What is the meaning of Colossians 4?

Introduction to Colossians 4

Colossians 4 serves as the compelling conclusion to Paul’s profound letter to the Colossian believers, weaving together practical exhortations with deeply personal touches that reveal the heart of early Christian community life. This chapter transitions from the theological heights of the previous chapters to the everyday reality of living out faith in the Messiah, addressing prayer, evangelism, and the importance of gracious speech. The intensely personal nature of Paul’s closing greetings provides a fascinating window into the interconnected nature of the first-century church and the deep bonds that united believers across geographical and cultural boundaries.

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What makes this chapter particularly significant is how it demonstrates that the lofty theological truths explored earlier in the letter must find practical expression in daily life and relationships. Through Paul’s final instructions and personal greetings, we see how the cosmic supremacy of the Messiah discussed in earlier chapters transforms ordinary human interactions and responsibilities.

Context of Colossians 4

This final chapter sits within the practical application section of Paul’s letter, following his masterful exposition of the Messiah’s supremacy and sufficiency in chapters 1-2 and his teaching on the new life in the Messiah in chapter 3. The immediate context shows Paul moving from household codes to broader congregational responsibilities, emphasizing how the transformed life in the Messiah affects both private and public behavior.

Within the broader biblical narrative, Colossians 4 connects to similar concluding sections in other Pauline epistles, particularly Ephesians 6:21-22, which shares remarkably similar language regarding Tychicus. This parallel demonstrates the interconnected nature of Paul’s ministry and his consistent concern for personal relationships and practical discipleship. The chapter’s emphasis on prayer and evangelistic wisdom echoes themes found throughout Scripture, from Solomon’s prayer for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9 to Yeshua’s teachings on persistent prayer in Luke 18:1.

The greetings section provides valuable historical context for understanding the network of relationships that sustained the early church, showing how the gospel transcended social, ethnic, and geographical boundaries to create a new community united in the Messiah.

Ancient Key Word Study

• προσκαρτερεῖτε (proskartereitē) – “continue steadfastly” (v.2): This compound word combines pros (toward) with kartereō (to be strong), suggesting persistent, devoted attention. Used in Acts 1:14 to describe the disciples’ devotion to prayer, it implies both persistence and passionate commitment.
• γρηγοροῦντες (grēgorountes) – “being watchful” (v.2): Related to ἐγείρω (to wake up), this term carries military connotations of staying alert on guard duty. Its use in prayer contexts suggests spiritual alertness and readiness for divine communication.
• περιπατεῖτε (peripateitē) – “walk” (v.5): A common Hebraic metaphor for lifestyle or conduct, this verb literally means “to walk around.” Its use here emphasizes the daily, practical nature of Christian wisdom in relating to outsiders.
• ἠρτυμένος (ērtymenos) – “seasoned” (v.6): From ἀρτύω, meaning to prepare or season food, this perfect passive participle suggests speech that has been carefully prepared with spiritual wisdom, making it palatable and beneficial to hearers.
• σύνδουλος (syndoulos) – “fellow servant” (v.7): This compound word combines syn (with) and doulos (slave/servant), emphasizing shared devotion and service to the Messiah. Used twice in Colossians, it reflects the equality of believers regardless of social status.
• ἀγωνιζόμενος (agōnizomenos) – “struggling” (v.12): From the athletic arena, this term describes intense effort and focused striving. Epaphras’s prayer for the Colossians is portrayed as spiritual warfare requiring sustained effort.
• πληροφορημένοι (peplērophorēmenoi) – “fully assured” (v.12): This perfect passive participle suggests complete confidence or full conviction, implying a state of spiritual maturity and understanding of God’s will.
• μνημονεύετέ (mnēmoneuete) – “remember” (v.18): More than mere recall, this verb implies mindful attention and continued concern, particularly regarding Paul’s chains and the responsibility of the church toward imprisoned believers.

Compare & Contrast

• The command to “continue steadfastly” in prayer (v.2) employs προσκαρτερεῖτε rather than the simpler προσεύχομαι (pray), emphasizing the sustained, intensive nature of the prayer life Paul envisions. This choice reflects the Hebrew concept of תָּמִיד (tamid), suggesting continual, regular devotion.
• In verse 5, Paul’s instruction about walking in wisdom uses περιπατεῖτε instead of more static terms like διάγω (conduct oneself), connecting to the rich Hebrew metaphor of הָלַךְ (walking) as a description of lifestyle and emphasizing the dynamic, progressive nature of Christian witness.
• The description of speech as “seasoned with salt” (v.6) employs ἠρτυμένος rather than terms like καρυκεύω (season with sauce) or ἡδύνω (make pleasant), drawing on salt’s covenant implications in Jewish thought and its preservative properties.
• The term “fellow servant” (σύνδουλος) in verse 7 was chosen over alternatives like διάκονος (minister) or ὑπηρέτης (helper), emphasizing shared submission to the Messiah rather than hierarchical relationships within the church.
• Paul’s use of ἀγωνιζόμενος (struggling) for Epaphras’s prayers (v.12) rather than milder terms like προσεύχομαι (pray) or δέομαι (request) emphasizes the intense spiritual warfare aspect of intercessory prayer.
• The instruction to “remember my chains” (v.18) uses μνημονεύετε instead of simple μιμνήσκομαι (recall), suggesting active, continued remembrance with practical implications for support and intercession.
• The reference to the “completion” (πληροφορημένοι) of God’s will (v.12) employs a term suggesting full assurance rather than simpler terms like τελέω (complete) or τελειόω (perfect), emphasizing both the objective and subjective aspects of spiritual maturity.

Colossians 4 Unique Insights

The chapter’s emphasis on prayer reflects interesting parallels with Jewish prayer practices of the time. The Rabbinic tradition of praying three times daily (Daniel 6:10) provides context for Paul’s emphasis on “continuing steadfastly” in prayer. The Dead Sea Scrolls community similarly emphasized watchfulness in prayer, though their practice was more rigidly structured than Paul’s more Spirit-led approach.

Early church father Origen saw in Paul’s instruction about speech being “seasoned with salt” a connection to the Levitical salt covenant (Leviticus 2:13). He interpreted this as meaning Christian speech should preserve truth and prevent moral corruption while making the gospel palatable to hearers. This interpretation gained widespread acceptance in patristic literature and influenced medieval understandings of Christian rhetoric.

The mention of Onesimus alongside Tychicus (v.9) provides fascinating insight into early Christian social dynamics. Here, a runaway slave is called a “faithful and beloved brother,” demonstrating how the gospel transformed social relationships. Archaeological evidence from first-century Colossae suggests significant slave populations, making this public acknowledgment particularly powerful.

The greetings section reveals an early Christian network that transcended usual social boundaries. The mention of Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus as “the only ones of the circumcision” working with Paul provides insight into the tensions and bridges being built between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church.

The reference to the “letter from Laodicea” has generated much scholarly discussion. Some early church traditions identified this with the letter to the Ephesians, while others suggested it was a now-lost epistle. The instruction to exchange letters between churches provides early evidence for the circulation of apostolic writings.

Colossians 4 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s emphasis on prayer and watchfulness echoes Yeshua’s own teachings about prayer and spiritual alertness, particularly in Mark 13:33-37. The call to seasoned speech reflects His teaching that His followers are to be “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). This connection shows how Paul’s practical instructions flow from the Messiah’s own ministry and teaching.

The transformation of relationships evident in the greetings section demonstrates the practical outworking of Yeshua’s prayer for unity in John 17:20-23. The inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free persons, in Paul’s circle of coworkers shows how the Messiah’s death and resurrection created a new humanity that transcends traditional barriers.

Moreover, the emphasis on making the most of opportunities for witness (v.5) connects to Yeshua’s great commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The instruction about gracious speech seasoned with salt reflects His own perfect blend of truth and grace (John 1:14).

Colossians 4 Scriptural Echoes

The emphasis on watchful prayer echoes numerous Old Testament passages, particularly Psalm 130:6 where the psalmist watches for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning. The imagery of seasoned speech recalls both the salt covenant of Leviticus 2:13 and the wisdom literature’s emphasis on appropriate speech (Proverbs 25:11).

Paul’s request for prayer for an open door for the word connects to prophetic imagery of God opening doors (Isaiah 45:1). The emphasis on walking in wisdom toward outsiders echoes Solomon’s prayer for wisdom to lead God’s people (1 Kings 3:9).

The concern for proper speech and witness to outsiders reflects themes from Psalm 119:46 about speaking God’s testimonies before kings. The emphasis on understanding God’s will fully connects to prophetic promises about the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Colossians 4 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our prayer life and our witness to those outside the faith. Are we “continuing steadfastly” in prayer with thanksgiving, or do we pray sporadically and without focused attention? The call to watchfulness in prayer invites us to maintain spiritual alertness, expecting God to work while being ready to participate in His purposes.

The instruction about wise conduct and gracious speech toward outsiders remains incredibly relevant. In our increasingly polarized world, how can we ensure our speech is “seasoned with salt,” preserving truth while making the gospel attractive to those who don’t yet know the Messiah? This requires both wisdom and grace, qualities we can only develop through close communion with Him.

The personal greetings remind us that faith is lived out in community. We see how Paul valued and appreciated his co-workers, naming them and acknowledging their contributions. This challenges us to recognize and encourage those who labor alongside us in the gospel, building authentic relationships that transcend social barriers through our shared devotion to the Messiah.

Did You Know

• The mention of “salt” in verse 6 connects to ancient Near Eastern customs where salt was not only a preservative but also a symbol of covenant loyalty and friendship, making Paul’s metaphor about speech particularly rich in meaning.
• The instruction to “make the most of every opportunity” in verse 5 uses a Greek marketplace term (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι) that literally means “buying up,” suggesting strategic investment in evangelistic opportunities.
• Archippus, mentioned in verse 17, may have been the son of Philemon and Apphia, according to early church traditions, making the connection between the Colossian and Philemon letters even more personal.
• The reference to Luke as “the beloved physician” (v.14) is the only explicit mention in Scripture of Luke’s profession, providing important biographical information about the author of the third Gospel and Acts.
• The mention of a letter “from Laodicea” has led to centuries of speculation, with some early church fathers suggesting it might have been the letter we now know as Ephesians.
• The practice of exchanging letters between churches, evidenced in verse 16, played a crucial role in the formation and circulation of what would become the New Testament canon.
• Archaeological discoveries have shown that Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (all mentioned in the letter) formed a triangle of cities in the Lycus Valley, each only a few miles from the others.
• The command to “remember my chains” was likely written by Paul’s own hand (v.18), making it particularly poignant as he probably had to lift his chained hand to write these final words.
• Mark’s mention alongside Paul (v.10) shows a beautiful reconciliation, as this is the same Mark who had earlier abandoned Paul’s mission team (Acts 15:37-39).
• The reference to Epaphras’s “struggling” in prayer uses language from the athletic arena (ἀγωνιζόμενος), the same root word from which we get “agony,” suggesting intense spiritual warfare.