# Colossians 04 📖: Prayer and Faithful Partners [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Colossians Overview]] | [[Colossians 03]] | [[1 Thessalonians 01]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ### Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission **Principle**: Devoted to God and each other. [[#Verse 01.]] Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven. [[#Verse 02.]] Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  [[#Verse 03.]] At the same time prayfor us too, that God may open a door for the message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  [[#Verse 04.]] Pray that I may make it known as I should.  [[#Verse 05.]] Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.  [[#Verse 06.]] Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. ### Personal Greetings and Instructions **Principle**: We're all in this together. [[#Verse 07.]] Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.  [[#Verse 08.]] I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.  [[#Verse 09.]] I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. [[#Verse 10.]] Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him).  [[#Verse 11.]] And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.  [[#Verse 12.]] Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.  [[#Verse 13.]] For I can testify that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.  [[#Verse 14.]] Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you.  [[#Verse 15.]] Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.  [[#Verse 16.]] And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well.  [[#Verse 17.]] And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.” [[#Verse 18.]] I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ###### Verse 10. ###### Verse 11. ###### Verse 12. ###### Verse 13. ###### Verse 14. ###### Verse 15. ###### Verse 16. ###### Verse 17. ###### Verse 18. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. Mark (4:10) is called Barnabas's cousin. Paul once refused to take Mark on a journey (Acts 15:37-39), but here he commends him. 2. Colossians 4:14 is the only place Luke is called a physician. 3. Paul says Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus called Justus were the only Jewish coworkers with him at that time (4:10-11). 4. Demas (4:14) later deserted Paul because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10). 5. Onesimus (4:9) is the same runaway slave Paul writes about in the letter to Philemon. 6. The "letter from Laodicea" (4:16) is unknown. Some scholars suggest it was our letter to the Ephesians. 7. Nympha hosted a church in her house (4:15). Early churches usually met in homes. 8. "Seasoned with salt" (4:6) pictures speech that is wise, wholesome, and engaging. 9. Paul wrote the final greeting with his own hand (4:18), a mark of authenticity. 10. Paul's last request, "Remember my chains" (4:18), reminds them he wrote as a prisoner. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the mystery Paul longed to proclaim through an open door (4:3). Masters are reminded that they also have a Master in heaven (4:1), the Lord who shows no favoritism (Ephesians 6:9). ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. Paul urges devotion to prayer with alertness and thanksgiving (4:2). What helps you stay devoted in prayer? 2. Our speech should always be gracious and seasoned with salt (4:6). What does that kind of speech sound like with people who do not yet follow Jesus? 3. Paul tells Archippus to complete the ministry he received in the Lord (4:17). What ministry has God given you to complete? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 2: Be devoted to prayer, staying alert with thanksgiving. - 📖 verses 5-6: Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, with speech that is gracious and seasoned with salt. - 📖 verse 12: Epaphras always struggles in prayer for them to stand mature. - 📖 verse 17: Archippus must complete the ministry he received in the Lord. ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 [[Ephesians 06#Verse 18.|Ephesians 6:18-20]] - Pray for boldness in proclaiming the gospel. - 🔗 [[Ephesians 05#Verse 16.|Ephesians 5:16]] - Make the most of every opportunity. - 🔗 [[Matthew 05#Verse 13.|Matthew 5:13]] - You are the salt of the earth. - 🔗 [[Acts 15#Verse 37.|Acts 15:37-39]] - Paul and Barnabas disagree over Mark. - 🔗 [[2 Timothy 04#Verse 11.|2 Timothy 4:11]] - Mark is useful to Paul for ministry. - 🔗 [[Philemon 01#Verse 23.|Philemon 23-24]] - Greetings from Paul's coworkers. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[Colossians 04 - SOAP|Actions Required]] ## 📂 Internal Notes