Colossians
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Colossians 4
Colossians 4
1Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Commentary · verse 1
2Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 3withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3Withal 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:
4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Commentary · verses 2-4
This was the same prayer Paul requested at the end of his letter to the Ephesians.
Doctrines on this passage
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Commentary · verse 5
Walking in wisdom is making profitable decisions. This is done by walking in grace. Verse 5 was focused on HOW believers ought to interact with unbelievers, which was also covered in several chapters in 1 Corinthians.
6Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Commentary · verse 6
We should also let God direct our speech. Salt does not add flavor, it removes bitterness. Our approach to unbelievers ought to help them remove their bitterness, which would be unique to each person we talk to. Additionally, our approach should not be done from our own strength because we get stuck in ruts of tradition and tend to use the same approach on everyone. The Holy Spirit, via grace, is the best way for us to answer everyone.
Doctrines on this passage
7All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: 8whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts; 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Commentary · verse 10
"Mark" in verse 10 was John-Mark, who went on the beginning portion of Paul's first missionary journey with him and Barnabas.
11and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
13For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.
11And 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.
12Epaphras, 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.
13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Commentary · verses 11-14
Luke was with Paul. Luke was a doctor and also wrote the Book of Acts and the Gospel according to Luke.
15Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.
15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Commentary · verse 15
Another mention of a church being in a house.
16And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.
16And 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.
Commentary · verse 16
Paul wanted this letter to be read to the Laodiceans and also his letter to the Laodiceans to be read in Colossae. A letter to the Laodiceans? Would the church today consider a letter to the Laodiceans to be included in the Bible, if it were found? Why or why not?
We know that the church of Laodicea was considered to be lukewarm during John's writing of the Book of Revelation (Revelation 3:14-19). Did Paul warn them also about becoming lukewarm?
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Theme of Chapter 4: The best way to answer unbelievers is to allow the Holy Spirit to answer through us via Grace.
Commentary · verse 18
The Epistle to the Colossians was written at the same time as Ephesians and Philemon, with all three being delivered by Tychicus. These letters were written by Paul around 64 AD from Rome during his time in prison. This was the seventh book of the section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles and the fourth (and last) book of the mini-section known as the Prison Epistles. So far, we have seen that:
- Romans presented the most foundational Christian Doctrine: Salvation.
- 1 Corinthians focused on the application of the foundational Doctrine towards a very new church.
- 2 Corinthians was a more mature application of foundational Doctrine.
- Galatians was a review of these first three Pauline Epistles.
- Ephesians presented an overarching framework for the rest of Christian Doctrine unto its end, which is The Meaning of Life: All believers interact with each other as "cells in the body" of the Bride which is married to Jesus.
- Philippians focused on the day-to-day effects that ought to result from a believer understanding the previous five epistles: joy regardless of the circumstances.
- Colossians focused on growth during our day-to-day walk, both what is able to hinder our growth (deceivers trying to focus believers on the Law) and what we can do to intentionally grow: know God's Will and understand the Word of God. This letter referenced many of the same concepts as what Paul covered, especially what he wrote in his letters to the Ephesians and Philippians, the previous two letters. This may be why this epistle was placed immediately following those two epistles.
Masters should be just and equal because they are servants of a higher Master: God. How a master treats their servants is a statement of their will in how they want to be treated by their Master. Like we stated during the discussion of this same topic in Ephesians 6:9, a way to apply this to today's culture is to see masters as bosses/employers and servants as employees.