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Colossians 4

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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.

World English Bible (public domain)

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Colossians 4:2

Summary

Colossians chapter 4 concludes Paul's epistle with practical instructions and greetings. Paul begins by advising masters to treat their bondservants justly, reminding them of their own accountability to God. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, encouraging persistent and watchful communication with God, seasoned with thanksgiving. Paul also instructs the church to pray for his ministry, especially that he might proclaim Christ clearly and boldly despite his imprisonment. He calls the Colossians to live wisely among outsiders, making the most of every opportunity to witness and ensuring their conversations are gracious and seasoned with salt. Paul then moves to personal instructions and greetings, mentioning several co-workers and fellow Christians by name. Tychicus and Onesimus are noted for delivering the letter and giving updates on Paul's situation. Mark, Barnabas's cousin, is notable for being included despite previous tensions with Paul, revealing reconciliation. Paul closes with greetings from Aristarchus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas, and instructs the Colossians to exchange letters with the church at Laodicea to foster unity and shared edification. Finally, Paul exhorts Archippus to fulfill his God-given ministry, demonstrating mutual encouragement and accountability within the community. Theologically, this chapter underscores the necessity of prayer, the importance of wise and grace-filled interactions with non-believers, and the power of community in the Christian life. It highlights the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness, as evidenced by the renewed relationship between Paul and Mark, while underscoring a sense of shared mission and support among the early Christians.

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Chapter outline

How Colossians 4 unfolds

  1. Colossians 4:1 Instructions for Masters

    Paul instructs masters to treat their servants justly, emphasizing their own accountability to a higher Master.

  2. Colossians 4:2–4 Encouragement to Prayer

    Paul urges steadfast prayer, watching with thanksgiving, and asks for prayer in his ministry to boldly proclaim Christ.

  3. Colossians 4:5–6 Wise Conduct and Speech

    The Colossians are called to walk wisely toward outsiders and ensure their speech is gracious and thoughtful.

  4. Colossians 4:7–9 Personal Greetings and Updates

    Paul shares news through Tychicus and Onesimus, highlighting their roles and the encouragement they bring to the Colossians.

  5. Colossians 4:10–14 Fellow Workers and Greetings

    Paul mentions several co-workers, including Mark, indicating their contributions and relationships within the Christian community.

  6. Colossians 4:15–17 Community and Mutual Accountability

    Paul instructs the Colossians to greet their fellow believers and encourages Archippus to fulfill his ministry.

  7. Colossians 4:18 Closing Remarks

    Paul concludes with a personal note, reminding them of his bonds and offering a blessing of grace.

Key verses

  • Colossians 4:2Colossians 4:2 underscores the chapter's focus on the necessity of persistent prayer for spiritual strength and community support.

Main themes in Colossians 4

Prayer

Prayer is a central theme in Colossians 4, especially in verses 2-4 where Paul emphasizes steadfastness and thanksgiving. The chapter reflects a deep reliance on prayer for both personal and communal growth amid challenges. This need for prayer underlines the importance of spiritual vigilance and support within the Christian community.

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Witness to Non-Believers

In verses 5-6, Paul instructs the Colossians to conduct themselves wisely toward outsiders, emphasizing the significance of redeeming time. This call to wise conduct and gracious speech highlights the potential impact of their interactions on non-believers. It suggests that how they live and speak can serve as a powerful witness to their faith.

Christian Relationships

In Colossians 4, verses 7-14 present Paul's personal greetings and highlight his co-workers, illustrating the significance of Christian relationships. This section underscores how early believers operated in a supportive network, providing mutual encouragement and accountability. The development of these relationships enhances unity within the church, which is essential for their communal mission of spreading the gospel effectively.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness

Reconciliation is evident in the inclusion of Mark, who had a troubled past with Paul, showcasing the theme of forgiveness in verse 10. The chapter suggests that personal relationships within the church can be restored through mutual understanding and grace. This emphasis on reconciliation highlights the transformative power of the gospel in relationships.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Colossians 4

Study questions

Questions for studying Colossians 4

  1. What specific instructions does Paul give to masters in verse 1?
  2. How does Paul encourage the Colossians to pray in verses 2-4?
  3. What does it mean to walk in wisdom toward outsiders as mentioned in verse 5?
  4. Who are Tychicus and Onesimus, and what roles do they play in this letter?
  5. What significance does Mark's inclusion have in the context of this chapter?
  6. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of greeting the Laodiceans in verse 15?
  7. What does Paul's closing exhortation to Archippus suggest about community responsibility?

Colossians 4: frequently asked questions

What is Colossians 4 about?+
Colossians chapter 4 concludes Paul's epistle with practical instructions and greetings. Paul begins by advising masters to treat their bondservants justly, reminding them of their own accountability to God. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, encouraging persistent and watchful communication with God, seasoned with thanksgiving. Paul also instructs the church to pray for his ministry, especially that he might proclaim Christ clearly and boldly despite his imprisonment. He calls the Colossians to live wisely among outsiders, making the most of every opportunity to witness and ensuring their conversations are gracious and seasoned with salt. Paul then moves to personal instructions and greetings, mentioning several co-workers and fellow Christians by name. Tychicus and Onesimus are noted for delivering the letter and giving updates on Paul's situation. Mark, Barnabas's cousin, is notable for being included despite previous tensions with Paul, revealing reconciliation. Paul closes with greetings from Aristarchus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas, and instructs the Colossians to exchange letters with the church at Laodicea to foster unity and shared edification. Finally, Paul exhorts Archippus to fulfill his God-given ministry, demonstrating mutual encouragement and accountability within the community. Theologically, this chapter underscores the necessity of prayer, the importance of wise and grace-filled interactions with non-believers, and the power of community in the Christian life. It highlights the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness, as evidenced by the renewed relationship between Paul and Mark, while underscoring a sense of shared mission and support among the early Christians.
What is the key verse in Colossians 4?+
Colossians 4:2: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;"
What are the main themes of Colossians 4?+
The main themes of Colossians 4 are Prayer, Witness to Non-Believers, Christian Relationships, Reconciliation and Forgiveness.

Related chapters

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Study Notes

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