Colossians 4 English Standard Version
4 Masters, treat your bondservants[a] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 (A)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it (B)with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may (C)open to us a door for the word, (D)to declare the mystery of Christ, (E)on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 (F)Walk in wisdom toward (G)outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always (H)be gracious, (I)seasoned with salt, (J)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you (K)all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant[b] in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him (L)Onesimus, our faithful and (M)beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 (N)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark (O)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—(P)if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called (Q)Justus. (R)These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and (S)they have been a comfort to me. 12 (T)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always (U)struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand (V)mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 (W)Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does (X)Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers[c] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and (Y)the church in her house. 16 And when (Z)this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to (AA)Archippus, “See that you fulfill (AB)the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, (AC)write this greeting with my own hand. (AD)Remember (AE)my chains. (AF)Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
- Colossians 4:7 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word sundoulos, see Preface
- Colossians 4:15 Or brothers and sisters
Cross references
- Colossians 4:2 : For ver. 2-4, see Eph. 6:18-20
- Colossians 4:2 : ch. 2:7
- Colossians 4:3 : See Acts 14:27
- Colossians 4:3 : See Rom. 16:25
- Colossians 4:3 : ver. 18; Eph. 6:20; See Phil. 1:7
- Colossians 4:5 : See Eph. 5:15-17
- Colossians 4:5 : See Mark 4:11
- Colossians 4:6 : ch. 3:16
- Colossians 4:6 : See Mark 9:50
- Colossians 4:6 : 1 Pet. 3:15
- Colossians 4:7 : For ver. 7-9, see Eph. 6:21, 22
- Colossians 4:9 : Philem. 10
- Colossians 4:9 : Philem. 16
- Colossians 4:10 : Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philem. 24; [Rom. 16:7]
- Colossians 4:10 : See Acts 15:37, 39
- Colossians 4:10 : [2 Tim. 4:11]
- Colossians 4:11 : [Acts 1:23; 18:7]
- Colossians 4:11 : See Acts 11:2
- Colossians 4:11 : [Philem. 7]
- Colossians 4:12 : ch. 1:7; Philem. 23
- Colossians 4:12 : See Rom. 15:30
- Colossians 4:12 : See Matt. 5:48
- Colossians 4:14 : 2 Tim. 4:11; See Acts 16:10
- Colossians 4:14 : 2 Tim. 4:10; Philem. 24
- Colossians 4:15 : See Rom. 16:5
- Colossians 4:16 : 1 Thess. 5:27
- Colossians 4:17 : Philem. 2
- Colossians 4:17 : 2 Tim. 4:5
- Colossians 4:18 : See 1 Cor. 16:21
- Colossians 4:18 : [Heb. 13:3]
- Colossians 4:18 : ver. 3; See Phil. 1:7
- Colossians 4:18 : 1 Tim. 6:21; 2 Tim. 4:22; [Titus 3:15]
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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