4:3-4

Paul is in prison, yet he does not ask for release. He asks for open doors for the gospel and for clear speech. The message is the mystery of Christ, which was hidden for ages and is now made known. His chains are the price of that message.

BSA: door (“opportunity, entrance”): Paul asks God to give a chance for the message to enter people’s lives. mystery (“hidden truth, secret”): It is a truth that was once hidden and has now been revealed in Christ.

See also: Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 6:19-20.

Colossians 4:5

Christians are watched by those outside the church. Paul asks the Colossians to live wisely among them and not to waste the chances God gives. Each day holds moments that may not return.

BSA: redeeming (“buying back, making the most of”): Opportunities are to be bought up and used well, as a shrewd buyer would not let a bargain pass.

Greek: ἐξαγοραζόμενοι (exagorazomenoi, G1805) — “buying up, purchasing out of the market.” The word comes from the marketplace. Time is treated as something valuable to be seized and not left to slip away.

See also: Ephesians 5:15-16.

Colossians 4:6

Our words should be kind and also have some bite, as salt does. Salt gives flavor and keeps food from spoiling. Gracious and wholesome speech lets us answer each person’s real question fittingly and not with a standard reply.

BSA: salt (“to bring out flavor, preserve”): Speech with salt is tasteful and keeps what is good from decaying. answer (“respond, reply”): Each person is to be answered according to who he is and what he is asking.

See also: Ephesians 4:29; 1 Peter 3:15.

Colossians 4:7-8

Tychicus carries the letter and brings news of Paul. He is described in three ways: a dear brother, a trusted minister and a fellow servant. His visit has two purposes. The Colossians learn how Paul is, and their hearts are strengthened.

BSA: encourage (“comfort, strengthen”): His visit is meant to put new strength into discouraged believers. faithful (“trustworthy, dependable”): Paul trusts Tychicus to carry the message accurately.

See also: Ephesians 6:21-22.

Colossians 4:9

Onesimus is the runaway slave of Philemon, who lived in Colossae. Paul now calls him a faithful and beloved brother and one of their own. The gospel has changed his standing. Together the two men will report on all that is happening in Rome.

See also: Philemon 1:10-16.

Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus shares Paul’s imprisonment. Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, had once left Paul’s mission, but he is now trusted again. Paul asks the church to welcome him if he comes. This is a quiet picture of restoration.

BSA: welcome (“receive, embrace”): The Colossians are to receive Mark warmly, not with suspicion.

See also: Acts 15:37-39; 2 Timothy 4:11.

Colossians 4:11

Jesus, called Justus, was a common name at the time. Paul says that of his fellow workers, only these three men, Aristarchus, Mark and Justus, are Jews. Their company has been a real comfort to him. Gentile believers had been a great support to Paul as well.

BSA: comfort (“consolation, encouragement”): Their friendship was a real support to Paul in prison.

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras was from Colossae and probably brought the gospel there. Though far away, he prays for them with great effort. He asks that they stand firm, grown up and sure of God’s will. It shows what prayer for others looks like.

BSA: wrestling (“striving, struggling”): His prayer is hard labor, like a contest. mature (“complete, fully grown”): He prays that they would reach full spiritual growth.

Greek: ἀγωνιζόμενος (agōnizomenos, G75) — “struggling as in an athletic contest.” Our word agony comes from it. Epaphras prays as an athlete strains in the arena, putting his whole strength into it.

See also: Romans 15:30.

Colossians 4:13

Paul vouches for Epaphras’s labor. His concern reaches beyond Colossae to the nearby towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis in the same river valley. He was a shepherd carrying whole communities in his heart.

BSA: testify (“bear witness, give evidence”): Paul is speaking as a witness who has seen Epaphras’s care himself.

Colossians 4:14

Luke, the doctor, is the companion who wrote the Gospel and Acts. Paul calls him beloved. Demas is named without comment here. Later, Paul sadly writes that Demas deserted him, loving this present world.

BSA: physician (“one who heals, a medical doctor”): Luke used his medical skill to care for Paul, and Paul calls him dear.

See also: 2 Timothy 4:10; Philemon 1:24.

Colossians 4:15

Paul greets the believers in nearby Laodicea. He singles out Nympha and the church that meets in her home. Early churches had no church buildings and often met in the homes of believers. Here a woman is the host.

BSA: church (“assembly, community of believers”): The church is the people gathered, not a building.

See also: Romans 16:5.

Colossians 4:16

Paul’s letters were meant to be read aloud and shared among the churches. The Colossians are to pass theirs to Laodicea and read the one that came from there. That other letter is not known to us for certain. It may be the one we call Ephesians, but we cannot be sure.

BSA: read (“proclaimed publicly”): The letter was read aloud before the whole assembly.

See also: 1 Thessalonians 5:27.

Colossians 4:17

Archippus has been given a task in the Lord, and Paul wants him to finish it. We are not told what it was. The ministry was received from the Lord, not chosen by the man, so it is the Lord who is owed its completion.

BSA: complete (“fulfill, bring to fruition”): The work is to be carried through to the end, not left half done. ministry (“service, the work of helping others”): It is service for others, given to him by God.

See also: Philemon 1:2; 2 Timothy 4:5.

Colossians 4:18

Paul takes the pen from the person writing for him and adds a closing greeting in his own hand. He asks them to remember his chains, which means to keep praying for him and to think of what the gospel costs. He ends, as he usually does, with grace.

BSA: chains (“bonds, shackles, imprisonment”): The word reminds them that Paul suffers for the gospel. Grace (“divine influence, graciousness”): Paul’s final wish is God’s undeserved favor resting on them all.

See also: 2 Thessalonians 3:17.