Colossians
Chapter 4
Overview
Paul closes his letter to the believers in Colossae while he is imprisoned. He begins with practical guidance about power, prayer, wise conduct, and gracious conversation. Then the chapter becomes warmly personal: trusted messengers will bring news, coworkers send greetings, and nearby congregations are asked to exchange letters. These names may feel like the credits at the end of a story, but they reveal a living network of friendship and shared work. Even in chains, Paul’s world remains surprisingly open—carried forward through prayer, hospitality, courage, and faithful people.
1Masters, give the people you enslave what is right and fair. Remember that you also have a master in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer. Stay alert as you pray, and be thankful.
3At the same time, pray for us. Ask God to open a door for our message, so that we can speak about the once-hidden plan concerning the Messiah. I am imprisoned because of this message.
4Pray that I will explain it clearly, as I should.
5Behave wisely toward people outside your community of faith, making the best use of every opportunity.
6Always speak graciously. Let your words have flavor, like food seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each person.
7Tychicus will tell you everything about my situation. He is a dear fellow believer, a faithful servant, and my fellow worker in serving the Lord.
8I am sending him to you for this very reason: so that you may learn how we are doing and so that he may encourage you.
9Onesimus is coming with him. He is a faithful and dear fellow believer, and he is one of you. Together they will tell you everything happening here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about Mark: if he comes to you, welcome him.
11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These three are Jewish believers. They are the only Jewish coworkers here working with me for God’s kingdom—his rule—and they have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of the Messiah, sends you greetings. He is always struggling for you in his prayers, asking that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident in everything God wants.
13I can confirm that he works very hard for you and for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the dear physician, sends you greetings, and so does Demas.
15Give our greetings to the fellow believers in Laodicea, to Nympha, and to the congregation that meets in her home.
16After this letter has been read among you, make sure it is also read in the congregation at Laodicea. You, in turn, should read the letter coming from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus, “Pay careful attention to the work of service you received from the Lord, and make sure you complete it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember that I am in chains. May God’s gracious favor be with you.