Colossians 4

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.