Book of Colossians Chapter 4

Written on 16/06/2025
Dozie Moneme

Commentary on Colossians Chapter 4:2-18 with Different Biblical References

The commentary integrates fresh scriptural insights to enrich the discussion and concludes with footnote references for clarity and further study.

Verse 2-4

Text: "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." (Colossians 4:2-4, NIV)

  • Continue Earnestly in Prayer: Paul consistently upheld the Colossian church through his intercessions for them (Colossians 1:9-12). Their spiritual vitality and ministry would thrive through persistent and vigilant prayer, including their own active participation in this discipline.
    • Such earnest prayer demands dedication and does not come without effort. "Earnestly in prayer" indicates sustained, strenuous labour. “The door to heaven is not breached by a single effort but by persistent striving. Hold nothing back, believer. Ensure no tool in your spiritual arsenal grows dull. Surround God’s throne with countless petitions, and gaze upon His promises with unwavering focus. You undertake a mighty task, for you seek to move the hand that governs the universe; therefore, employ every means to stir that hand. Claim every promise, present every plea, and contend with all your strength.” (Adapted from Spurgeon)
  • Being Vigilant in It with Thanksgiving: We are called to be alert in prayer, always coupling our requests with gratitude for the manifold blessings God has bestowed.
    • “Prayer must be interwoven with praise. I’ve learned that in early American settlements, after long periods of fasting and humiliation in prayer, they often grew so frequent that a wise leader suggested altering the pattern occasionally to a day of pure thanksgiving.” (Adapted from Spurgeon)

 

  • Meanwhile Praying Also for Us: Paul seems to interject, “While we discuss prayer, include us in yours!” Yet rather than seeking prayer for personal struggles (which were numerous), he requests intercession that God would open to us a door for the word.
    • The imagery of an "open door" as a divinely provided opportunity for the gospel appears in passages like Revelation 3:8, where God sets before His people an open door no one can shut.
  • As I Ought to Speak: Despite being in chains for his loyalty to the gospel, Paul recognized his duty to proclaim it with clarity, making it manifest (evident to all). He sought prayer to persist in presenting the gospel plainly, even at the cost of further imprisonment.

Verse 5-6

Text: "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:5-6, NIV)

  • Walk in Wisdom Toward Those Who Are Outside: The Christian life extends beyond private devotion. It demands a practical, visible faith that interacts wisely with those who are outside the community of believers. Our speech plays a crucial role in this, so we must ensure it is always with grace.
  • That You May Know How You Ought to Answer Each One: Paul trusted that Christians would respond to others from the foundation of Biblical truth, striving to master the art of communicating these truths effectively to those outside the faith.
    • Colossians 4:2-6 reveals God’s concern for both our personal prayer life and our public witness. He values both the quiet place of prayer and the open arena of daily interaction, expecting us to prioritize both.
    • This connects significantly with earlier themes in Colossians. Paul devoted much of this letter to clarifying truth and countering false teachings. Yet, all this knowledge holds little value until applied in both private devotion and public engagement. Here, Paul effectively rounds out his message.

 

Verse 7-9

Text: "Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here." (Colossians 4:7-9, NIV)

  • Tychicus, a Beloved Brother: Evidently, the Colossian believers were unfamiliar with Tychicus. He was tasked with delivering this letter to them (will tell you all the news about me).
    • It seems Epaphras, who initially brought news from Colosse to Paul in Rome (Colossians 1:7), would not return soon; thus, Paul dispatched Tychicus in his stead.
    • Tychicus appears in 2 Timothy 4:12 as one sent by Paul to Ephesus, indicating his role as a trusted messenger in Paul’s ministry.
  • With Onesimus, a Faithful and Beloved Brother: Onesimus, a slave belonging to a Colossian believer, fled and encountered Paul in Rome. There, he embraced Christianity and became a devoted assistant to Paul. His narrative continues in Paul’s letter to Philemon.
    • Paul could have described Onesimus as “the runaway slave I am returning to his owner.” Instead, he honours him as a faithful and beloved brother, affirming to the Colossians that Onesimus was now one of you.

Verse 10-11

Text: "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me." (Colossians 4:10-11, NIV)

  • Aristarchus: A Macedonian from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4), Aristarchus accompanied Paul during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29) and sailed with him to Rome under imprisonment (Acts 27:2). Paul here names him my fellow prisoner, suggesting Aristarchus often shared Paul’s hardships. Some scholars propose he voluntarily became Paul’s servant to accompany him to Rome.
  • Mark the Cousin of Barnabas… If He Comes to You, Welcome Him: Despite an earlier rift with Barnabas and Mark (Acts 15:37-39), Paul’s heart had clearly softened over time through God’s grace, mending past tensions.
    • Identifying Mark via his connection to Barnabas implies the Colossians knew of Barnabas, either by reputation or unrecorded missionary efforts, reminding us that Acts is not a complete chronicle of early church history.
  • Jesus Who Is Called Justus: Little is known of this man beyond his name. He joins the aforementioned individuals as a source of comfort to Paul during his Roman custody awaiting trial before Caesar (they have proved to be a comfort to me).
  • My Only Fellow Workers… Who Are of the Circumcision: At this time, Paul had just three Jewish co-labourers. Yet, these few provided significant support, proving to be a comfort to him.
    • Paul’s Roman custody stemmed from a Jewish uproar over his mention of God’s grace to Gentiles (Acts 21:27-28).

Verse 12-13

Text: "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis." (Colossians 4:12-13, NIV)

  • Always Labouring Fervently for You in Prayers: Prayer is arduous work, and Epaphras toiled diligently in it, especially aware of the threat posed by false teachings in Colosse. He prayed that the Colossian believers would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God—a powerful intercession for any Christian.
    • Paul designates Epaphras a bondservant of Christ, a title he frequently reserved for himself, using it for another only here and in Philippians 2:22, where Timothy is similarly honoured.
  • He Has a Great Zeal for You: Epaphras prayed effectively because he cared deeply. Had his passion waned, his prayers would surely have faltered.

Verse 14

Text: "Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you." (Colossians 4:14, NIV)

  • Luke the Beloved Physician: This verse uniquely identifies Luke, author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, as a physician. His writings reflect a meticulous, analytical approach (Luke 1:3-4) and include details a doctor might note (Luke 8:55, 13:11-13).
    • Luke may have been in Rome to present a recently completed work—the Gospel of Luke and Acts—possibly as a legal brief to explain Paul’s situation before Caesar’s court.
  • Demas: No commendation accompanies Demas here, only that he greets the Colossians, suggesting they knew him. In Philemon 1:24, he is listed among Paul’s fellow labourers, but later, in 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul notes Demas deserted him, loving the world more, and headed to Thessalonica.
    • These six individuals greeting the Colossians were with Paul in Rome during his house arrest before trial. Unlike his later imprisonment in 2 Timothy, Paul, though bound, occasionally enjoyed the company of friends and allies.

Verse 15

Text: "Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house." (Colossians 4:15, NIV)

  • Laodicea: This city, later sharply rebuked in Revelation 3:15-17, was a neighbour to Colosse, alongside Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13).
  • Nymphas: Debate persists over whether Paul refers to a man or woman with this name, as manuscripts vary between masculine and feminine forms.
  • The Church That Is in His House: Lacking dedicated buildings, early Christians gathered in “house churches.” Given the size of most homes, multiple house churches often existed in a city, each overseen by a pastor or elder.

 

Verse 16

Text: "Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." (Colossians 4:16, NIV)

  •  Now When This Epistle Is Read Among You: Apostolic letters to churches were publicly read during gatherings, allowing the apostle to instruct the congregation even in his absence.
  • See That It Is Read Also in the Church of the Laodiceans: It was customary to circulate apostolic letters among nearby churches for mutual edification.
    • This explains why letters were copied almost immediately, and how minor copying errors could arise early on.
  • And That You Likewise Read the Epistle from Laodicea: Paul apparently wrote a letter to the Laodiceans that is not preserved. This does not imply our canon is incomplete; the Holy Spirit has preserved those writings inspired for the universal church. Not every word Paul wrote carried such inspiration.

Verse 17

Text: "And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfil it.’" (Colossians 4:17, NIV)

  • And Say to Archippus: This personal note to Archippus is noteworthy. Paul also briefly mentions him in Philemon 1:2 as Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house.
    • The reference in Philemon 1:2 suggests to some that Archippus was Philemon’s son, given the context with Philemon’s wife (Apphia) and household (the church in your house). It also reflects Paul’s high regard for Archippus as a valued partner in ministry (our fellow soldier).
    • The context of Colossians 4:17 leads some to believe that, though possibly tied to Philemon’s family, Archippus was linked to the Laodicean church, perhaps as its pastor. This, however, remains speculative.
  • Say to Archippus, “Take Heed to the Ministry”: Paul sought to encourage and fortify Archippus, yet he did not address him directly. Instead, he requested the Colossians (or Laodiceans) convey this message.
    • Thus, it was more appropriate for the Colossians (or Laodiceans) to deliver this to Archippus than for Paul to do so.

 

Verse 18 Conclusion

Text: "This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen." (Colossians 4:18, NIV)

  • This Salutation by My Own Hand: Following the custom of his time, Paul typically dictated his letters but added a personal postscript in his own handwriting to authenticate the message.
  • Remember My Chains: This brief statement carries deep emotion, reflecting both the hardship and resilience of Paul’s situation. As a prisoner, he endured not only physical confinement and isolation but also the uncertainty of whether his trial before Caesar would result in his execution.
  • Grace Be with You: Paul’s closing is the only fitting end for the apostle of grace, especially when addressing a community facing a heresy that emphasized secret knowledge and works-based righteousness. Progress in the Christian journey is only secure when grace accompanies us, as it is the foundation of our faith and life (Ephesians 2:8-9).
    • i. This final blessing echoes the sustaining power of God’s grace, a theme central to Paul’s ministry and a reminder to the Colossians to rely on divine favour rather than human effort.

Footnotes: Biblical References for Colossians Chapter 4

  1. Colossians 1:9-12 - Paul’s ongoing prayers for the Colossians’ spiritual growth and strength.
  2. Revelation 3:8 - God setting an open door before His people as an opportunity for ministry.
  3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by grace through faith, not by works, as the foundation of Christian life.
  4. 2 Timothy 4:12 - Tychicus sent by Paul to Ephesus, highlighting his role as a trusted messenger.
  5. Acts 21:27-28 - The Jewish uproar leading to Paul’s arrest over his preaching to Gentiles.
  6. Philippians 2:22 - Timothy honoured alongside Epaphras as a fellow servant, showing Paul’s rare use of such titles for others.
  7. Luke 1:3-4 - Luke’s methodical approach to writing his Gospel, reflecting his analytical mindset.
  8. Luke 8:55, 13:11-13 - Examples of detailed medical observations in Luke’s writings.
  9. Revelation 3:15-17 - The rebuke of Laodicea for being lukewarm, providing context for the city’s spiritual state.
  10. Philemon 1:2 - Mention of Archippus as a fellow soldier, suggesting his role and connection to Philemon’s household.