Colossians Chapter 4
The last chapter of Colossians is a lot about the fellow labourers with Paul, working for the Gospel with him, bringing communications, reports back and forth to brethren in the field, bringing comfort and relief to Paul and those in the other cities, countries. It shows a heart of appreciation and a personal touch from a man who once told others to stone Stephen, kill many believers in Christ. It shows a heart reversed, changed to be the opposite of what it was, by grace through faith.
(Colossians 4:1 [KJV])
Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- Master or servant, husband, wife or child, friend, co-worker, stranger, you will glorify God if you obey and treat others the way God wants you to
- This is even if they do not requite you because it is for God, not us
- THis is also because God is our master, no matter how important we think we are, what position or title
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal 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:
- Praying without ceasing, continuing in prayer. That is nonstop talking to God
- Being thankful, always a good thing. God has been good to us for certain
- Withal here means likewise, at the same time you are praying with a thankful heart, praying or others, praying for yourself, please include us
- Paul's request? Furtherance of the Gospel, even while in prison
- That God would open a door...without which no one can or would hear that Gospel
- It must be remembered that, when god opens that door, no man can shut it. When God closes it, no man can open it.
WITHAL, adv. Withaul. [with and all.]
- With the rest; together with; likewise; at the same time. If you choose that, then I am yours withal. How modest in exception, and withal how terrible in constant resolution!
- It is sometimes used for with. But the word is not elegant, nor much used.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
(Colossians 4:4 [KJV])
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
- Paul is asking for boldness here, as we all should ask, because we all need it.
- In ancient Rome, in the empire, "manifest" was liable to bring persecution, imprisonment, death in the public square.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- Wisdom only comes from God and His Word, not from man, not from the world. Paul often spoke of this, and the difference
- Paul's time, our time, short. Life is like a vapor.
Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
- One can only do this when they have the truth and never without it.
- Grace=unmerited favor. Salt=preservative (preserves relationships)
- This is gingerly proclaiming God's Word
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, [who is] a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
- This is the epitome of fellowship, communication, brotherly love
- A faithful minister, not just a minister.
- A fellow servant, working WITH Paul, on the same page, in agreement, with the same goal(s)
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
- Paul wanted a report back, and those doing the work in his absence would be encouraged
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known unto you all things which [are done] here.
- Onesimus was a bondservant to Philemon, hence the instructions given here
ONESIMUS
(Philemon 1:10 [KJV])
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
MATTHEW HENRY
"II. Concerning Onesimus (v. 9): With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. He was sent back from Rome along with Tychicus. This was he whom Paul had begotten in his bonds, Philem. 10. He had been servant to Philemon, and was a member, if not a minister, of their church. He was converted at Rome, whither he had fled from his master's service; and was now sent back, it is probable, with the epistle to Philemon, to introduce him again into his master's family. Observe, Though he was a poor servant, and had been a bad man, yet, being now a convert, Paul calls him a faithful and beloved brother. The meanest circumstance of life, and greatest wickedness of former life, make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians: they partake of the same privileges, and are entitles to the same regards. The righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is unto all and upon all those that believe; for there is no difference (Rom. iii. 22): and there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus, Gal. iii. 28. Perhaps this was some time after he was converted and sent back to Philemon, and by this time he had entered into the ministry, because Paul calls him a brother."
(Colossians 4:10 [KJV])
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
- Aristarchus was also called of Paul a fellowlabourer (Philemon 1:24 below)
- Paul is saying of him, "He's with us, take him in
- Barnabas was a companion of Paul, so Marcus his nephew would be like family as well
- The phrase "touching whom" here means "about whom"
ARISTARCHUS
(Acts 19:29 [KJV])
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
(Acts 20:4 [KJV])
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
(Acts 27:2 [KJV])
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; [one] Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
(Colossians 4:10 [KJV])
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
(Philemon 1:24 [KJV])
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
(Colossians 4:11 [KJV])
And 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.
- The name Justus is of Latin origin, meaning just and fair. It is actually the Latin word for justice.
- "Of the circumcision"....Jewish.
- The only ones who were of comfort to Paul, meaning that there were others who either did nothing to comfort, encourage-or opposed him
Epaphras, 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. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them [that are] in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
- Paul called him a fellowservant and fellowprisoner in the Gospel
- In prison, sharing, in prison for sharing as a citizen of that very city
- Here he is called a servant of Christ, for Whom he is in prison, for Whom he worked
- Another supporting, constant prayer warrior, asking for strength for the ministers.
- Great zeal...today called a zealot in a mocking attitude, then a badge of honour
EPAPHRAS
(Colossians 1:7 [KJV])
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
(Philemon 1:23 [KJV])
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
(Colossians 4:14 [KJV])
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
- Physicians were considered the lowest of the low in those days
- Not by Paul and the like. A true Christian respects a street sweeper, janitor, garbage man, farm hand, factory worker, etc.
- Demas later rejected Paul and went back into the world, perhaps to labor for personal gain, hard to say
DEMAS
(2 Timothy 4:10 [KJV])
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
(Philemon 1:24 [KJV])
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
(Colossians 4:15 [KJV])
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
- Nymphas is only mentioned here in this one verse of Scripture; therefore little is known of him
- It must surely be noted that this "church which is in his house" is a proper one, now soon the only type of church gathering available here in the U.S. when the persecution hits
- It is a staple in many other places on earth, and works very well. Food, fellowship, the Word, prayer.
And 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.
- Back and forth communication, verbal, not just in writing
- Paul wrote it to many and wants many to hear it, to be encouraged by it
- It must be remembered that in the following years, even decades, Laodicea had fallen into deep apostasy (Revelation 3)
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
- Some people need warnings, counsel on how to conduct, to walk, to minister, to learn and to teach.
- Some need warnings to continue doing this, making them good stewards over the ministry God gave them
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen.
- It has been said that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was perhaps his eyes, perhaps something else.
- Whichever it was, it is noted here that this might have been unusual for him to hand write much, having others do that for him while he dictated
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
(2 Thessalonians 3:17 [KJV])
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(1 Corinthians 16:21 [KJV])
The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand.
(Galatians 6:11 [KJV])
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
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