We’re going to finish the book of Colossians either this week or next. To start off this week I want to go back just a few verses to…

I.        Col 3:23

A.  The word “heartily” here is actually “out of the soul.”

1.   Christians are to throw their souls (or heart) into their work, and labor cheerfully and diligently.[1]

B.  Talking about different phrases that they have in the Greek, if you look back to verse 22, Paul says, (Read V 22).

1.   Notice the phrase, “singleness of heart.”

2.   Literally, that should be translated, “without a fold in the heart.”

a)    It had the meaning of “Without a fold in the heart where one could hide false motives.”

C.  Back to Verse 23, “Whatever we do we should to it as unto the Lord, with all of our hearts.”

D.     Col 3:24

1.   Your reward in heaven is going to be based on what you do here on earth.

2.   You’re reward is not just based on what you have done in church, how you’ve served, how you witnessed. (part of it).

a)    Part of your reward is going to be based on how good of an employee you have been.

3.   He goes on to say, “for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

a)    What you do, even in secular work, you are to do it in service to the Lord.

b)    You are witnessing where ever you go.

(i)    If Christians are the best employees, everyone will want Christians working for them.

(ii) If Christians are getting all the best jobs, then everyone will want to be a Christian.

(iii)           Where ever you are, you represent the Lord Jesus Christ.

E.     Col 3:25

1.   Even in secular employment, you will be rewarded for what you have done.

a)    Thank God, that we can repent from the things that we did in the past, but if we’re still doing them, we’ll get our just reward.

2.   The words that say, “respect of persons” is actually 1 word in the Greek.

a)    It literally means that God shows no favoritism.

b)    It doesn’t matter who you are or what position you hold in the body of Christ, God show no favoritism.

(i)    All of us will be judged the same.

II.      Col 4:1

A.  So, he’s saying, “Masters or employers treat your worker right.”

1.   In today’s age, quite often there is no loyalty to the employers.

a)    Maybe if the employers would begin treating their employees, as they would want to be treated then we would have loyal employees.

2.   Why should we be treating our employees right, because we have the big boss watching us.

III.     Now, Paul starts to bring a conclusion to his letter. Col 4:2

A.  Paul never tires of exhorting people to God and to do what is right.

1.   This time he’s exhorting them to be diligent in their prayer life.[2]

B.  Sometimes people have a hard time with the phrase, “Watch and pray.”

1.   Here Paul says something similar “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same.”

2.   What does the “Watch” mean?

a)    The Wuest Translation says, “Be giving constant attention to prayer, constantly vigilant in it with thanksgiving,”[3]

b)    The word “Watch” means, “be vigilant,” metaph. “give strict attention to, be cautious, active.”[4]

3.   We need to make sure that we don’t let prayer slip or cease and we should do it with “thanksgiving.”

C.     Col 4:3-4

1.   Here Paul says that we need to pray for him, but now that he is gone to be with the Lord, we should pray that God would open door for those that are called into the ministry to proclaim His Word.

a)    We should pray for all of us that God would open doors, but we should always remember to pray for those in the ministry.

2.   The NIV says for verse 4, “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

a)    That is an important statement.

b)  Proclaim it as we should. (not with strife, wrong motives, not to manipulate).

D.     Col 4:5

1.   When he says, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without”

2.   In our everyday behavior, we should realize that we are being carefully watched by unbelievers.

a)    The world is more interested in our walk than in our talk.[5]

3.   He goes on to say, “Redeeming the time” or “make the most of every opportunity.” (NIV)

a)   Sharing Christ!

E.     Col 4:6

1.   If our speech is to be always with grace, then it should always be Christlike.

a)    It should be free from gossip, frivolity, uncleanness, and bitterness. [6]

2.   “Seasoned with salt” is not clear what Paul meant.

a)    Some thoughts, “Just the right amount,” or “With flavor not dull,” “Words that will preserve life,” or “The right word in the right season.”  

IV.    Let’s end with Col 4:17-18  

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[1]KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[2]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 4:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[3]Wuest, K. S. (1997, c1961). The New Testament : An expanded translation. First published in 3 vols., 1956-59, under title: Expanded translation of the Greek New Testament. (Col 4:2). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

[4]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (G1127). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[5]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 4:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[6]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (electronic ed.) (Col 4:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.