Colossians 4
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Colossians 4
Colossians 4
Speech of the New Man (4:1-6)
(4:1) Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Spiritual Equals Masters and Slaves are spiritual equals in Christ. They are expected to treat their slaves with justice and fairness
The unredeemed mouth is characterized by:
— Evil (Prov 15:28)
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
— Sexual Immorality (Prov 5:2-3)
2 That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge. 3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil;
— Deceit (Jer 9:8)
8 Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.
— Curses and Oppression (Ps 10:7)
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.
— Lies (Prov 12:22)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
— Destruction (Prov 11:11)
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
— Vanity (2 Pet 2:18)
18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
— Flattery (Prov 26:28)
28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
— Foolishness (Prov 15:2)
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
— Madness (Eccles 10:12-13)
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.
— Carelessness (Matt 12:36)
36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
— Boasting (Ro 1:30)
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
— False Doctrines (Titus 1:11)
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
— Evil Plots (Ps 37:12)
12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.
— Hatred (Ps 109:3)
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause.
— Too many Words (Eccles 10:14)
14 A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
— Gossip (Prov 26:22)
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
The Redeemed mouth is characterized by:
— Confession of Sin (1 John 1:9)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
— Confession of Christ (Ro 10:9-10)
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
— Edifying Speech (Eph 4:29)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
— Talk of God’s Law (Ex 13:9)
9 It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.
— Praise to God (Heb 13:15)
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
— Blessings of Enemies (1 Pet 3:9)
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
— Talk about God (Ps 66:16)
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
— Wisdom and Kindness (Prov 31:26)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
— Gentleness (Prov 15:1)
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Christ is our Model He spoke instructively (Matt 5;2), graciously (Luke 4:22), Blamelessly (Luke 11:54) and without deceit (1 Pet 2:22)
The Speech of Prayer
Q: Why is it fitting that Paul begins with Prayer?
(4:2) Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Prayer Prayer is the strength of the new man
— Source of his power against Satan (Eph 6:18)
— We confess our sin through prayer (Heb 4:15-16)
— Intercede for each other (Ps 66:18)
— Our prayer is directed to God (Matt 6:9)
— In consistent with the Holy Spirit (Eph 6:18)
— Is in the name of Christ (John 14:13)
Persistent in Prayer
4:2) Continue earnestly
— Devote yourselves (NASB)
Devote προσκαρτερέω (proskartereō) Devote, continue earnestly. A compound word of to be steadfast and endure
— Believers must be persistent in prayer
— Hold fast, don’t let go (an overlooked aspect of prayer)
— At all times (Eph 6:18, Luke 18:1)
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
— Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)
17 pray without ceasing,
— Be devoted to Prayer (Ro 12:12)
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Persistent — Jesus used two parables to illustrate persistent prayer
— A widow and a judge (Luke 18:1-8)
— The judge did not fear God, He was an unbeliever, but because the widow insisted he relented and gave her justice
— A friend asking for food for guests (Luke 11:5-10)
— A man goes to his neighbor at midnight and asks for food for his guests
Thanksgiving (4:1) with thanksgiving
— Pray with thanksgiving
— The fifth (5th) Time Paul has mentioned thanksgiving in Colossians
— Thankful for salvation (1:12)
— Thankful for spiritual growth (2:6)
— Thankful for fellowship with Christ and His church (3:15)
— Thankful for the opportunity to serve (3:17)
— Thankful for God will answer prayer (4:2)
We are to be thankful for:
— God’s presence (Ps 75:1)
— God’s provision (Acts 27:35)
— Gods Pardon (Ro 6:17); God’s Salvation
— God’s Promises (1 Cor 15:57; 2 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 1:20)
— God’s Purpose (Ro 8:28)
Q: What does Paul want the Colossians to pray for (4:3-4)? What is the “mystery” of Christ?
3 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, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Mystery — Already discussed in 1:26-27, something hidden in the OT but clear in the NT
— Here, it means the gospel
— Paul prays for an open door to preach the gospel (1 Cor 16:8-9; 2 Cor 2:12)
— We are to pray for God to open doors (Acts 14:27)
Open Doors Jesus Opens Doors (Rev 3:7)
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
— He opened the locked prison door when Peter was in prison (Acts 12:1-11)
Shut Doors — Several doors had been shut
— Closed the door to Asia for Paul (Acts 16:6-7)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
— The gospel went to Europe
Imprisoned At the end of 3rd missionary journey, Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple
— Sent to Felix and in prison 2 years
— Appeals to Cesar and sent to Rome, shipwrecked
— Book of Acts ends with Paul in prison in Rome
— He writes Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, Philemon
Evangelized Paul evangelized while in Chains
— The mob in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1FF)
— Felix (Acts 24:10ff)
— Herod Agrippa (Acts 26:11ff)
— Roman Soliders (Phil 1:13)
— Caesar’s Household (Phil 4:22)
— Rome’s Jewish Community (Acts 28:17ff)
— He preached to everyone that came to him (Acts 28:30-31)
Q: How can we act foolish and denigrate our faith? What is the result? (4:5)
(4:5) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
The world sees The world sees how we walk
— If we live like fools, or as if nothing has changed outsides will not be drawn to our faith
— They will shun the gospel, denigrate it if we live as unbelievers (1 Cor 5:12-13)
12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
— We must have a good testimony with those in the world (1 Thess 4:2; 1 Tim3:7); if you live for money you live like a food (1 Tim 6:9)
7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Resources Sources for Wisdom — Worship, fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10)
— Prayer, if you lack wisdom pray (James 1:5)
— Bible Study, the word of God dwell richly in you (Col 3:16)
— Godly instruction (Col 1:28)
(4:5) redeeming the time.
Moses Prayer Moses prayed recorded in (Ps 90:12) that we count our days
12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
— More people die every day without Christ (John 9:4)
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
(4:6) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one
— Speak with Grace
— No place for a foul mouth; Christ as our example (Luke 4:22)
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
— Paul said earlier (3:8)
— Says again that we should have edifying speech (Eph 4:29)
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
(4:6) seasoned with salt
— NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV retain the original wording
— NLT misses the beauty of this verse: “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone”
Q: What is the purpose of Salt?
— Prevents corruption and decay
— Our speech should act as a purifying influence
(4:6) know how you ought to answer each one
— so that you will have the right response for everyone (NLT)
— Say the right thing at the right time
— Unlike the ungodly: (Ps 12:4) They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?” (NLT)
— We should echo (Ps 141:3) set a guard over my mouth
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Everyone Says Hello (4:7-14)
Not good to be alone
— Leaders are more effective with the help of others (Prov 27:17)
17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Two are stronger than one; also true of marriage (Eccl 4:9-12)
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Eight Men who stood with Paul
(1) The man with the servant’s heart
(2) The man with the sinful past
(3) The man with the sympathetic heart
(4) The man with the surprising future
(5) The man with a strong commitment
(6) The man with a single passion
(7) The man with a specialized talent
(8) The man with a sad future
The Man with the servant’s heart (4:7-8)
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Q: What do we know about Tychicus?
Tychicus His name means Fortuitous, fortunate
— Never achieved prominence in the church, but served an important role in the early church
— Received Paul’s highest commendation
— Called a faithful steward
— Called him a beloved brother
— Called him a fellow bond servant in the Lord
Acts 20:4 We first meet him in Acts 20:4
— Paul was on his third missionary journey
— Planned to go to Jerusalem via Macedonia and collect an offering and bring some gentiles who represented Greece and Asia minor churches
— Tychicus was among those people
— The trip was hard and arduous; took Tychicus away from his family for a long time
— Paul repeatedly heard about trouble that awaited him in Jerusalem, yet Tychicus remained with Paul
2 Years later Two (2) years later, Tychicus is still with Paul
— Paul survived a plot to kill him by Jewish leaders
— Trials before Felix, Festus and Agrippa
— Shipwrecked
— In Rome during his first imprisonment
— Paul needed a temporary replacement for Titus on the island of Crete, Paul considered Tychicus (Titus 3:2)
— At the of his life Paul wanted to see Timothy but he could not leave without a replacement, so Paul sent Tychicus (2 Tim 4:12)
— Speaks so highly of his character that he could replace Titus or Timothy
4 Years later Now Four (4) Years later and he is still with Paul
— Now in Rome during his first imprisonment while writing Colossians
— Paul has an important task: deliver this letter to the church at Colossae
— He carries Colossians but also Ephesians ( cf Eph 6:21) and probably Philemon (cf 4:9)
— Cross Italy on foot; then sail across the Adriatic Sea
— Cross Greece on foot; then sail across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Asia Minor
— One hundred (100) miles on foot to Colossae
— Bring information about Paul, his health, his affairs and encouragement
— He was never in the spotlight, never achieved prominence, always “backstage” as an unsung hero but served an important role
The Man with a sinful past (4:9)
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Q: What do we know about Onesimus?
Onesimus He was a runaway slave
Reason for writing the book of Philemon
— Philemon was a leader in the church at Colossae
— By an act of Providence, God brought Onesimus to Rome
— Now Paul is sending him back to Philemon with a letter
(4:9) a faithful and beloved brother
— Paul describes him as a “faithful and beloved brother”
— When we come to Christ our past no longer matters
— Onesimus is a powerful example of how the gospel changes a life
The Man with the sympathetic heart (4:10)
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Q: What do we know about Aristarchus?
Aristarchus He was a Jewish believer but had a Greek name
— A native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4)
— He appeared during Paul’s three year ministry at Ephesus
— He was seized by the rioting mob who recognized him as a companion of Paul
— One of Paul’s eight (8) companions that accompanied him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4)
Sopater of Brea
Secundus of Thessalonica
Gaius of Derbe
Timothy
Tychicus
Trophimus of Asia
Dr. Luke
Fellow Prisoner (4:10) my fellow prisoner
—Unlikely that he was an actual prisoner
MacArthur “That he chose to make Paul’s lifestyle his own speaks of his sympathetic, carrying heart. He gave up his own freedom to minister to Paul’s needs.
any leader would be enriched to have a faithful Aristarchus at his side through all his trials. The Lord’s work would not be done if it were not for
people like Aristarchus, who humbly bear hardships without the fame of those they serve”
The Man with a surprising Future (4:10)
(4:10b) with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)
John Mark A companion of Paul and Barnabas on their 1st missionary journey (Acts 13:5)
— Cousin of Barnabas
— He knew Peter as a youth (1 Pet 5:13)
— Went to Antioch (Acts 12:16) and Cyprus (Acts 13:4-5) and deserted Paul in Perga (Acts 13:13)
Desertion The desertion of John Mark was a source of friction between Paul and Barnabas
— Paul and Barnabas argued about it; Barnabas wanted to take his cousin along on the 2nd missionary journey
— They separated from each other (Acts 15:37-39)
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
Story does not end there
By this time, Colossians, John Mark is a changed man
— Fellowship is restored and John Mark is again useful; probably through the ministry of Peter (cf. 1 Pet 5:13)
— In Philemon (Philemon 24) Paul names John Mark as one of his helpers
— Once rejected, John Mark became one of Paul’s greatest helpers (2 Tim 4:11)
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
— The man with a second chance; God is a God of second chances
— Later, he shared a privilege shared by only three other men in world history (Matthew, Luke, John): writing one of the gospels
The man with a strong commitment (4:11)
11 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.
Q: What do we know about Justus?
Nothing! The only thing we know about Justus is from this one verse !
— His name was Jesus which is the Greek of Joshua which means “savior” must have been hard to live up to!
— Justus is the latin surname means “righteous”
— Jesus Justus, Mark and Aristarchus were my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision
— In other words, these were his only fellow Jews that were with him and it must have grieved his heart
— The Jews had rejected his message and tried to kill him on multiple occasions
Comfort Jesus Justus was a source of comfort for Paul
The man with a single passion (4:12-13)
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Q: What do we know about Epaphras?
Epaphras He was the founder of the church at Colossae and current pastor
— He went to Rome to tell Paul of the Heresy that has happening there; Paul responds with this letter
— He was separated from his church but always laboring fervently for them in prayer
Laboring ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai), struggle; fight; strive, labor
— from which our english word agonize is derived
— Used in 1 Cor 9:25 to speak of grueling competition by athletes in the games
— In John 18:36 it is translated fight
— Related words appear in Ro 15:30 to speak of fighting in prayer; Luke 22:44 in reference to Jesus’ agony in the garden
— Epaphras was an example of Col 4:2 devout yourselves to prayer
The man with a specialized talent (4:14)
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Q: What do we know about Luke?
Luke He joined Paul on his 2nd missionary journey and stayed with him for the rest of Paul’s life
— Highly educated (like Paul) which is evident by the literary quality of the gospel of Luke and Acts
— He is an example of a medical missionary
— He didn’t have a seminary degree but God needs specialists too
— He gave up what might have been a lucrative private practice to serve the Lord
The man with a sad future (4:14b)
(4:14b) and Demas greet you.
Q: What do we know about Demas?
Demas He was with Paul in both of his imprisonments
— He made a substantial commitment to the Lord’s work
— Tragically deserted Paul and the ministry
—This is Paul’s Judas (2 Tim 4:9-10)
9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
Concluding Remarks (4:15-18)
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house. 16 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” 18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
(4:15) Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea
— Paul closes by greeting the brothers in nearby Laodicea
Nympha Nympha (feminine), your bible may say Nymphas (masculine)
— Small letter next to it is NU (Nestle-Aland Greek NT) most prominent critical text of the NT
Circular (4:16) Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans
— They were to read the letter to the Colossians and in turn read the letter to the Laodiceans (probably Ephesians)
Archippus (4:17) And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
— Archippus appears only here and in Philemon 2
— Commanded to complete the ministry that the Lord gave him
— And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” (NLT)
— Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord. (NIV) (45% difference)
My Own Hand (4:18) This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
— Paul writes the final sentence in his own hand
— He frequently used a secretary to write while he dictated known as a “amanuensis”
— But as was his custom he wrote the last sentence himself (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; 2 Thess 3:17; Philem 19)
Additional Resources
Macarthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Colossians and Philemon [Chicago: Moody Bible,1992]
The Bible Project, The book of Colossians, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXTXlDxQsvc