Colossians 4

Setting the scene

Who wrote it: Paul (debated)
Who it was for: The believers in Colossae
What was happening: Masters and prayer, a wise word to outsiders, and a long list of friends and greetings

Read the full background in the book overview

What’s happening

Masters are to give their servants what is just and equal, knowing that they also have a Master in heaven. "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; praying 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; that I may reveal it as I ought to speak." They are to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, redeeming the time. "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell them all about Paul's affairs; Paul is sending him for this very purpose, so that they may know how things are with him and that he may comfort their hearts, and with him Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is one of them; they will make known everything that is going on here. Aristarchus, Paul's fellow prisoner, greets them, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom they received instructions: if he comes to them, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only Jewish believers among his fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to Paul. Epaphras, who is one of them, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets them, always striving for them in his prayers, that they may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God; Paul testifies that he has great zeal for them and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet them. Paul asks them to greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha, and the assembly that is in her house. "When 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." And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it." Finally: "The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen."

Why the setting matters

The names at the end tie the letter to Paul's wider network and to the letter to Philemon, which names Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, and Archippus and was sent with Onesimus at the same time. Onesimus is called "one of you," a quiet sign that his story (as a runaway slave who met Paul in prison) was known in Colossae. Mark is the same Mark who had turned back from the first journey and caused a dispute between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-39); the instruction to "welcome him" shows that relationship was mended. "The only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers" means the only Jews, and it is a reminder that most of Paul's team were Gentile. Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae sat close together in the Lycus Valley. The "letter from Laodicea" is not known to us: it may be Ephesians, which could have been a circular letter, or a letter now lost. Nympha (or Nymphas in some manuscripts) hosted a house church, which was how churches typically met before they had buildings. "Seasoned with salt" refers to speech that is not bland and also not corrupt, since salt flavors and preserves.

Read Colossians 4 (World English Bible)

Who’s in this chapter

Paul

Asks for prayer and sends greetings from prison.

Tychicus

Carries the letter and brings news.

Onesimus

"One of you," traveling with Tychicus.

Aristarchus

Paul's fellow prisoner.

Mark

Barnabas's cousin, to be welcomed.

Jesus called Justus

A Jewish co-worker who greets them.

Epaphras

Striving for them in prayer.

Luke

The beloved physician.

Demas

A co-worker who greets them.

Nympha

Hosts a church in her house.

Archippus

Told to fulfill his ministry.

Masters

Told to treat their slaves justly and fairly.

Talk it through

Paul asks for prayer for an "open door" to speak, while he is in chains. What does that say about what he cares about?
"Let your speech be seasoned with salt." What would it look like to speak with both grace and flavor?
The letter ends with a long list of names. Why might Paul want so many people mentioned by name?
Archippus is told to "fulfill" his ministry. What do you think that charge meant for him, and what does it suggest for us?

Read Colossians 4

World English Bible

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 in it 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.

Text: World English Bible, Public domain. About our sources

Key words

parécho · give
"Give to your servants that which is just and equal" (4:1).
isótēs · equality, fairness
"Just and equal" (4:1).
proskartereō · to devote oneself, to continue steadfastly
"Continue steadfastly in prayer" (4:2).
grēgoreō · to keep watch, stay awake
"Watching therein with thanksgiving" (4:2).
eucharistía · thanksgiving
"With thanksgiving" (4:2).
thyra · door, gate
"That God may open to us a door for the word" (4:3).
logos · word, message, reason
"A door for the word" (4:3, 4:6).
mystērion · mystery, secret
"To speak the mystery of Christ" (4:3).
desmós · bond, chain, imprisonment
"For which I am also in bonds" (4:3, 4:18).
phaneróō · reveal
"That I may reveal it as I ought to speak" (4:4).
laléō · speak
"As I ought to speak" (4:3-4).
éxō · outside
"Toward those who are outside" (4:5).
exagorázō · to redeem, to buy out
"Redeeming the time" (4:5).
kairós · season, appointed time
"Redeeming the time" (4:5).
charis · grace, favor
"Let your speech always be with grace" (4:6, 4:18).
hálas · salt
"Seasoned with salt" (4:6).
artýō · season
"Seasoned" (4:6).
apokrínomai · answer
"How you ought to answer each one" (4:6).
diakonos · servant, minister, deacon
"Faithful servant" (4:7).
sýndoulos · fellow servant
"And fellow servant in the Lord" (4:7).
pistós · faithful
"Faithful servant and fellow bondservant" (4:7, 4:9).
parakaleō · to encourage, to exhort, to comfort
"That he may comfort your hearts" (4:8).
synaichmálōtos · fellow prisoner
"Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner" (4:10).
entolē · commandment
"Concerning whom you received instructions" (4:10).
déchomai · receive
"If he comes to you, receive him" (4:10).
peritomē · circumcision
"These are the only ones of the circumcision" (4:11).
synergós · fellow worker
"Among my fellow workers" (4:11).
anepsiós · cousin
"Cousin" (4:10).
agōnizomai · to strive, to struggle
"Striving for you in his prayers" (4:12).
teleios · complete, mature, perfect
"That you may stand perfect" (4:12).
plērophoreō · to be fully convinced, to fulfill
"And fully assured" (4:12).
pónos · labor
"He has great zeal for you" (4:13).
iatrós · physician
"Luke, the beloved physician" (4:14).
agapētos · beloved
"Beloved" (4:7, 4:9, 4:14).
ekklēsia · assembly, church
"The assembly that is in her house" (4:15-16).
epistolḗ · letter
"When this letter has been read among you" (4:16).
diakonia · service, ministry
"Take heed to the ministry" (4:17).
paralambánō · to receive, to take along
"Which you have received in the Lord" (4:17).
plēroō · to fulfill, fill
"That you fulfill it" (4:17).
mnēmoneúō · remember
"Remember my bonds" (4:18).
aspazomai · to greet
"Greets you" (4:10, 4:12, 4:14-15).
aspasmós · greeting
"The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand" (4:18).

See all word studies

Cross-references

Philemon 1:1-25, a letter sent with Onesimus at the same time
1 Peter 3:15, always being prepared to make a defense... with gentleness and respect
Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas disagree over Mark
Ephesians 6:19-22, Tychicus will tell you everything

Also linked by other readers

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, from Colossians 4:2
Ephesians 4:29, from Colossians 4:6
Philippians 4:6, from Colossians 4:2

Ranked by reader votes: OpenBible.info Cross References, CC BY. About our sources