Colossians 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
4 1 Masters, be granting to your slaves the just[a] thing and equality[b], knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Devote Yourselves To Prayer
2 Be devoting-yourselves to prayer, keeping-watch[c] in it with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time also for us— that God may open to us a door for the word that we may speak the mystery of Christ because of which I also have been bound, 4 that[d] I may make it clear[e], as I ought-to speak.
Walk With Wisdom And Grace In This World
5 Be walking with wisdom toward the ones outside, redeeming[f] the time, 6 your speech always being with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought-to answer each one.
Closing Remarks And Greetings
7 All the things concerning me Tychicus will make-known to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-slave in the Lord 8 whom I sent to you for this very reason— in order that you may know the things concerning us and he may encourage your hearts— 9 together-with Onesimus[g], the faithful and beloved brother who is from-among you. They will make all the things here known to you.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, greets you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received commands (if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus, the one being called Justus— the ones being from the circumcision[h] (these alone are fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, who proved-to-be[i] a comfort[j] to me). 12 Epaphras greets you— the one from-among you, a slave of Christ Jesus always struggling[k] for you in his prayers in-order-that[l] you might stand mature[m] and having been fully-assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify concerning him that he has great pain[n] for you, and the ones in Laodicea, and the ones in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and Demas.
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church at her house. 16 And when this letter is read among you, cause that it also be read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus— “See-to the ministry which you received in the Lord, in order that you may be fulfilling it”.
18 The greeting of Paul by my own hand— remember[o] my imprisonment[p]. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:1 Or, right, righteous (before your Master).
- Colossians 4:1 That is, treat them as equals before your common Master. Or, equity, fairness (from your common Master’s point of view). Paul is not directly referring to emancipation.
- Colossians 4:2 Or, staying-alert.
- Colossians 4:4 This is a second request. Or, in order that, giving the purpose of the request for an open door.
- Colossians 4:4 Or, known.
- Colossians 4:5 That is, buying up the time for the Lord; saving the time from being lost or wasted; making the most of your time.
- Colossians 4:9 That is, the one of whom Philemon was written.
- Colossians 4:11 That is, Jewish Christians.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, were, became.
- Colossians 4:11 Or, consolation, assuagement.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, striving, fighting.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, that, giving the content of his prayers.
- Colossians 4:12 Or, complete.
- Colossians 4:13 That is, aching in his heart; or, toil, exertion (that is, he toils hard for you).
- Colossians 4:18 That is, keep in mind.
- Colossians 4:18 Or, bonds.
Colossians 4
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
4 Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven.(A)
2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison;
4 That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty.
5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.
6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].
7 Tychicus will give you full information about my affairs; [he is] a much-loved brother and faithful ministering assistant and fellow servant [with us] in the Lord.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are faring and that he may comfort and cheer and encourage your hearts.
9 And with [him is] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of yourselves. They will let you know everything that has taken place here [in Rome].
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner wishes to be remembered to you, as does Mark the relative of Barnabas. You received instructions concerning him; if he comes to you give him a [[a]hearty] welcome.
11 And [greetings also from] Jesus, who is called Justus. These [Hebrew Christians] alone of the circumcision are among my fellow workers for [the extension of] God’s kingdom, and they have proved a relief and a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm and mature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in [b]everything willed by God.
13 For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas salute you.
15 Give my greetings to the brethren at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the assembly (the church) which meets in her house.
16 And when this epistle has been read before you, [see] that it is read also in the assembly (the church) of the Laodiceans, and also [see] that you yourselves in turn read the [letter that comes to you] from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, See that you discharge carefully [the duties of] the ministry and fulfill the stewardship which you have received in the Lord.
18 I, Paul, [add this final] greeting, writing with my own hand. Remember I am still in prison and in chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you! Amen (so be it).
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:10 Charles B. Williams, The New Testament: A Translation: A very strong verb—thus translated “give him a hearty welcome.”
- Colossians 4:12 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
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.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
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