BOOK 51 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

Colossians 4

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Colossians 4 Overview

Paul tells masters to give servants what is just and equal, knowing they also have a Master in heaven. He urges steadfast prayer, wise conduct toward outsiders, and gracious speech. The letter closes with a network of coworkers—Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nymphas, and Archippus—showing the relational character of gospel ministry.

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Before you read Colossians 4

Coming from

Because believers are risen with Christ, Paul tells them to seek things above, put sinful practices to death, and put off the old man’s habits. They are to put on compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, charity, peace, Scripture-filled worship, and gratitude. The chapter then applies Christian order to wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and work done unto the Lord.

In this chapter

Leads into

The canonical sequence continues into 1 Thessalonians.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The command to masters relativizes earthly power by placing masters themselves under Christ’s authority.

Paul’s closing names reveal that apostolic ministry was collaborative, local, transregional, and dependent on faithful messengers and prayer.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Prayer is central to gospel advance

Believers are told to continue in prayer and ask for open doors for the word.

Christian witness includes wise speech

Conversation with outsiders should be gracious and fitting.

Ministry is shared

Many named coworkers participate in communication, prayer, encouragement, and service.

Leadership remains accountable to Christ

Archippus is told to take heed to the ministry he received in the Lord.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Ephesians 6:18–20

Paul similarly asks prayer for boldness in gospel ministry.

Philemon 10–16

Onesimus reappears as a central figure in Paul’s appeal.

2 Timothy 4:10–11

Later Paul mentions Demas’s departure and Luke’s continued presence.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not isolate Colossians 4:6 into mere etiquette

Gracious speech serves Christian witness.

Do not treat named coworkers as incidental trivia

They reveal the real network by which ministry advanced.

Do not use authority structures to erase accountability

Masters and ministers alike answer to the Lord.

Read Colossians 4 watching for…

The Master-in-heaven statement.

The prayer request for an open door.

The instructions about speech.

The roles of Tychicus and Onesimus.

Every coworker named and what is said about them.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-6Masters are to act justly; believers are to continue in prayer and walk wisely toward outsiders with gracious speech 7-9Tychicus and Onesimus are sent to report and comfort the church 10-18Paul sends greetings from fellow workers and gives final instructions concerning Laodicea and Archippus

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

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

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:

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

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

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

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

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

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

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.

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.

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

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.

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

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. <<Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.>>

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Colossians 4:8

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