Colossians, Chapter 4
© Copyright 1997 Darroll Evans-all rights reserved

Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

This is addressed to those who have much responsibility.

Be fair in the way you treat those in your employment. 

This opening verse has a companion in Ephesians 6:9.

It tells "masters" not to threaten others.

Christian employers are to reflect the respect that has been shown to them.

“Give” means to hold near as we would something important to us.

Christian brothers and sisters are to be extremely important to us.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Christians are to continue diligently in prayer and watch with vigilance for Christ’s return.

Colossians 4:3 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:

We should strive to be consistent in our prayers.

In addition to our needs, we ought to pray that God will give us ample opportunity to carry the gospel of Christ.

At the time of this writing, Paul lived in a rented house under protective custody—not in chains.

Many see him as living life chained to a Roman soldier.

That opinion is born of ignorance.

The first thing we need to understand is that our view of those difficult times and Paul's are not in sync.

Paul saw the seemingly adverse circumstances as the things that happened to him for the furtherance of the gospel.

Due to false accusations, a small army guarded Paul for His safety. 

Acts 23:23---And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night.

Since it was illegal to bind a Roman citizen, it is highly unlikely that he was taken to Rome in chains, but it makes a good story.

The Captain of the Roman Guard that saved Paul's life in Jerusalem was in fear for his own life when he found that soldiers under his command had "bound" a Roman Citizen.

Acts 22:29---Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.  Such indiscretions were not taken lightly!

In Caesarea, Paul lived in a palace with a Roman Centurion (and presumably his company) to watch him.

However, during that time he could talk to whomever he wanted whenever he wanted.

Paul would have made a marvelous motivational speaker.

Instead of using this situation as an excuse for failure, it became an opportunity for success.

Did you notice that we are "to speak the mystery of Christ"?

The mystery of Christ is a mystery to the lost. 

Some attempt to politicize the mystery of Christ in order to gain superiority over other Christians.

They are the Nicolaitans that God hates (Revelation 2:6,15).

Colossians 4:4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

With most of us it is not a matter of speaking when we ought not.

It is a matter of not speaking when we should. 

We are to be prepared to speak "in season, and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

“Without” refers to those outside of the Church.

"Redeeming the time" speaks of using the time remaining to us wisely, or rescuing our time from loss.  Use your time wisely.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Speech (Gr. logos-logoV) as used here needs some thought.

The Greek language has more than one word to indicate speech. 

It is the same Greek word used to describe Christ Jesus in John, chapter 1. 

Our logos should project the Logos! 

Our words must be seasoned with godly salt.

Salt is a healing substance.

Salvation is a healing of the heart.  

Aside from presenting Christ through word and deed, Christians have no mission within society.

Colossians 4:7-8
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;

In some cases, Tychicus acted as Paul's personal representative.

He was given the responsibility of delivering this letter to the Church at Colosse.

He accompanied Onesimus back to Philemon.   

Colossians 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Onesimus was also of great help to Paul's ministry.

He was a runaway slave whose master was Philemon.

Onesimus is one of only three mentioned by Paul as being his sons in the Spirit (Philemon 10).

Colossians 4:10-11
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;)

Aristarchus went with Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 19).

He was also with Paul in Rome

Marcus is John Mark the one Paul rejected in Acts 15.

According to my understanding of this passage, he was Barnabas' nephew. 

The Gospel according to Mark is said to be the recollections of the Apostle Peter.

Colossians 4:11 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.

Jesus called Justus was a fellow Jewish Christian.

Colossians 4:12-13
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.

Epaphras may have been a founding father of the Church at Colosse.

The name Epaphras is a shortened form of Epaphroditus.

 Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Luke was Paul's beloved friend, a medical doctor, and the writer of both the Gospel according to Luke, and the Book of Acts.

Demas is one who, in years to come would desert Paul and the ministry (2 Timothy 4).

Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Nymphas is a Greek name that can be either feminine or masculine.

It all depends on where the accent is placed and is found is some manuscripts as masculine and some as feminine.

There seems to be some who think that Nymphas was a member of the Church at Colosse.

Others think Nymphas was a member of the Church at Laodicea.  Such is a small matter.

The main thing to remember is that Nymphas was a member of The Church.

Colossians 4:16 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.

The Church at Colosse was located about 11 miles from the Church at Leadicea.

It may have been accepted practice to trade letters of such importance.

Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Archippus was a leader in the Church at Colosse.

Just as many of us do, he occasionally needed a reminder concerning his work within the Church.

At least one scholar thinks that Archippus may have been the son of Philemon.

There is no historical evidence for that conclusion.

Colossians 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul wrote the last line himself.

He asked the Colossians to remember his "bonds."

Paul's "bonds" were in Christ. We should have the attitude.

As in other letters, Paul ends with a note of grace.

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