Colossians 4: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time

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Parent Category: Division 6. Letters-Paul
Category: Colossians
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  2. Chapter & Audio
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Colossians chapter 4: Walk In Wisdom Toward Those Who Are Outside, Redeeming The Time

Colossians chapter 4 focuses on prayer, living wisely, and the importance of building positive relationships, both in the world, and in the body of Christ.

It ends with a series of personal greetings, and instructions.

Bible Study/Commentary & Verses

Verse 1: Instructions for Masters

The chapter opens with a command to masters, reminding them to provide their slaves with what is right and fair, acknowledging that they also have a Master in heaven.

Verses 2-6: Devote Yourselves to Prayer

Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer, and being watchful and thankful.

He asks for prayers for himself, and his companions as well, that God may open a door for the gospel of Christ.

He also advises the Colossians, to conduct themselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity, and to let their conversation, always be full of grace, seasoned with salt.

Verses 7-18: Final Greetings

The rest of the chapter contains personal greetings, and instructions.

Paul mentions Tychicus and Onisimus who will inform the Colossians about his situation.

He sends greetings from Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas.

He instructs the Colossians to welcome Onisimus and Mark, and to read the letter that he sent to the Laodiceans.

He wants the Laodiceans to read his letter, that he had sent to the Colossians as well.

He tells Archippus, to complete the ministry that he had received in the Lord.

He signs off with a personal handwritten greeting and a request for remembrance in their prayers.

Overall Summary

Colossians chapter 4 provides practical instructions about prayer, wise living, and building relationships.

It underscores the importance of prayer for the personal life of believers, as well as the spread of the gospel.

It also highlights the necessity of wise conduct, and being gracious with non-believers.

The chapter closes with personal greetings, showing the connections that Paul had with many other believers.

 

 

Colossians  4

Final Greetings

4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Final Greetings

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

 

Q&A

  1. a. What are masters to give to their bondservants? 4:1
    b. Why are they to do this? 4:1
    c. How are we to continue in prayer? 4:2
    d. What did Paul ask them to pray for? 4:3-4
    • 1 Masters, give your bondservants
      what is just and fair,
      knowing that you also
      have a Master in heaven.
    • 2 Continue earnestly in prayer,
      being vigilant in it
      with thanksgiving;
    • 3 meanwhile praying also for us,
      that God would open to us
      a door for the word,
      to speak
      the mystery of Christ,
      for which I am also in chains,
    • 4 that I may make it manifest,
      as I ought to speak.
  2. a. How are we to walk toward those who are outside? 4:5
    b. How and when are we to season our speech? 4:6
    • 5 Walk in wisdom
      toward those who are outside,
      redeeming the time.
    • 6 Let your speech always
      be with grace,
      seasoned with salt,
      that you may know
      how you ought to answer
      each one.
  3. a. Why was Paul sending Tychicus? 4:7-8
    b. Who would be coming with him? 4:9
    c. What would they make known? 4:9
    • 7 Tychicus, a beloved brother,
      faithful minister,
      and fellow servant in the Lord,
      will tell you all the news about me.
    • 8 I am sending him to you
      for this very purpose,
      that he may know your circumstances
      and comfort your hearts,
    • 9 with Onesimus,
      a faithful and beloved brother,
      who is one of you.
      They will make known to you
      all things which are happening here.
  4. a. Who sent their greetings? 4:10
    b. What did these men of the circumcision, prove to be for Paul? 4:11
    • 10 Aristarchus
      my fellow prisoner greets you,
      with Mark the cousin of Barnabas
      (about whom you received instructions:
      if he comes to you, welcome him),
    • 11 and Jesus
      who is called Justus.
      These are my only fellow workers
      for the kingdom of God
      who are of the circumcision;
      they have proved to be a comfort to me.
  5. a. How did Epaphras labor for them? 4:12
    b. Who did Epaphras have great zeal for? 4:13
    c. What did Luke the beloved physician and Demas send? 4:14
    d. Who did Paul ask them to greet? 4:15
    • 12 Epaphras, who is one of you,
      a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
      always laboring fervently
      for you in prayers,
      that you
      may stand perfect
      and complete
      in all the will of God.
    • 13 For I bear him witness
      that he has a great zeal for you,
      and those who are in Laodicea,
      and those in Hierapolis.
    • 14 Luke the beloved physician
      and Demas greet you.
    • 15 Greet the brethren
      who are in Laodicea,
      and Nymphas
      and the church that is in his house.
  6. a. Who was supposed to read this letter? 4:16
    b. What other letter were they supposed to read? 4:16
    c. What were they to say to Archippus? 4:17
    d. How did Paul close this letter? 4:18
    • 16 Now when this epistle is read among you,
      see that it is read also
      in the church of the Laodiceans,
      and that you likewise
      read the epistle from Laodicea.
    • 17 And say to Archippus,
      “Take heed to the ministry
      which you have received in the Lord,
      that you may fulfill it.”
    • 18 This salutation
      by my own hand—Paul.
      Remember my chains.
      Grace be with you.
      Amen.