Colossians 4:2-18

Review

Household Codes

Last time we talked about the household codes....the way in which Paul was going to encourage them to live out their faith....even from within societal structures that were not ideal.

Sources

Nijay Gupta, Colossians

Ben Witherington, Social and Rhetorical Commentary

Joyful Cruciformity: Patterns and Models, Colossians 4:2-18

Cruciformity: remember this phrase?

. . . conformity to the cross, to Christ crucified. Cruciformity is the ethical dimension of the theology of the cross found throughout the NT and the Christian tradition. Paradoxically, because the living Christ remains the crucified one, cruciformity is Spirit-enabled conformity to the indwelling crucified and resurrected Christ. It is the ministry of the living Christ, who reshapes all relationships and responsibilities to express the self-giving, life-giving love of God that was displayed on the cross. Although cruciformity often includes suffering, at its heart [it]—like the cross—is about faithfulness and love.” - Michael J. Gorman

Praying and Witnessing with Joy, 4:2-6

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And it is in this light that Paul aims to be focused on “outsiders” and this is how he will encourage the church to do it as well. Cruciformity is outward focused: From Ben Witherington

The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles Peroratio—Prayer and Wisdom—4:2–6

The focus then in the peroratio is on getting the Colossians back on track with normal acts of devotion (as opposed to the ascetic suggestions of the errorists) and appropriate wisdom regarding behavior in relationship to outsiders. While praxis seems to be to the fore here, as 4:6 suggests, Paul also cares about witness, and so the Colossians’ understanding of the gospel so that they can answer all comers. What binds the requests for prayer for Paul and the discussion of deeds and speech together is the concern for spreading the gospel among outsiders.3

Prayer:

It is not uncommon for Paul to urge praying in the closing of his letters. Paul specificity here should be noted:

Devoted “proskartereo:” which means “to continue to do something with intense effort

Prayer is “watchful” and “thankful”

The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles Peroratio—Prayer and Wisdom—4:2–6

Gratitude prevents prayer from becoming just a shopping trip full of requests and pleas. Watchfulness suggests attentiveness rather than spiritual complacency.

Watchful in particular is an important theme. Disciples are told by Jesus to “keep watch” and it is a reoccurring theme in the NT. Larry Hurtado teases this out:

When the disciples are told to keep watch [Mark 13:35-37], what is meant is that they are to be on duty, doing their jobs, not that they are to watch for portents indicating when the end will come . . . The contrast is sleeping [Mark 13:36], which would be failure to do one’s duty and failure to take seriously the warning of the master’s return. Servants are not to scan the horizon for the master and then rush about in a panic when they see him coming; rather, they are to carry out their normal duties. Thus, Jesus’ words in verses 32-37 mean that his followers are to go on with their mission, preaching and living for the gospel, ready for the return of their master at anytime, so that he will find them “on the job.”7

MLA (Modern Language Assoc.) Gupta, Nijay K. Colossians. Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2013.

Seasoned with Salt:

From Ben Witherington

The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles Peroratio—Prayer and Wisdom—4:2–6

Paul is speaking about rhetorically effective speech. “Gracious and seasoned with salt” “captures the wisdom of ancient rhetoric: ideological substance without personal style fails to convince people.” It also makes clear that Christians must engage in friendly conversation with nonbelievers and must be prepared to know how to respond to each and every outsider, regardless of their remarks or questions (cf. 1 Pet. 3:15). “This paragraph is a reminder of how much was done by word of mouth.

Seasoned with salt is about rhetorical and loving conversations with non-believers.

Last point:

I appreciate something Gupta draws out of Paul’s conception of the spreading of the gospel. He sees 4 parties involved in the spreading of the gospel. First, we have the “word,” the logos of God....Jesus. Passing through the door that God has opened. God who is sovereign and has the power and desire to move obstacles for the word. Third, Paul is the agent God is using to speak, finally Colossians are called to support this work through prayer.

All are involved with urgency in Paul’s mind.

Final Words, 4:7-17

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Tychicus is the courier who delivered the letter

High praise here for T: dear brother....familial in Christ,

faithful minister....not pastor but carrying out a service faithfully,

slave of the Lord....as committed as Paul.

He also mentions Onesimus and commends him as well. (a slave that he is fighting for freedom from Philemon…)

Then he runs through a whole list of people that send their greeting: Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras (remember he is likely the person that brought the gospel there), Luke the doctor, and Demas.

Why this run of greetings? Well for a few reasons.

1)he is continuing to give this church of Colossae models of what it looks like to live out their lives sacrificially. Some of these people they know or they will see soon.

2)the diversity matters, two of them are Jews, others Gentiles, etc. Showing the diversity of the movement as a teaching again about what their church should look like.

Two last points here:

very significant that Nympha, a woman, is named here as the leader of a house church

Letter sharing would be common. We likely do not have the letter to Laodicea. Even knowing all that we studies about Paul writing for purpose to a certain problem in most cases....it still has contextual significance that it would be good for them to learn and consider

Last verse....Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” We really have no idea what this is. So cryptic. He is only mentioned briefly in Philemon. But what we can take from this is that Paul is not writing a person note to him....but he believes in ministry in the context of the church…this is here for accountability!

Pauline Autograph and Farewell, 4:18

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1 Corinthians 16:21 NIV

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

Romans 16:22 NIV

I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

E.R. Richards:

Ancient writing was a craft that required skill. Secretaries had to cut their own paper into sheets, measure and score the lines, mix their own ink, cut their own reed pens and write on the rough fibrous paper (papyrus) of antiquity. Furthermore, ancients valued beautiful handwriting—more what we would call “calligraphy.” While an ancient might be able to scratch out the lines, he would not want to send such an ugly letter.

MLA (Modern Language Assoc.) Gupta, Nijay K. Colossians. Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2013.

Why sign off this way?

Some argue to present that he is intelligent and prestigious enough to know how to write and to write in Greek at that....but that does not seem to fit the context. If we look at the other places he does it, then we can pick up some clues:

1 Corinthians 16:21–22 NIV

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!

Galatians 6:11–12 NIV

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

And again here:

Colossians 4:18 NIV

I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

When he steps into to do this then he does so to write something very important.

“Remember my chains.” Is not just a....please do not forget I am locked up, or a....do this because I am in prison. But it is more of what one author says an equivalent to “Remember the Alamo.”

In the local sense, Remember the Alamo, was not just a helpful reminder of an event....no, it was a battle cry. “Remember my chains” is a battle cry....we suffer fo this because it is of that worth. Remember my chains has to go and do likewise!

Living it out (Application)

1. The Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20)

2. Jesus as Model (John 17:18, 22-23)

3. Daily Living (Phil 2:12-15)

4. Speaking of Hope (1 Peter 3:15-16)

5. Relieving Oppression (Luke 4:18-19)

The first two models are a bit unique. The Great Commission model is the call of the church worldwide to have an evangelistic and disciple-making concern. Evangelism is done especially through preaching and through missionary efforts. The “Jesus”model is the call on particular individuals to devote their whole life and vocation to being the presence of Christ in one area (likeMother Teresa). The fifth model focuses on the social concerns of the “good news” as Christians serve the community to aid the weak. The “Daily Living” model (3) concentrates on the everyday lives of Christians as they show love and care for people around them.

MLA (Modern Language Assoc.) Gupta, Nijay K. Colossians. Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2013.

The fourth one, though, is one that resonates with Paul’s words here and charge to the church. Speaking of hope. I wonder to what degree have we learned to do that?

Heard an interesting conversation recently from Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian and a few years ago was ranked one of the more influential churches in the country. He was discussing some of the challenges the church faces in the world of evangelism.

The church in the West (and he was borrowing from Lesslie Newbigin) that the church for 1000 years has operated in a Christendom model....assuming and benefitting from culture being in a certain place about Christianity.

Lose belief in a higher power

lose belief in heaven or afterlife

the desire to want to be good people or live good lives

General sense of guilt or shame

And we have taken for granted that people would come to church.

This is not the case anymore. People do not live in these realities. And the church definitely needs to learn how to share the hope they have in this life.

Could say difference in parents and grandparents generation versus today.....

Want to be good, versus today people want to establish their identity.

Closing

If you have time, encourage them....

Be students of scripture but more importantly be formed by it

receive this attempt at a deep dive as a gift, but do not let it intimidate you. You can walk with Jesus faithfully.... I do not get to live in my seminary class room. If this does not shape our life then it really doesent matter, after all.

Yall this is too good. Let’s be excited about it again.

Love you, and thankful for you!