The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians

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- Chapter 4 -

You masters, supply your servants with what is just and equitable, knowing that you, too, have a Master in heaven.

Pursue prayer. Be watchful in prayer with acts of thanksgiving.(a)

Pray together, for us also, so that God may open a door of speech to us, so as to speak the mystery of Christ, (because of which, even now, I am in chains)

so that I may manifest it in the manner that I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming this age.

Let your speech be ever graceful, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to respond to each person.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

(Romans 16:21–23)

As for the things that concern me, Tychicus, a most beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that he may know the things that concern you, and may console your hearts,

with Onesimus, a most beloved and faithful brother, who is from among you. They shall make known to you everything that is happening here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, the near cousin of Barnabas, about whom you have received instructions, (if he comes to you, receive him)

and Jesus, who is called Justus, and those who are of the circumcision. These alone are my assistants, unto the kingdom of God; they have been a consolation to me.

Epaphras greets you, who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, ever solicitous for you in prayer, so that you may stand, perfect and complete, in the entire will of God.

For I offer testimony to him, that he has labored greatly for you, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for those at Hierapolis.

Luke, a most beloved physician, greets you, as does Demas.

Signature and Final Instructions

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

Greet the brothers who are at Laodicea, and Nymphas, and those who are at his house, a church.

And when this epistle has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and you should read that which is from the Laodiceans.(b)

And tell Archippus: “See to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, in order to fulfill it.”

The greeting of Paul by my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)4:2 This first phrase could also be translated as: ‘Stand in prayer,’ or ‘Be urgent in prayer,’ or ‘Keep prayer always near,’ or ‘Be ready to pray.’(Conte)

(b)4:16 And that you read that which is of the Laodiceans:What this epistle was is uncertain, and annotators have given different opinions concerning it. Some expound these words of an epistle which St. Paul wrote to the Laodiceans, and is since lost, for that now extant is no more than a collection of sentences out of the other epistles of St. Paul; therefore it cannot be considered even as a part of that epistle. Others explain that the text means a letter sent to St. Paul by the Laodiceans, which he sends to the Colossians to be read by them. However, this opinion does not seem well founded. Hence it is more probable that St. Paul wrote an epistle from Rome to the Laodiceans, about the same time that he wrote to the Colossians, as he had them both equally at heart, and that he ordered that epistle to be read by the Colossians for their instructions; and being neighbouring cities, they might communicate to each other what they had received from him; as one epistle might contain some matters not related in the other, and would be equally useful for their concern; and more particularly as they were equally disturbed by intruders and false teachers, against which the apostle was anxious to warn them, lest they should be infected by their pernicious doctrine.(Challoner)

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,

that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

(Romans 16:21–23)

All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Signature and Final Instructions

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.

When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.