Fellow Workers
1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3Withal 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: 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Final Greetings
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And 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. 12Epaphras, 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. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Sharing This Letter
16And 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. 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The 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.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Prayerful Speech and Actions
1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 3 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; 4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
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.
Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers
(Romans 16:21–23)
7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, 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. 13 For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
Signature and Final Instructions
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)
15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.
16 When 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. 17 Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18 The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Prayerful Speech and Actions
1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, 3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers
(Romans 16:21–23)
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
Signature and Final Instructions
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
16 After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. a
Footnotes:
18 a BYZ and TR include Amen.
Fellow Workers
1The masters! that which is righteous and equal to the servants give ye, having known that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
2In the prayer continue ye, watching in it in thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the secret of the Christ, because of which also I have been bound, 4that I may manifest it, as it behoveth me to speak;
5in wisdom walk ye toward those without, the time forestalling; 6your word always in grace -- with salt being seasoned -- to know how it behoveth you to answer each one.
Final Greetings
7All the things concerning me make known to you shall Tychicus -- the beloved brother, and faithful ministrant, and fellow-servant in the Lord -- 8whom I did send unto you for this very thing, that he might know the things concerning you, and might comfort your hearts, 9with Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you; all things to you shall they make known that are here.
10Salute you doth Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, and Marcus, the nephew of Barnabas, (concerning whom ye did receive commands -- if he may come unto you receive him,) 11and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are fellow-workers for the reign of God who did become a comfort to me. 12Salute you doth Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God, 13for I do testify to him, that he hath much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14Salute you doth Lukas, the beloved physician, and Demas; 15salute ye those in Laodicea -- brethren, and Nymphas, and the assembly in his house;
Sharing This Letter
16and when the epistle may be read with you, cause that also in the assembly of the Laodiceans it may be read, and the epistle from Laodicea that ye also may read; 17and say to Archippus, 'See to the ministration that thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou mayest fulfil it.'
18The salutation by the hand of me, Paul; remember my bonds; the grace is with you. Amen.
The Favor of God paraphrase
Instructions for Masters
¹ Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful! ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹ He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Footnotes:
1.“Devote yourselves to prayer” (verse 2) conveys a sense of continuous and persistent prayer. The Greek verb proskartereo implies dedication and perseverance in prayer, emphasizing that it should be an ongoing practice.
2.“Mystery of Christ” (verse 3) refers to God’s plan of salvation through Jesus, which was hidden in ages past but has now been revealed to both Jews and Gentiles. The word mysterion highlights something that is known only because God has chosen to make it known.
3.“Seasoned with salt” (verse 6) is an idiomatic expression meaning that conversations should be thoughtful and full of wisdom, preserving the truth while adding flavor. In the ancient world, salt was used for both preserving food and enhancing its taste, symbolizing wisdom and grace in speech.
4.“Onesimus” (verse 9) was a runaway slave who became a Christian under Paul’s guidance. His return to Colossae alongside Tychicus symbolizes reconciliation and the transformative power of the gospel, as detailed further in the letter to Philemon.
5.“Epaphras” (verse 12) is noted as a faithful servant and prayer warrior. The Greek phrase agonizomenos en tais proseuchais suggests that his prayers are like wrestling or struggling on behalf of the believers, emphasizing his deep spiritual concern for their well-being.
6.“Luke, the doctor” (verse 14) refers to the same Luke who authored the Gospel of Luke and Acts. His role as a physician is highlighted here, showing his unique place among Paul’s companions and his vital contribution to the early church.
7.“Letter from Laodicea” (verse 16) could refer to a lost letter that Paul wrote, or possibly the letter we know as Ephesians. Paul encouraged the sharing of letters between churches to ensure all received the teaching and encouragement contained within them.
