Colossians 4, Conclusions and Personal Notes

Paul began a list of relational instructions in Colossian 3:18.  That passage parallels Ephesians 5: 21-6:9.

Colossians 4: 1, Instructions to slave masters

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

The modern Christian is repelled by even an admission of the existence of slavery in the New Testament; I want Paul to say, "Masters -- FREE YOUR SLAVES!"  But Paul is not trying to directly shake up the socio-political environment in his letters; he is trying to get people, each in their current station, to submit to the Messiah and join the kingdom of God.  Paul's opinion on slavery will slip out in his letter to Philemon (studied here next week) when he gently requests the Philemon free his slave Onesimus.

Colossians 4: 2-4, Prayer requests

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  

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.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

When we pray, how are we to be "watchful"?

Colossians 4: 5-6, Thoughtful actions and conversations

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

"Outsiders" are presumably those outside the church, not yet in the kingdom of God.  Paul emphasizes wisdom and grace in actions and speech in friendships with those who do not yet know the Gospel.  

Colossians 4: 7-15, Personal greetings and instructions

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

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.)

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 proved a comfort to me.

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. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

This passage of personal, intimate instructions gives us lots of insight into Paul's letters.  They often have particular individuals in mind, strongly relational.  Although most of Paul's letters develop some type of theological, philosophical viewpoint, their main goal is to strengthen the life of individuals.

There are a number of now famous New Testament characters in this list, two of them authors of a Gospel, Mark and Luke.

The former slave, Onesimus, will also carry a letter to his former owner, Philemon.  That letter is the next in our study of Paul's epistles.

Colossians 4: 16-18, Focus on the things of Christ

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. 

 Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

This letter is not just for the church in Colossae but is to be passed around to nearby communities.

Paul has a final admonition to Archippus, to "hang in there!"  Then, as he did with the letter to the Galatians, Paul takes the pen from the scribe (Timothy?) writing down the letter and adds his own personal signature.