Chapter 4
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
As noted before, this was a poor chapter division.
The advice given to masters is to justice and fairness, and a reminder that they have their own master in Heaven and they too will face judgement.
Further Instructions
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; …
Paul again exhorts them to the Colossians to continual prayer and continual thanksgiving.
… 3 and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, 4 that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.
Paul asks for their prayers in his own missionary effort.
Here Paul again indicates that he’s in prison (or possibly house arrest).
Paul wants to speak as he should. How many times do we compromise ourselves?
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
Those outside of their congregation.
The “making the most of the time” doesn’t mean hedonism. It means making the most in terms of real (heavenly) value.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.
Paul just asked for their prayers concerning his speech and he now gives them some direction. Scripture has much to say about control of speech.
The phrase “seasoned with salt” alludes to Jesus’ words about “salt of the earth”. Brings taste. Pure.
Final Greetings and Benediction
7 Tych′icus will tell you all about my affairs; he is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
Tychicus is delivering the letter.
He’s a minister of the Gospel.
8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, …
Paul sent Tychicus to them.
…9 and with him One′simus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of yourselves. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
Paul also sent Onesimus, the runaway slave to the Colossians.
Paul now gives his farewell greetings…
10 Aristar′chus my fellow prisoner greets you, …
Aristarchus is in captivity with Paul.
…and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, receive him), …
Mark is the one referenced in Acts.
…11 and Jesus who is called Justus.
Don’t know anything about this guy. Probably has another name to disambiguate with the Lord.
These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
The “men of the circumcion” are Jews
12 Ep′aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in La-odice′a and in Hi-erap′olis.
Epaphras was mentioned earlier. He’s a Colossian. Quite possibly involved in the founding of the Church at Colossae. Paul indicates that he has ministered in the two neighbouring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician…
The one from Acts and the author of Luke
…and Demas greet you.
For more background.
15 Give my greetings to the brethren at La-odice′a, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
Paul sends greetings to the neighbouring city.
16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the La-odice′ans; and see that you read also the letter from La-odice′a.
Paul asks that his letter is read there too. This is how the New Testament was spread.
17 And say to Archip′pus, “See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”
A presbyter at Laodicea?
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my fetters. Grace be with you.
Paul often did this.