Colossians 4

1. If you are a leader, remember to be fair to those who work for you, do not forget that you also have a Heavenly Master.

You cannot rule unless you know how to be ruled. See also Ephesians 6:9.

2. Make it a habit to pray and keep your eyes open and be thankful as you pray.

Here are some examples of people who prayed with their eyes open: Nehemiah 4:9, Psalm 8:3, Mark 14:38, Acts 16:27 – 20

3. Please include us in your prayers, that God may open a door for us to bring the Gospel, and so that we can explain the mystery of Christ for which I am now in chains.

Notice how Paul humbled himself and was not embarrassed to ask for prayer. Many leaders think that they have to look like they are very strong and that asking for prayer would make them look weak.

In those days, Christians were thought of as a Jewish group. Paul wanted to explain that you do not have to become a Jew to be a Christian.

A wide door for lasting work has opened to me, and there are many enemies.
1 Corinthians 16:9. See also Ephesians 3:3.

4. And that I can make the Gospel clear and speak in the way that I should speak.

We have been sent to tell unbelievers that Jesus is the Son of God who paid the penalty for their sins on the cross and rose again to give them new life. We have not been sent to give them our personal convictions or beliefs.

5. Be wise in the way you act around those who are outside of Christ. Make the best use of your time.

This means that we should grab every opportunity to witness. We want our new life to be tasted by others
Those who are without Christ are without hope, without peace, without forgiveness. They look at our lives and try to find things to criticize to make an excuse for themselves.

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15. See also 1 Thessalonians 4:12.

6. Let the way you talk be full of grace. Use words that are salty to make them thirsty so that you can know how to answer every question.

An angry word could tear down our testimony in a minute. Speak in a way that makes people want to know more.

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking . Proverbs 15:28

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge interesting. Proverbs 15:2

See also Ephesians 4:29 ,1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 2:24.

7 – 8

Tychicus (a brother that we all love very much, and a faithful servant of the Lord) will tell you all about what is happening here. The reason I sent Tychicus to you is so that you can know how things are going with us and so that he can encourage you.

Tychicus Worked with Paul for many years. He was a very capable leader who was ready to replace Titus in Crete if needed. Titus 3:12

See also Ephesians 6:21 - 22

9. Onesimus (another one of the members of your church that everybody loves) is traveling with Tychicus. They will both tell you everything that is going on in Rome with me.

Here we see that Onesimus was a Christian working in the church of Colossae. Tradition says that Onesimus later became the pastor of the church.

10. Aristarchus (who is also in the prison here) says, “Hello!” and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. I told you before about Mark that if he comes to you make him welcome.

Aristarchus was dragged through the streets of Ephesus. Acts 19:29
He traveled to many cities with Paul. Acts 20:4

He was shipwrecked with Paul. Acts 27:2

History tells us that Aristarchus was killed by Nero.

We remember that Paul was not too sure about Mark being ready for the ministry, but later Paul says that Mark was a big help to him. Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36 – 41, 2 Timothy 4:11

11. Jesus-Justus is also here, with some other believing Jews, who work with me for the kingdom and what a help they have been to me!

Justus (his Hebrew name was translated as Joshua which has also been translated as Jesus in Greek) was a Jewish believer.

12 – 13

Epaphras, another member of your church, is a real servant of Jesus! He sends his greetings. He works hard for you, even while he is here, always praying passionately for you that you may become mature Christians and complete God's will for your lives. I can tell you, from watching him here, that he has a real passion for all of you in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Epaphras was a leader in the church who at one time was also in prison with Paul. See also Philemon 23.

14. Luke our much-loved doctor and Demas send their best wishes

This verse is how we know that Luke was a doctor, which explains his detailed desrciptions of sickness in the Gosple of Luke and the Book of Acts.

Here is all we know about the life of Demas:

Fellow-worker - Philemon 24
Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me - 2 Timothy 4:10

From the time that Paul wrote Colossians to the time that he wrote 2 Timothy was not a very long time. Since 2 Timothy was written during the time when Nero was throwing Christians to the lions, we can understand why Demas was afraid.

It might seem like a person does something in a spirit of fear suddenly but the seeds of fear were planted long before and all of a sudden they bring fruit.

Do not be afraid of sudden fear. Proverbs 3:25

15. Give my own greetings to the Christians in Laodicea. Say, “Hello!” to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

Some Bible teachers believe that Nympha's church was in Hierapolis and that Paul did not want to forget to send a greeting to this church also.

Papias was the pastor at Hierapolis. He was a student of the apostle John. He visited Philip's daughters and asked them to tell him the exact words of Jesus. He wrote a book called “An Explanation of the Lord's Words.” He was killed in Pergamum for his faith in Christ.

16. After you read this letter to the church see that the Laodiceans read it in their church and then you read the letter that I wrote to Laodicea.

Some people say that this letter to the Laodiceans is Ephesians. This verse is where we get the idea that the letters of the New Testament were passed from church to church and copies were made. Acts 20:4, Ephesians 6:21 – 22

17. Here is a quick note to Archippus: Remember the Lord ordained you to your ministry. Do not be afraid to work in that ministry.

Pay attention to the ministry you have been called to -do not be a Jonah. See also Philemon 2.

18. My personal greeting to all of you, written by myself to all. Do not forget that I am in prison. Grace be with all of you!

Paul is not asking people to feel sorry for him, but to remember why he is in prison.