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
Revised Geneva Translation
4 Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a master in Heaven.
2 Be steadfast in prayer, watching with thanksgiving;
3 praying also for us that God may open a door of utterance to us to speak the mystery of Christ (because of which I am also in bonds);
4 that I should make it clear as it behooves me to speak.
5 Walk wisely toward those who are outside, rescuing lost time.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, having been seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each one.
7 Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, shall make known to you my whole state.
8 I have sent him to you for the same purpose, so that he might know your state and might comfort your hearts
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and a beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known to you all things here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you; and Marcus, Barnabas’ cousin (concerning whom you received the commandment: ‘If he comes to you, receive him.’);
11 and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision. They have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, the servant of Christ (who is one of you) greets you and always contends for you in prayers - that you may stand perfect and full in all the will of God.
13 For I bear witness of him, that he has a great zeal for you and for those of Laodicea and those of Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, greets you; and Demas.
15 Greet the brothers who are of Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this letter is read among you, have it read in the church of the Laodiceans also, and that you likewise read the letter written from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, ‘Pay attention to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.’
18 This greeting is by the hand of me, Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
(written from Rome to the Colossians, and sent by Tychicus and Onesimus.)
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