King James Version
Colossians 4
18 verses with commentary
Masters and Slaves
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
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<strong>Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.</strong> Paul addresses slaveholders, balancing servants' duties (3:22-25) with masters' responsibilities. "Give unto your servants that which is just and equal" (<em>to dikaion kai tēn isotēta tois doulois parechesthe</em>, τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε) command...
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IV.
(1) **Just and equal.**—The word “equal,” or, rather, the substantive so translated, has the sense either of “equity” or “equality.” The former is far commoner (especially in connection with justice), and probably all that is intended here. At the same time, the idea running through the passage is of a common fellow-service to Christ of all alike, and in Colossians 3:11 we are reminded that “i...
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**20. For--**Greek, as in Ep 6:19, "On behalf of which."
**an ambassador in bonds--**a paradox. Ambassadors were held inviolable by the law of nations, and could not, without outrage to every sacred right, be put in chains. Yet Christ's "ambassador is in a chain!" The Greek is singular. The Romans used to bind a prisoner to a soldier by a single chain, in a kind of free custody. So Ac 28:16, 20,...
Read full commentary →Devoted to Prayer
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
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<strong>Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.</strong> Paul transitions to closing exhortations. "Continue in prayer" (<em>tē proseuchē proskartereite</em>, τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε) commands persistent prayer—not sporadic but sustained, devoted, steadfast intercession. Present imperative indicates ongoing action. "Watch in the same" (<em>grēgorountes en autē</em>, γρηγορο...
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[**7.Conclusion of the Epistle.**
(1)FINAL EXHORTATION to prayer (especially for St. Paul himself), and to wisdom towards those without, both in deed and in word (Colossians 4:2-6).
(2)COMMENDATION of Tychicus and Onesimus (Colossians 4:7-9).
(3)SALUTATION from Aristarchus, Marcus, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas (Colossians 4:10-14).
(4)CHARGE to this Church to exchange greetings and letters with t...
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**21. that ye also--**as I have been discussing things relating to you, so that ye also may know about me (compare Col 4:7, 8). Neander takes it, "Ye also," as well as the Colossians (Col 4:6).
**my affairs--**Greek, "the things concerning me."
**how I do--**how I fare.
**Tychicus--**an Asiatic, and so a fit messenger bearing the respective Epistles to Ephesus and Colosse (Ac 20:4; 2Ti 4:12)...
Read full commentary →Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
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<strong>Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.</strong> Paul requests personal prayer support. "Praying also for us" (<em>proseuchomenoi hama kai peri hēmōn</em>, προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν) asks Colossians to intercede for Paul's missionary team. Despite imprisonment, Paul prioritizes gospel a...
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(3) **A door of utterance.**—Comp. a similar phrase in 1Corinthians 16:9; 2Corinthians 2:12. There, however, the opened door is the door of external opportunity; here the “door of utterance” is the removal of all internal impediments to preaching.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**22. for the same purpose--**Greek, "for this very purpose." Col 4:8 is almost word for word the same as this verse.
**our affairs--**Greek, "the things concerning us," namely, concerning myself. "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas" (Col 4:10).
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
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<strong>That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.</strong> Paul specifies prayer request's content: "that I may make it manifest" (<em>hina phanerōsō auto</em>, ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτό)—that he might clearly reveal the mystery. Clarity matters; gospel proclamation requires comprehensible communication, not obscure religious jargon. "As I ought to speak" (<em>hōs dei me lalēsai</em>, ὡς δεῖ με λα...
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**23. love with faith--**Faith is presupposed as theirs; he prays that love may accompany it (Ga 5:6).
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
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<strong>Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.</strong> Paul shifts to believers' witness to unbelievers. "Walk in wisdom" (<em>en sophia peripateite</em>, ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε) commands conducting life wisely. "Toward them that are without" (<em>pros tous exō</em>, πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω) means outsiders, non-Christians. Believers' conduct toward unbelievers requires special wisd...
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(5) **Walk in wisdom . . . redeeming the time.**—In the parallel passage (Ephesians 5:15) we have “walk strictly, not as fools, but as wise,” and the limitation “towards them that are without” is omitted, although it is added that “the days are evil.” The context, as will be seen by reference, is different, and the idea also somewhat different. There the “strictness” and “wisdom” are to guard agai...
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24. Contrast the malediction on all who love Him not (1Co 16:22).
**in sincerity--**Greek, "in incorruption," that is, not as English Version, but "with an immortal (constant) love" [Wahl]. Compare "that which is not corruptible" (1Pe 3:4). Not a fleeting, earthly love, but a spiritual and eternal one [Alford]. Contrast Col 2:22, worldly things "which perish with the using." Compare 1Co 9:25, "c...
Read full commentary →Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
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<strong>Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.</strong> Paul focuses on Christian speech in evangelism. "Let your speech be alway with grace" (<em>ho logos hymōn pantote en chariti</em>, ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι) demands gracious communication—kind, winsome, attractive, not harsh or condemning. Grace characterizes content (...
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(6) **Seasoned with salt.**—It seems impossible not to trace here a reference to our Lord’s words in Mark 9:50, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves.” There the salt is spoken of as the preservative from corruption, and the warning against “corrupt” words in Ephesians 4:29 has been thought to point in the same direction. But th...
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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS
Final Greetings and Instructions
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
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<strong>All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord.</strong> Paul introduces Tychicus, letter carrier and personal representative. "All my state" (<em>ta kat' eme panta</em>, τὰ κατ' ἐμὲ πάντα) refers to Paul's personal circumstances. "Shall Tychicus declare" (<em>gnōrisei hymin Tychikos</em>, γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικός)...
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(7, 8) These verses present an almost exact verbal coincidence with Ephesians 6:21-22, on which see Notes. In the verses, however, which follow, the particularity and detail of this Epistle stand in marked contrast with the brief generality of Ephesians 6:23-24. Remembering that the two Epistles were sent at the same time, and that Ephesus was a church far better known than Colossæ, we cannot but ...
Read full commentary →Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
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<strong>Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts.</strong> Paul specifies Tychicus's dual purpose: "that he might know your estate" (<em>hina gnō ta peri hymōn</em>, ἵνα γνῷ τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν) and "comfort your hearts" (<em>parakalesē tas kardias hymōn</em>, παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν). Tychicus would gather information about Colossae for ...
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INTRODUCTION
The INTERNAL EVIDENCE for the authenticity of this Epistle is strong. The style, manner of thought, and doctrine, accord with Paul's. The incidental allusions also establish his authorship. Paley [Horæ Paulinæ, ch. 7] instances the mention of the object of Epaphroditus' journey to Rome, the Philippian contribution to Paul's wants, Epaphroditus' sickness (Php 1:7; 2:25-30; 4:10-18), ...
Read full commentary →With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
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<strong>With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.</strong> Paul introduces Onesimus, traveling with Tychicus. Onesimus was Philemon's runaway slave (Philemon 10-16), converted under Paul's ministry, now returning to Colossae. Paul's description—"faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you"—emphasizes Onesimu...
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(9) **Onesimus.**—See Philemon 1:10-17. The emphatic reference to him as being “faithful and beloved” like Tychicus, and “one of you” like Epaphras, is a remarkable commentary on St. Paul’s exhortation as to slaves and masters in the preceding chapter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. Grace ... peace--**The very form of this salutation implies the union of Jew, Greek, and Roman. The Greek salutation was "joy" (chairein), akin to the Greek for "grace" (charis). The Roman was "health," the intermediate term between grace and peace. The Hebrew was "peace," including both temporal and spiritual prosperity. Grace must come first if we are to have true peace.
**from ... from--...
Read full commentary →Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
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<strong>Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)</strong> Paul sends greetings from companions. Aristarchus, "my fellowprisoner" (<em>ho synaichmalōtos mou</em>, ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου), shares Paul's imprisonment—whether literally imprisoned or metaphorically as prisoner of Christ's s...
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(10) **Aristarchus my** **fellowprisoner.**—Apparently a Jew, one “of the circumcision” But he is “of Thessalonica,” and is first named (in Acts 19:22) as dragged with Gaius into the theatre in the tumult at Ephesus; thence he accompanied St. Paul (Acts 20:4), at any rate as far as Asia, on his journey to Jerusalem. When, after two years’ captivity, the Apostle starts from Cæsarea on his voyage to...
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3. Translate, "In all my remembrance of you."
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
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<strong>And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.</strong> Paul mentions Jesus Justus, otherwise unknown. "Which is called Justus" distinguishes him from Jesus Christ; Justus (Latin "righteous") was likely Roman name supplementing Hebrew name. "Who are of the circumcision" identifies t...
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(11) **Jesus, which is called Justus.**—The surname “Justus” is found in Acts 1:23; Acts 18:7; we learn from tradition that by it, or by its equivalent, St. James, “the Lord’s brother,” was known. In this case it is curious that one who bore our Lord’s name should also have been known by a surname which was His peculiar title, “the Just One.” (See Acts 22:14; and comp. Luke 23:47.) Of this Justus ...
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**4. making request--**Translate, "making my request."
**for you all--**The frequent repetition in this Epistle of "all" with "you," marks that Paul desires to declare his love for all alike, and will not recognize any divisions among them.
**with joy--**the characteristic feature in this Epistle, as love is in that to the Ephesians (compare Php 1:18; Php 2:2, 19, 28; 3:1; 4:1, 4). Love and jo...
Read full commentary →Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. labouring: or, striving complete: or, filled
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<strong>Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.</strong> Paul returns to Epaphras, Colossae's apparent founder (1:7). "Who is one of you" (<em>ho ex hymōn</em>, ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν) emphasizes his Colossian origin. "A servant of Christ" (<em>doulos Christou Iēsou</em>, δοῦλος...
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(12) **Epaphras.**—See Note on Colossians 1:7.
**Servant of Christ.**—A title assumed by St. James and St. Judo, as well as by St. Paul himself, but given by him only to Timothy (Philippians 1:1) and to Epaphras here. Of course, all Christians are “servants of Christ.” But the name, as applied here, is no doubt distinctive of some peculiar character of service.
**Labouring fervently.**—Properly, *...
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5. Ground of his "thanking God" (Php 1:3): "For your (continued) fellowship (that is, real spiritual participation) in (literally, 'in regard to') the Gospel from the first day (of your becoming partakers in it) until now." Believers have the fellowship of the Son of God (1Co 1:9) and of the Father (1Jo 1:3) in the Gospel, by becoming partakers of "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost" (2Co 13:14), an...
Read full commentary →For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
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<strong>For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.</strong> Paul testifies to Epaphras's devoted ministry. "I bear him record" (<em>martyrō gar autō</em>, μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ) means "I testify concerning him"—Paul witnesses Epaphras's character and labor. "That he hath a great zeal" (<em>hoti echei polyn ponon</em>, ὅτι ἔχει πολὺν ...
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(13) On the natural union of Laodicea and Hierapolis with Colossæ, partly local and historical, partly, no doubt, having reference to their conversion by the same instrumentality (of Epaphras), see Note on Colossians 2:1 and *Introduction.* Epaphras is said to have great “zeal” (properly, *great labour*) of anxiety—finding vent in the wrestling in prayer noted above—for all three cities, for which...
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**6. confident--**This confidence nerves prayers and thanksgivings (Php 1:3, 4).
**this very thing--**the very thing which he prays for (Php 1:4) is the matter of his believing confidence (Mr 11:24; 1Jo 5:14, 15). Hence the result is sure.
**he which hath begun--**God (Php 2:13).
**a good work--**Any work that God begins, He will surely finish (1Sa 3:12). Not even men begin a work at random....
Read full commentary →Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
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<strong>Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.</strong> Paul mentions two more companions. "Luke, the beloved physician" (<em>Loukas ho iatros ho agapētos</em>, Λουκᾶς ὁ ἰατρὸς ὁ ἀγαπητός) identifies Luke by profession and affection. Luke authored the third gospel and Acts, documenting early Christianity with historical precision. His medical training possibly served Paul's chronic phy...
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(14) **Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas.**—Comp. Philemon 1:24. The original is even more emphatic, “Luke the physician, the beloved one.” Demas, on the contrary, is barely named. It is impossible not to pass on in thought to the last notice of the two by St. Paul (2Timothy 4:10), “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. . . . only Luke is with me.”
On the relation of St. Lu...
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**7. meet--**Greek, "just."
**to think this--**to have the prayerful confidence I expressed (Php 1:4-6).
**of you--**literally, "in behalf of you." Paul's confident prayer in their behalf was that God would perfect His own good work of grace in them.
**because, &c.--**Punctuate and translate, "Because I have you in my heart (so Php 1:8; otherwise the Greek and the words immediately follo...
Read full commentary →Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
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<strong>Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.</strong> Paul sends greetings to Laodicean Christians seven miles from Colossae. "The brethren which are in Laodicea" likely formed house church or multiple house churches. "Nymphas" is individual believer (name's gender is uncertain—could be male Nymphas or female Nympha depending on manuscript t...
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(15) **The brethren which are in Laodicea.**—The comparison of this phrase with the more general “church of the Laodiceans” below has led to the idea that some special body of Christians—Dr. Lightfoot suggests a “family of Colossian Christians”—at Laodicea is here referred to. But more probably the whole of the Laodicean Christians are meant in both passages. In their individual character they are...
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8. Confirmation of Php 1:7.
**record--**that is, witness.
**in the bowels of Jesus Christ--**"Christ Jesus" is the order in the oldest manuscripts. My yearning love (so the Greek implies) to you is not merely from natural affection, but from devotedness to Christ Jesus. "Not Paul, but Jesus Christ lives in Paul; wherefore Paul is not moved in the bowels (that is, the tender love, Jr 31:20) of ...
Read full commentary →And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
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<strong>And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.</strong> Paul instructs letter circulation. "When this epistle is read among you" (<em>hotan anagnōsthē par' hymin hē epistolē</em>, ὅταν ἀναγνωσθῇ παρ' ὑμῖν ἡ ἐπιστολή) assumes public reading during church gathering—standard practice bef...
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(16) **When this epistle.**—In the implied direction to read this Epistle in the Church—a direction expressly given under like circumstances to the Church at Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 5:27)—we discern the method of first publication of the Apostolic Epistles; in the direction to interchange Epistles with the Laodicean Church, we trace the way in which these Epistles became more widely diffused,...
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9. The subject of his prayer for them (Php 1:4).
**your love--**to Christ, producing love not only to Paul, Christ's minister, as it did, but also to one another, which it did not altogether as much as it ought (Php 2:2; 4:2).
**knowledge--**of doctrinal and practical truth.
**judgment--**rather, "perception"; "perceptive sense." Spiritual perceptiveness: spiritual sight, spiritual hearing, ...
Read full commentary →And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
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<strong>And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.</strong> Paul singles out Archippus for specific exhortation. "Say to Archippus" (<em>kai eipate Archippō</em>, καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ) delivers personal message through church. Archippus appears in Philemon 2 as "fellowsoldier," suggesting significant ministry role, possibly Colossae's p...
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(17) **Say to Archippus.**—Archippus is included in the salutation of the Epistle to Philemon (Philemon 1:1) apparently as a member of his family, and is generally thought to have been his son. He held a “ministry in the Church. The word is the same as the word “diaconate,” but it is obviously used in a more general sense, precisely as in the charge to Timothy (2Timothy 4:5), “Make full proof of t...
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10. Literally, "With a view to your proving (and so approving and embracing) the things that excel" (Ro 2:18); not merely things not bad, but the things best among those that are good; the things of more advanced excellence. Ask as to things, not merely, Is there no harm, but is there any good, and which is the best?
**sincere--**from a Greek root. Examined in the sunlight and found pure.
**wi...
Read full commentary →The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
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<strong>The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.</strong> Paul concludes with personal signature. "The salutation by the hand of me Paul" (<em>ho aspasmos tē emē cheiri Paulou</em>, ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου) indicates Paul personally wrote this closing, authenticating the letter (amanuensis likely wrote the body). "Remember my bonds" (<em>mnēmoneuete...
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(18) **The salutation by the hand of me Paul.**—Comp. 2Thessalonians 3:17, “The salutation by the hand of me Paul, which is the token in every Epistle.” This invariable autograph salutation was “Grace be with you” in various forms, from the brevity of the text here to the fulness of 2Corinthians 1:2, which has become the universal Christian blessing. In different epistles it is associated with dif...
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11. The oldest manuscripts read the singular, "fruit." So Ga 5:22 (see on Ga 5:22); regarding the works of righteousness, however manifold, as one harmonious whole, "the fruit of the Spirit" (Ep 5:9) Jas 3:18, "the fruit of righteousness" (He 12:11); Ro 6:22, "fruit unto holiness."
**which are--**"which is by (Greek, 'through') Jesus Christ." Through His sending to us the Spirit from the Father....
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