The Bible — World English Bible
Colossians 4
In brief
Colossians 4 concludes Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. Paul first addresses masters, then urges the church to persevere in prayer and to pray that God will open a door for him to proclaim Christ. He then invites them to live wisely toward outsiders, with speech full of grace. The end of the chapter is a list of greetings: Tychicus, Onesimus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke and other coworkers. It shows that God's work rests on real people who are faithful in their service.
The chapter in 5 parts
- v. 1A word to masters: be just, because they have a Master in heaven
- v. 2-4Persevere in prayer and ask for an open door for the gospel
- v. 5-6Wisdom toward outsiders and speech seasoned with salt
- v. 7-17Paul's companions: Tychicus, Onesimus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke and Archippus
- v. 18Final greeting in Paul's own hand
1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
3praying 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,
4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
11and 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.
12Epaphras, 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.
13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
16When 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.
17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Key verses
Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
Paul joins perseverance and thankfulness: prayer lasts over time and is not reduced to a list of requests. To be watchful means staying alert, without falling asleep spiritually.
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.
Even in prison, Paul does not ask first for prayer for his release, but that God would open a door for the word and that he could proclaim Christ as he should.
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.
Witness comes through conduct and through words. Speech with grace and seasoned with salt is pleasant and full of substance, and it knows how to answer each person according to their situation.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
Mark, who had once let Paul down, is mentioned again among his coworkers. The verse shows that failure is not the last word and that the Church must know how to welcome people back.
Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
Paul asks that Archippus be reminded to fulfill the ministry he received in the Lord. Responsibility comes from the Lord and calls for faithfulness.
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Frequently asked questions about Colossians 4
What does speech seasoned with salt mean in Colossians 4:6?
In verse 6, Paul asks for speech accompanied by grace, meaning kind, and seasoned with salt, meaning full of flavor and substance. It is not about flattering or shocking: we need to know how to answer each person with kindness and truth, especially those who do not share our faith.
What is the message of Colossians 4?
The chapter invites us to a life of persevering prayer, a wise witness toward outsiders and faithfulness in service. The greetings also show that the gospel moves forward thanks to a team of different people, some of whom, like Mark, have known failure.
Who is Epaphras in Colossians 4?
Epaphras is a believer from Colossae, a servant of Christ Jesus and a companion of Paul. He is at the origin of the church in Colossae, and Paul testifies that he struggles in prayer for them so that they stand firm in the will of God.
Articles quoting Colossians 4
- 20 Bible Verses for Job Hunting in Japan: Anxiety, Interviews and Rejection
- 20 Bible Verses for Small Business Owners: Integrity, Diligence and Trust in God
- Acts 28: Paul Needed Brothers at His Side
- Philemon: A Concrete Faith That Goes Beyond Our Rights
- Epaphras: Who Are You Becoming While You Wait?
- Matthew 5: A Radical Call to Be Salt and Light
World English Bible translation — public domain.