CHAPTER 4

(A.D. 64)

MASTERS

¹Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal (speaking to Christian Masters); knowing that you also have a Master in Heaven (presents the great principle on which all Christianity reposes).

PRAYER

²Continue in prayer (prayer should be a habit with every Believer), and watch in the same (dont let the habit of prayer be broken) with thanksgiving (most prayer should be made up of thanksgiving);

³Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance (reminds us that even though the spread of the Gospel is under Divine direction [Acts 16:7], it is also subject to Satanic hindrances [I Thess. 2:18]), to speak the Mystery of Christ (concerns that which had been previously hidden, but now has been made fully known the Cross and what it means), for which I am also in bonds (refers to Pauls imprisonment in Rome):

⁴That I may make it manifest (preach Christ), as I ought to speak (manifest Christ as Christ ought to be manifested).

⁵Walk in wisdom toward them who are without (refers to ordering ones behavior), redeeming the time (make wise and sacred use of every opportunity to present Christ).

⁶Let your speech be alway with Grace (gracious and pleasant), seasoned with salt (salt represents the incorruptible Word of God), that you may know how you ought to answer every man (as it regards Christ).

BRETHREN

⁷All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved Brother, and a faithful Minister and fellowservant in the Lord (this Brother was evidently with Paul in Rome, at least for a period of time):

⁸Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose (apparently, Tychicus had already left Rome to go to Colosse), that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts (implies the news Tychicus would bring about the Apostle; as well, he was entrusted with three Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, and the short note to Philemon);

⁹With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved Brother, who is one of you (a runaway slave, who has now found Christ, accompanies Tychicus). They shall make known unto you (the Church at Colosse) all things which are done here (Rome).

¹⁰Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you (is not known if Paul is speaking literally or spiritually concerning this man being a fellow-prisoner), and Marcus, sisters son to Barnabas (refers to John Mark, the writer of the Gospel which bears his name among the four Gospels; he was the cousin of Barnabas), (touching whom you received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (It is not known exactly what Paul meant here. At any rate, he is recommending this young man, which tells us that the problem they had had some years before was now made right [Acts 15:37-40].)

¹¹And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the Circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the Kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me (three Jews: Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus).

¹²Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you (probably the founder of the Colossian Church, who is now with Paul for a period of time), always labouring fervently for you in prayers (refers to strong intercession), that you may stand perfect and complete in all the Will of God (spiritual maturity).

¹³For I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them who are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. (Epaphras probably founded all three of these Churches, for these three towns were very close together.)

¹⁴Luke, the beloved physician (this is Luke, the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, plus the Book of Acts; we also learn here that he was a medical doctor, although it seems he no longer practiced his craft), and Demas, greet you. (Unfortunately, this man Demas, who had such a good beginning, lost his way [II Tim. 4:10].)

BENEDICTION

¹⁵Salute (greet) the Brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas (the Pastor, it seems, of the Church in Laodicea), and the Church which is in his house (almost all Churches then were located in houses).

¹⁶And when this Epistle (Colossians) is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans (history records the fact that many copies were made of these Epistles, which circulated among the Churches); and that you likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea. (This evidently refers to an Epistle lost to us.)

¹⁷And say to Archippus, Take heed to the Ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfil it. (This speaks of the same man mentioned in Philemon, Verse 2. Tradition says he was the son of Philemon, and maybe the Pastor of the Church that was in their house in the city of Colosse.)

¹⁸The salutation by the hand of me Paul (presents him, as stated, writing this closing word himself). Remember my bonds (in effect, he is asking for prayer that he will be released from prison). Grace be with you (the sum of the Gospel Message). Amen.