Colossians 4
Christian Standard Bible
4 Masters,(A) deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
Speaking to God and Others
2 Devote yourselves(B) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door(C) to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,(D) for which I am in chains,(E) 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.(F) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,(G) so that you may know how you should answer each person.(H)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus,(I) our dearly loved brother, faithful(J) minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are[a] and so that he may encourage(K) your hearts.(L) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(M) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark,(N) Barnabas’s(O) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(P) who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling(Q) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured[b] in everything God wills.(R) 13 For I testify about him that he works hard[c](S) for you, for those in Laodicea,(T) and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas(U) send you greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.(V) 16 After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus,(W) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”(X)
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains.(Y) Grace be with you.[d](Z)
Colossians 4
Lexham English Bible
4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a master in heaven.
Further Advice for the Christian Life
2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time for us also, that God may open for us a door of the message, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which also I am a prisoner[a], 4 so that I may reveal[b] it, as it is necessary for me to speak. 5 Live with wisdom toward those outside, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how it is necessary for you to answer each one.
Exhortations Regarding Fellow Workers
7 Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you all my circumstances[c], 8 whom I have sent to you for this very reason, in order that you may know our circumstances[d] and he may encourage your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, my faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all the circumstances[e] here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions—if he should come to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only ones who are fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, who have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, greets you, a slave of Christ[f] always struggling on behalf of you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured[g] in all the will of God. 13 For I testify to him that he is working hard[h] on behalf of you and those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the physician, our dear friend, greets you, as does Demas. 15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her[i] house. 16 And whenever this letter is read among you, see to it[j] that it is read also among the Laodicean church, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus, “Direct your attention to the ministry that you received in the Lord, in order that you may complete it.”
Final Greeting and Benediction
18 The greeting is by my hand, Paul’s. Remember my imprisonment[k]. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:3 Literally “I have been bound”
- Colossians 4:4 Or “may make it clear”
- Colossians 4:7 Literally “the things according to me”
- Colossians 4:8 Literally “the things concerning us”
- Colossians 4:9 Literally “the things”
- Colossians 4:12 Some manuscripts have “of Christ Jesus”
- Colossians 4:12 Or “and filled”
- Colossians 4:13 Literally “he has much labor”
- Colossians 4:15 Some manuscripts, including the majority of Byzantine minuscules, read the masculine form of the pronoun here (“his”), understanding the form of the name “Nympha” earlier in the verse to be masculine
- Colossians 4:16 Literally “cause”
- Colossians 4:18 Literally “bonds”
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