Colossians 4

The apostle exhorts masters to equity towards their servants 2 and everyone to continuance in prayer 3 and especially for him that by this bands he might not be hindered in the work of the gospel 5 exhorts them to walk and to speak wisely amongst them tat are without 7 testifies that he sends Tychius and Onesimus to them to comfort them and to inform them of all the affairs 10 salutes them in the names of Aristarchus and divers others whose zeal for them he commandeth 15 commandeth them to salute the brethren in Laodecia and let them read this epistle also 17 and to bid Archippus fulfill his ministry 18 And so concludes this epistle with salutations.

1. Ye masters do to your servants that which is just and equal [Gr that which is just and equality by the first word may fitly be understood that which the masters according to the laws of the land ought to do to their servants by the other that which equity and Christian compassion requires besides] and know that ye also have a master in heaven.

2. Hold on strongly in prayer [or be continually of the Greek word signifies both namely to hold on in prayer with zeal and continuance see Luke 18:1 Ephesians 6:18] and watch in the same [that is be careful and attentive that not only the mouth but also the heart and understanding be watchful in prayer see Mark 13:33 v Revelation 3.2c] with thanksgiving.

3. With all praying also for us that God would open unto us the door of the word [that is afford us good opportunity and boldness that that we may spread abroad to speak the mystery of Christ [that is the gospel or the doctrine of Christ why the same is called a mystery see Ephesians 1:9 and Colossians 2:2]for which also I am bound [that is imprisoned see the manner of imprisonment Acts 28:16.]

4. That I may manifest the same even as I must speak [namely virtue of my calling Romans 1:14.1 Corinthians 9:16.

5. Walk with wisdom [Gr in wisdom that is walk wisely, prudently that is so that ye bring yourselves into no danger without necessity nor that ye yield not to their sins idolatry, or false doctrines, but seek to win them all opportunities] with those that are without [that is are strangers from the faith or the church of God which is the house of god see the like 1Corinthians 5.12, 13] redeeming the fit time [of this phrase the annotate on Ephesians 5:16]

6. Let your speech be always in acceptation, sprinkled with salt [Gr seasoned that is so ordered to acceptation of those with whom ye converse that in the mean time all filthy corrupt and unedifying speeches be kept from it see 1Corinthians 15.33 Ephesians 4:29] that ye may know how ye should answer everyone [that is whether the same be without or within the church whether it be to give account of your faith 1Peter 3.15 or to comfort or exhort one another 1Thessalonians 5.11]

7. All my affairs [or the things which concern me namely of my condition in this imprisonment and what I do here] shall Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord make known unto ye

8. Whom I have sent unto ye for the same end that he may know your affairs [that is the state in which your church is] and comfort your hearts [namely both with gifts and also with the relation of the liberty which I have here to spread abroad the gospel in my hands and the progress of the same see Acts 28:30 Philippians 1:12]

9. With Onesimus the faithful brother and beloved brother who is yours [that is not only of your city and country-men but also a minister of your church as the like phrase is to be seen hereafter verse 12] they shall make known unto ye all that is here:

10. There greet ye [to greet is properly to wish any one peace ,happiness, and salvation see Luke 10:5] Aristarchus my fellow prisoner [this was a famous disciple born at Macedonia a continual companion of Paul who had also followed him his hands even unto Rome see acts 19.29 and 20.4 and chapter 27.2] and Marcus [who is also called John whose mother Mary was a very godly woman in whose house the assemblies of the apostle and of other believers were many times held Acts 12:12 who indeed with Barnabas parted from Paul Acts 15:38 but never the less remained constant in the ministry of the gospel and returned to Paul again as appears here and 2 timothy 4.11 although afterwards he betook himself unto Peter 1Peter 5.13 in whose company he wrote his gospel as some ancient teachers testify]nephew of Barnabas [that is brothers of Sifters sons]concerning whom ye received commandments if he come unto ye receive him [namely with all honor and friendship which Paul adds to increase his respect with these churches]

11. And Jesus called Justus [of him see Acts 18:7] who are of the circumcision [that is of the Jews] these only [namely of the Jews of the Greek there were many more as appears from this salutation itself but for the Jews the were many which withstood Paul Acts 28.24c] are my fellow laborer in the kingdom of God both of grace and glory promised by the prophets under the Messiah is promoted see Matthew 4:23 mark 4.11] who have been a comfort unto me.

12. Epaphras salutes ye who is of yours [as before verse 9] a servant of Christ always striving for ye in prayers [that is pressing with great zeal and continuance] that ye may stand perfect [that is perfectly instructed and this opposed to them who were yet children or novice in doctrine as 1Corinthians 2.6 and chapter 14 .20 Philippians 3:12] and complete Gr filled in all the will of God.

13. For I hear him witness that he hath great zeal for ye and them that are in Laodicea and them that are in Heirapolis [these two famous cities lay not far from them as is noted chapter 1 verse2.]

14. there salute ye Luke [this is the evangelist Luke who wrote this gospel by the holy ghost and was continual companion of Paul in his travel even unto Rome also in his imprisonment see Acts 27:1 and 28.14] the physician [namely by calling or profession as Matthew is called a publican even after his calling to the apostleship Matthew 10:3] the beloved and Demas [this was indeed fellow labor of Paul in his imprisonment for a time Philemon verse 24 afterwards shameful fore look him 2 Timothy4.10.]

15. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the church which is in his house [this is understood either of the church which is kept their assemblies in the mans house or else of his house hold which was as little church in his house and was kept in very Christian order by him as is said of the house of Aquila and Priscilla Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.]

16. And when this epistle shall be read by ye cause it also to be read in the church of the Laodiceans [this he would have done not only because this was a famous church in that country but also because some fought to bring in the same errors there also whereof Paul warned the Colossians in the two first chapters of this epistle] and that ye also read that which is written from Laodicea[the apostle doth not speak of an epistle which he wrote to the Laodiceans as some have thought and have feigned an epistle which is found in some Latin and also some Belgick testaments but always held for Apocryphal but for an epistle which was written from Laodicea whereby some understand the first epistle of Paul to Timothy because it is said in the subscription that the same was said in Laodicea but by a notable mistake of those who set these subscription to the epistle of Paul seeing it appears chapter 2.1 that the churches of Colossians and Laodicea had never seen the face of Paul but it is most probable that Paul speaks of an epistle which he had received from Laodices either from the church itself or from some apostolic men therein which epistle a further a declaration was made of these errors or of the authors of them which might also serve for the Colossians further warning or information when the same should be compared with epistle of Paul.]

17. And say to Archippus [he seems to have been Epaphras his colleague in this church who after the departure of Epaphras was grown remiss in his zeal and ministry wherefore the apostle will have admonition given him] look to the ministry which thou hast received in the lord that is by the Lord or for him for it is even the Lord himself who sends forth labors into his harvest although for so for the most part they are called for the churches Matthew 9:38 Acts 20:28]that thou fulfill it [that is filly or duly administer it not being content with the title only but faithfully executing the work thereof see the like 2timothy 4.5.]

18. The salutation with mine own hand [hereby he understands the words of the following of salutation of grace which he used to write with his own hand under his own epistle although he often used the hand of others in the writing out of the epistle as he testifies himself 2Thessalonians 3.17 see further the annotate on 1 Corinthians 16:21]of Paul remember my hands grace be with you [that is the special favor of God in Christ towards us with all the benefits which flow from thence]Amen see of this word in the annotate on Matthew 6:13 and 28.20.]