Overview
Conversations & Relationships (Verses 2-6):
Paul starts by urging the Colossians to be prayerful and watchful. But he also talks about being wise in dealing with those outside of the faith. It's as if he's saying, "Look, don't just lock yourself in a holy bubble; engage with the world and let your speech be 'seasoned with salt.'" In other words, make your words meaningful, gracious, and impactful.
Personal Connections (Verses 7-9, 14-18):
Paul delves into his personal network of helpers, friends, and fellow workers in the Gospel. In mentioning them by name, he's also telling the Colossians, "You're not alone in this walk. There's a bigger community out there." These shoutouts may seem trivial, but they reveal that serving God often involves teamwork and mutual support.
Living the Mission (Verses 10-13, 18):
Paul speaks of people like Aristarchus and Epaphras who are doing the work, facing challenges, but standing firm. Epaphras, for instance, is "always wrestling in prayer." This section can serve as a personal challenge to the reader. How involved are you in the struggles and victories of your faith community?
Colossians 4 underscores the importance of moving Christian principles from the heart and mind into action. As you go about your day-to-day, are you embodying the values that Paul describes? And are you doing so in a way that benefits not just you, but the wider community?
Paul starts by urging the Colossians to be prayerful and watchful. But he also talks about being wise in dealing with those outside of the faith. It's as if he's saying, "Look, don't just lock yourself in a holy bubble; engage with the world and let your speech be 'seasoned with salt.'" In other words, make your words meaningful, gracious, and impactful.
Personal Connections (Verses 7-9, 14-18):
Paul delves into his personal network of helpers, friends, and fellow workers in the Gospel. In mentioning them by name, he's also telling the Colossians, "You're not alone in this walk. There's a bigger community out there." These shoutouts may seem trivial, but they reveal that serving God often involves teamwork and mutual support.
Living the Mission (Verses 10-13, 18):
Paul speaks of people like Aristarchus and Epaphras who are doing the work, facing challenges, but standing firm. Epaphras, for instance, is "always wrestling in prayer." This section can serve as a personal challenge to the reader. How involved are you in the struggles and victories of your faith community?
Colossians 4 underscores the importance of moving Christian principles from the heart and mind into action. As you go about your day-to-day, are you embodying the values that Paul describes? And are you doing so in a way that benefits not just you, but the wider community?
Colossians 4
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.
🔑 Devotional
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. (Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.)
End of Colossians 4
1 Year Plan: Sept 13 - Isa 16, Isa 17, Col 4 [next day]
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.
🔑 Devotional
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. (Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.)
End of Colossians 4
1 Year Plan: Sept 13 - Isa 16, Isa 17, Col 4 [next day]
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