Colossians 4
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
4 · ho Masters kyrios, treat parechō your ho slaves · ho justly dikaios and kai · ho fairly isotēs, knowing oida that hoti you hymeis too kai have echō a Master kyrios in en heaven ouranos.
2 Persevere proskartereō in ho prayer proseuchē, being vigilant grēgoreō in en it autos with en thanksgiving eucharistia. 3 At the same time hama, pray proseuchomai also kai for peri us hēmeis, that hina · ho God theos will open anoigō a door thura for our hēmeis · ho message logos, so that we may declare laleō the ho mystery mystērion of ho Christ Christos, for dia which hos · kai I am in chains deō; 4 that hina I may make phaneroō it autos known as hōs I egō should dei. 5 Conduct yourselves peripateō with en wisdom sophia toward pros · ho outsiders exō, making the most of exagorazō the ho time kairos. 6 · ho Your hymeis speech logos should always pantote be winsome en charis, seasoned artyō with salt halas, so that you will know oida how pōs you hymeis must dei answer apokrinomai each person heis.
7 Tychicus Tychikos, a ho beloved agapētos brother adelphos, · kai faithful pistos minister diakonos and kai fellow syndoulos servant in en the Lord kyrios, will tell gnōrizō you hymeis all pas the news ho about kata me egō. 8 I am sending pempō him hos to pros you hymeis for eis this houtos express purpose autos, that hina you may know ginōskō how ho peri we hēmeis are and kai that he may encourage parakaleō · ho your hymeis hearts kardia. 9 With syn him is Onesimus Onēsimos, the ho faithful pistos and kai beloved agapētos brother adelphos, who hos is eimi one ek of you hymeis; they will tell gnōrizō you hymeis about gnōrizō everything pas · ho here hōde.
10 Aristarchus Aristarchos, · ho my egō fellow synaichmalōtos prisoner , sends aspazomai you hymeis greetings aspazomai, as kai does Mark Markos, the ho cousin anepsios of Barnabas Barnabas ( about peri whom hos you received lambanō instructions entolē; if ean he comes erchomai to pros you hymeis, welcome dechomai him autos), 11 and kai Jesus Iēsous who ho is called legō Justus Ioustos. These houtos are eimi the ho only monos Jewish ek peritomē Christians among my fellow synergos workers for eis the ho kingdom basileia of ho God theos, and they hostis have been ginomai a comfort parēgoria to me egō. 12 Epaphras Epaphras, who ho is one ek of you hymeis and a servant of Christ Christos Jesus Iēsous, sends aspazomai you hymeis greetings aspazomai, always pantote laboring agōnizomai on hyper your hymeis behalf in en his ho prayers proseuchē, that hina you may stand histēmi firm in en everything pas that God theos wills thelēma, mature teleios and kai fully assured plērophoreō. · ho 13 For gar I bear him autos witness martyreō that hoti he has echō worked ponos tirelessly polys for hyper you hymeis and kai for those ho in en Laodicea Laodikeia and kai · ho in en Hierapolis Hierapolis. 14 Our ho dear friend agapētos Luke Loukas, the ho physician iatros, sends aspazomai you hymeis his greetings aspazomai, as kai does Demas Dēmas. 15 Give aspazomai my greetings to the ho brothers adelphos who are at en Laodicea Laodikeia as kai well as to Nympha and kai the ho church ekklēsia that meets in kata her autos house oikos. 16 And kai after hotan this ho letter epistolē has been read anaginōskō among para you hymeis, see poieō that hina it is read anaginōskō also kai in en the ho church ekklēsia of the Laodiceans Laodikeus, and kai that hina you hymeis read anaginōskō the ho one from ek Laodicea Laodikeia as kai well . 17 And kai tell legō Archippus Archippos, “ See blepō to it that hina you complete plēroō the ho ministry diakonia that hos you have received paralambanō in en the Lord kyrios.”
18 I, Paul Paulos, write this ho greeting aspasmos in ho my emos own hand cheir. Remember mnēmoneuō my egō · ho chains desmos. · ho Grace charis be with meta you hymeis.
Colossians 4
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 4
1 Masters, be just and fair in your treatment of your slaves, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Assiduous Prayer.[a] 2 Persevere in prayer, with alert minds and thankful hearts. 3 At the same time, pray for us too, so that God may open a door to us to proclaim the word, the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it as clearly as I should.
Christian Behavior.[b] 5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of your opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be gracious and seasoned with wisdom, so that you will know how to respond properly to all.
Conclusion
Tychicus and Onesimus.[c] 7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you will know how we are and that he may cheer your hearts. 9 He will be accompanied by Onesimus, our trustworthy and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything that has happened here.
10 Paul’s Coworkers. Aristarchus,[d] my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, make him welcome.) 11 And Jesus who is called Justus also greets you. Of all those who are of the circumcision, these are the only ones who are working with me for the kingdom of God, and they have been a great comfort to me.
12 Epaphras sends you greetings. He is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, and he is always pleading earnestly in his prayers on your behalf so that you may seek perfection and fulfill the will of God. 13 I can testify for him that he has worked tirelessly for you and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.[e] 14 Luke,[f] the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
15 Notes for the Laodiceans. Give my greetings to the brethren in Laodicea, and to Nymphas[g] and the Church in her house. 16 Then when this letter has been read to you, see to it that it is also read to the Church at Laodicea; and I ask you in turn to read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Also tell Archippus:[h] “See that you carry out fully the ministry that you received in the Lord.”
18 Paul’s Signature.[i] I, Paul, write this farewell in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:2 Prayer keeps the conscience watchful and revives the concern for the apostolate.
- Colossians 4:5 The behavior of Christians must serve as a sign to those who do not share their faith. The present period is the time of the Church, which must be regarded as a final time of grace, both short (see 1 Cor 7:29) and perilous (see Eph 5:16), in which human beings can open themselves to salvation while waiting for Christ’s Second Coming (see Gal 6:10).
- Colossians 4:7 Tychicus is assigned to carry the Letter to the Colossians. Onesimus, his companion, is the slave whom Paul has converted and is now sending back to Colossae, while recommending him to his former owner (Letter to Philemon). Also named are Mark, who was for a short time Paul’s associate in the apostolate and is generally regarded as the author of the Second Gospel; then Luke, to whom we owe the Third Gospel and the Book of Acts; and finally Epaphras, founder of the Church of Colossae. The Letter to the Laodiceans (v. 16) may be the Letter to the Ephesians, which probably circulated in the communities of the region.
- Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus: a native of Thessalonica and companion of Paul at Ephesus and on the journey to Macedonia (see Acts 19:29; 20:4).
- Colossians 4:13 Hierapolis: a town six miles from Laodicea and 14 miles from Colossae. Its Church may have been founded during Paul’s stay at Ephesus (Acts 19) but probably not by Paul himself (see Col 2:1).
- Colossians 4:14 Luke: this is the only place where the author of the Third Gospel is described as a medical doctor; see Philem 24 and 2 Tim 4:11. Demas: a Christian who later deserted Paul (2 Tim 4:10).
- Colossians 4:15 Nymphas: probably a Laodicean in whose house Christians met for church services. The early Church had no buildings of its own and so Christians were accustomed to meeting at the homes of individuals for instruction and services, e.g., Prisca and Aquila (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19), Philemon (Philem 2), and Mary the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12).
- Colossians 4:17 Archippus: perhaps the son of Philemon (Philem 2); he was to take care of the Church of Colossae in the absence of Epaphras.
- Colossians 4:18 Paul ordinarily dictated his Letters, but added to them a few words in his own hand (1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; 2 Thes 3:17).
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.
Colossians 4
New International Version
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(E) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(I) seasoned with salt,(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(K)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](M) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(N) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(R) the cousin of Barnabas.(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(U) who is one of you(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(X) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(Y) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(Z) the doctor, and Demas(AA) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AC)
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus:(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AF)
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AG) Remember(AH) my chains.(AI) Grace be with you.(AJ)
Footnotes
- Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
- Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
- Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
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