Colossians 4
Colossians 4 is the closing portion of a letter that Paul sent to the church in Colossae. It contains practical exhortations for everyday life, greetings to fellow workers, and a request to pray together. Beyond doctrinal instruction, Paul focuses on how concrete life and community are related.
1verseMasters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2verseContinue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
3versepraying 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,
4versethat I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5verseWalk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6verseLet your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7verseAll my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
8verseI am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9versetogether with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10verseAristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
11verseand 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.
12verseEpaphras, 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.
13verseFor I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
14verseLuke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15verseGreet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.
16verseWhen 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.
17verseTell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18verseI, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Practical Exhortation in Daily Life (Verses 1–6)
- Relationships between slaves and masters (verse 1): Paul urges those who act as masters to practice justice and fairness, reminding everyone that they are servants of the heavenly Master.
- Prayer and thanksgiving (verses 2–4): He asks them to keep praying continually, to include thanksgiving in their lives, and to pray also for Paul and his fellow workers.
- Acting wisely toward outsiders (verses 5–6): He emphasizes carrying out wisdom in relationships with outsiders and adding grace to one’s words and actions in interpersonal relationships.
Solidarity with Fellow Workers (Verses 7–18)
- Introducing fellow workers (verses 7–14): Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Luke, and others are mentioned by name, and they are all people who served alongside Paul for the spread of the gospel and for the life of the faith community. Paul shares news about each fellow worker and conveys their trust and encouragement to the believers of the Colossian church.
- Delivery of the letter and final greetings (verses 15–18): He sends greetings to the church in Laodicea and to other believers, and asks that the letter be passed on to various churches so it may be read. Finally, he adds a personal greeting in his own hand and asks that they stand firm in the Lord.
Points for Reflection
- In my life, I reflect on with whom and how I form faithful partnership relationships.
- I check whether I am approaching everything with an attitude of gratitude and prayer.
- I reflect on whether I am speaking and acting wisely toward the people around me who are “outsiders” (those outside the sphere of faith), and whether I am making the gospel visible.
Try Applying It to Me
- I commit myself to live by practicing justice and fairness in my own roles and places—at home, at work, in the church, and wherever I am.
- I develop the habit of praying and giving thanks continually every day, and I pray not only for my own needs but also for the needs of others and for the community.
- I strive to ensure that the grace and wisdom of Christ are revealed in my words and actions.
This is the last chapter of Colossians.