Colossians 4
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 4
1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, realizing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Prayer and Apostolic Spirit. 2 Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving;(A) 3 at the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,(B) 4 that I may make it clear, as I must speak. 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.(C) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one.
V. Conclusion[a]
Tychicus and Onesimus. 7 Tychicus,[b] my beloved brother, trustworthy minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news of me.(D) 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, a trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.(E)
From Paul’s Co-Workers. 10 Aristarchus,[c] my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions; if he comes to you, receive him),(F) 11 and Jesus,[d] who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; these alone are my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras[e] sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ [Jesus], always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.(G) 13 For I can testify that he works very hard for you and for those in Laodicea[f] and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke[g] the beloved physician sends greetings, as does Demas.(H)
A Message for the Laodiceans. 15 Give greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and to the church in her house.[h] 16 And when this letter is read before you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you yourselves read the one from Laodicea.[i] 17 And tell Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry[j] that you received in the Lord.”(I)
18 The greeting is in my own hand,[k] Paul’s. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.(J)
Footnotes
- 4:7–18 Paul concludes with greetings and information concerning various Christians known to the Colossians.
- 4:7 Tychicus: Acts 20:4 mentions his role in the collection for Jerusalem; Eph 6:21 repeats what is said here; see also 2 Tm 4:12; Ti 3:12.
- 4:10 Aristarchus: a Thessalonian who was with Paul at Ephesus and Caesarea and on the voyage to Rome (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). Mark: also referred to at Phlm 24 and 2 Tm 4:11 and, as “John Mark,” in Acts (Acts 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:37–40). See also 1 Pt 5:13 and the note there. Traditionally the author of the second gospel.
- 4:11 Jesus: a then common Jewish name, the Greek form of Joshua.
- 4:12 Epaphras: see notes on Col 1:3–8 and Col 1:7.
- 4:13 Laodicea: see note on Col 2:1. Hierapolis: a city northeast of Laodicea and northwest of Colossae.
- 4:14 Luke: only here described as a medical doctor; cf. Phlm 24 and 2 Tm 4:11. Traditionally the author of the third gospel. Demas: cf. Phlm 24; he later deserted Paul (2 Tm 4:10).
- 4:15 Nympha and…her house: some manuscripts read a masculine for the house-church leader, “Nymphas and…his house.”
- 4:16 The one from Laodicea: either a letter by Paul that has been lost or the Letter to the Ephesians (cf. note on Eph 1:1 in Ephesus).
- 4:17 Fulfill the ministry: usually taken to mean that Archippus, the son of Philemon and Apphia (Phlm 1–2), is “pastor” at Colossae. An alternate interpretation is that Archippus, not Philemon, is the owner of the slave Onesimus and that Paul is asking Archippus to complete the service he has received in the Lord by sending Onesimus back to minister to Paul in his captivity (cf. Phlm 20).
- 4:18 My own hand: a postscript in Paul’s own hand was his custom; cf. Gal 6:11–18 and 2 Thes 3:17–18.
Colossians 4
Legacy Standard Bible
Final Instructions and Greetings
4 Masters, show to your slaves what is right and fair, (A)knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
2 (B)Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time (C)for us as well, that God will open up to us a (D)door for (E)the word, so that we may speak (F)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also (G)been bound, 4 that I may make it (H)manifest (I)in the way I ought to speak.
5 (J)Walk in wisdom toward (K)outsiders, (L)redeeming the time. 6 (M)Let your [a]words always be [b]with grace, seasoned with (N)salt, so that you will know how you should (O)answer each person.
7 (P)Tychicus, our (Q)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord, will make known to you (R)all my affairs, 8 (S)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may (T)encourage your hearts; 9 [c]and with him (U)Onesimus, our faithful and (V)beloved brother, (W)who is one of you. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10 (X)Aristarchus, my (Y)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Mark, the cousin of (Z)Barnabas (about whom you received [d]instructions; (AA)if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only (AB)fellow workers for the kingdom of God (AC)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 (AD)Epaphras, (AE)who is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always (AF)striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand [e](AG)complete and (AH)fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has [f]a deep concern for you and for those who are in (AI)Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 (AJ)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also (AK)Demas. 15 Greet the brothers who are in (AL)Laodicea and also [g]Nympha and (AM)the church that is in [h]her house. 16 (AN)And when [i]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part (AO)read [j]my letter that is coming from (AP)Laodicea. 17 And say to (AQ)Archippus, “Take heed to the (AR)ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may [k]fulfill it.”
18 (AS)The greeting is in my own hand—[l]Paul. (AT)Remember my (AU)chains. (AV)Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:6 Lit word
- Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
- Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
- Colossians 4:10 Or commands
- Colossians 4:12 Or firm
- Colossians 4:13 Or much toil, great pain
- Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
- Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
- Colossians 4:18 Lit Paul’s
Colossians 4
King James Version
4 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 always 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.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
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