You did it! You’re about to finish another Bible Study with me. Kudos to you for your consistency. Kudos for being devoted to God. This one has just a little more of those very important instructions and then the sign offs and salutations found in many of the letters. The NIV subtitles verses 2-6 Further Instructions. Enjoy! Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for this end of another study. Thank You for Your consistent presence in my life. Thank You for revealing the lessons and the characteristics of these people so we could learn from them. Thank You, Lord. Help me finish this one as You wish it to be done. For Your Glory. Amen.
Colossians 4 – Amplified Bible
Fellow Workers
Please read Colossians 4:1-4
1 Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.
Be persistent and devoted to prayer.
Alert and focused in your prayer life
with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Well, that’s rather direct isn’t it? How is your prayer life? Does it conform to that verse? Lord help us.
Devoted and with Wisdom
Please read Colossians 4:5-6
5 Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. 6 Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
Life is to be treated as something precious. It’s more likely you will run into outsiders in your daily life and even then making the most of the opportunity, I think that means share Jesus, but maybe just show Jesus, not talk about Him.
Please read Colossians 4:7-9
7 As to all my affairs, [a]Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him is [b]Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome].
May it be said of us: much-loved, but even more so, faithful.
Devoted People
Please read Colossians 4:10-13
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
Here’s a way to pray: with genuine concern of your {whoever you’re praying for} pleading that they will stand firm, become spiritually mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Yes, it is strenuous work, but if Epaphras and Paul could do it, so can we.
Please read Colossians 4:14-18
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the [c]brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn read [d]my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”
May we all see to it that we fulfill carefully the duties of the ministry which we have received in the Lord. So carefully.
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.
Footnotes
[a] Colossians 4:7 –[a]Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord- Tychicus probably delivered this letter to Colossae, as well as Paul’s letter to Ephesus, while traveling on the same journey.
[b] Colossians 4:9 -and with him is [b]Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother- Onesimus was Philemon’s runaway slave who was converted to Christianity under Paul’s ministry.
[c] Colossians 4:15 -to the [c]brothers and sisters at Laodicea- Lit brethren.
[d] Colossians 4:16 -you in turn read [d]my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea- Paul is most likely referring to the letter he wrote to the Ephesians (see note Eph 1:1) during this same time period.