Colossians 4

Chapter context

What is happening in Colossians 4?

supremacy of Christfullnessreconciliationnew life

Colossians 4 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as household and final exhortations. Colossians magnifies Christ as image, creator, reconciler, head of the church, and the one in whom believers are complete. Read this chapter with the wider themes of supremacy of Christ, fullness, and reconciliation in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

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

Glossary

Aristarchus Person v. 10: Best ruler, native of Thessalonica ( Acts 20:4 ), a companion of Paul ( Acts 19:29 ; 27:2 ). He was Paul’s “fellow-prisoner” at Rome ( Col. 4:10 ; Philemon 1:24 ).
Barnabas Person v. 10: Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite ( Acts 4:36 ). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1). Luke speaks of him as a “good man” (11:24).
Hierapolis Place v. 13: Sacred city, a city of Phrygia, where was a Christian church under the care of Epaphras ( Col. 4:12 , 13). This church was founded at the same time as that of Colosse. It now bears the name of Pambuk-Kalek, i. e. Modern identification: Hierapolis.
Laodicea Place v. 13, 15-16: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Laodicea on the Lycus.