Chapter 14 Colossians 4


Colossians 4:2–4  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.

The Intercession Of The Saints

Paul has thus far given counsel to young and old, men and women as well as children and servants and for each one, and in all circumstances, we need to pray. It is not necessary to enter monasteries or otherwise shut oneself off from the world to continually pray. Continue means, to “be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing. To persevere and not to faint, to be in constant readiness.”1 It is in recognition of our need and of God’s love and care that will lead us to be in an attitude of prayer throughout our daily life.

Paul was and is, considered a great servant of God, yet he sought the prayers of the saints. Paul’s request was similar to the example of prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. He said we are to pray, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10 KJV).

Paul’s desire was that through the intercession of the saint’s, doors of opportunity to speak the mystery of the gospel would be opened. We also should pray that God would give us opportunities of witness, and pray for those involved in gospel work, for their strength, grace and wisdom and for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
Paul did not rely on his own knowledge, which was extensive, he desired the prayers of the saints that God would guide his words and teaching. We may think we have knowledge and experience, but we need the grace of God to rightly represent and speak His truth. To often individuals rely on their training and experience or what they believe to be the correct way to do God’s work. Instead, we need to live and teach in strict adherence to the Scriptures, and seeking His grace to follow His way faithfully.

Colossians 4:5–6  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.



The Life Of Godly Wisdom

When the Bible speaks of how we walk, this is referring to how we live or conduct our life. We are to live by the wisdom of God. This is wisdom gained in the study and application of the Scriptures, and in everything seeking the guidance of God. For you and I to live by God’s wisdom is to “trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:5–7 NLT).

 We are to live as godly examples among the people of God and in our home life, but especially in the eyes of those outside of the church. How we conduct our affairs in the neighborhood, in business and social interactions should have a telling influence for the principles of the Word of God.

Time is something that every individual equally possesses. Yet many people use their time in ways that are not healthful to body, mind or the spiritual side of our being. As Christians, we have no more ability than others to recapture time that is spent. However, by God’s grace we can redeem the time by using each day wisely and with the understanding, “you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). With such a conscious recognition and duty before us, we can rightly redeem the time, which means, “to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good.”2

 Our hearts need to be kept under the influence of the Spirit of Christ. Then in this way, our speech will be acceptable to God, and rightly representing the principles of heaven. What we say, how we say it, and when we speak should all be under the influence of grace. As salt adds flavor and can act as a preservative, so the life, words and actions of a true believer should have an influence for good. Rash, quick, and thoughtless speech is unbecoming in the Christian. Since our words can often flow so freely without thought, it is essential for a proper witness and God’s glory that our hearts are kept within the influence of God’s love.

 For “a good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT).

Colossians 4:7–9  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.



Paul Recommends Faithful Associates

Paul mentioned Tychicus in his letter to the Ephesians. It is likely that the letter of Ephesians and Colossians were written close together, and Tychicus carried both letters to the respective churches.

 Tychicus was a dear friend of Paul, and faithful to the call of the gospel and in service to the Lord. You and I should also live that we might receive the same commendation of others, to the praise of God.

 Not all that Paul wished to communicate to the churches was written down. Some things regarding Paul’s life in prison, the work, and further counsel and warning required personal communication. Also, some things necessary for the church to know may not have been prudent to commit to writing, given the unsettled state due to ongoing opposition in the midst of a pagan world. Faithfulness to communicate correctly as well as to minister to the church required someone with spiritual maturity and wisdom and Tychicus met this requirement.

Onesimus was to accompany Tychisus, and was recommended by Paul. Onesismus was a runaway slave who made his way to Rome, and there providence brought him under the influence of Paul. Onesimus belonged to a master named Philemon who lived in or near the city of Colossae. Onesimus was to accompany Tychicus, but he was also returning to his master. Paul’s letter of Philemon was likely carried at this time. In this letter, Paul tenderly speaks to Philemon encouraging him to receive Onesismus back, not in harshness but as a fellow Christian and a brother in the Lord.

Paul testified of Onesismus help to him, and how he will no doubt be of value to Philemon, not merely as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Philemon was encouraged to forgive his servant even as Christ had forgiven him.

Colossians 4:10–11  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.



Greetings From The Saints

Paul sends greeting to the church from Aristarchus. This brother accompanied Paul in some of his missionary journeys. Now apparently as Paul writes, Aristarchus is also in prison for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Acts chapter 19, 20 and 27 mentions Aristarchus, He was with Paul in Ephesus and was among those seized and accused when “there arose a great commotion about the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: ‘Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.’ Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, ‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians!’ So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus” (Acts 19:23–29).

 Paul next passes greetings to the church from Mark, and Justus. Mark was a relative of Barnabas who accompanied him and Paul in one missionary journey. There was later a disagreement between Paul and Barnabbas because of Mark’s actions of leaving the work when they were in Pamphylia. Barnabbas still wanted Mark to work with them while Paul disagreed with this. Despite Mark’s apparent initial faltering, he later became a trusted and valuable worker in the cause of God. Paul in writing to Timothy said, “Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11 NLT). This same Mark also wrote the gospel account bearing his name.

We learn from Mark’s experience that though we may falter in following the narrow way, God does not abandon us. He seeks to draw us and lead us to repentance and recommitment. Further, while we should uphold biblical principles when those younger in the faith and perhaps weaker make mistakes, we should be like Barnabas, and encourage and nurture. We are all weak and faulty in the Lord’s eyes, just as Mark was. However, by God’s grace and persistence on our part to seek His way, we can be assured the Lord will continually work to draw us to Himself, and make us what we ought to be.

There are two other occasions where a Justus is mentioned in Scripture Acts 1:23, and 18:7. However, it appears the brother Paul mentions here is a different person. Paul highly esteemed these three brothers and recommends them to the church. It is a sad commentary that Paul could only mention three faithful workers among the Jewish Christians. There were certainly others living and teaching the gospel throughout the empire, for the early church had many Jewish converts. However, at Rome only three Jewish converts in Paul’s view were noteworthy. This assessment of Paul, takes us back to his report to the Philippians of how there were those who taught the gospel but it was with strife and envy. (See Philippians 1:15.)

Colossians 4:12–15  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. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.



Intercession For The Saints

Epaphras was a native of Colossae, whom Paul described as “our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf” (Colossians 1:7). This brother though now with Paul in Rome continued to have a concern for the believers back home. Though not with them and able to minister directly, Paul tells the church what a great interest he has for them, even though a considerable distance separates them. His love for the brethren was evidenced by sincere and earnest pray that believers would continually live in the grace and will of God.

Epaphras did not engage in a mere generic prayer asking God to bless the church. He understood the great love of God revealed in Christ, and the light of the gospel that made apparent the darkness of Jewish tradition and pagan superstition, as well as the darkness that comes when a Christian does not walk in the light. (See 1 John 1:6.) Epaphras was praying that the principles Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and Colossae would find a place in the heart and life of the believers. (See Ephesians 3:14–20; 4:23–32; Colossians 1:9–14.)

 Luke was a friend of Paul and a gentile convert. He wrote the gospel account bearing his name and the book of Acts. His close association with Paul, and his own experience in the gospel provided a ready source of insight into the ministry of Christ and the rise of the early Church. In conjunction with human knowledge and experience, the Holy Spirit enabled him to be a major contributor to the record found in the New Testament.

Another companion of Paul at the time of writing this epistle was Demas. In the letter to Philemon, Paul includes Demas and Luke as “my fellow laborers.” However Paul writes later, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10). Demas’s unfaithfulness stands as a warning to us. Our faithfulness of the past or even presently is not sufficient for the future. It is only “he who endures to the end” who “will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

As was common in the early church many of the young congregations met in the homes of fellow believers, for this reason Paul singles out Nymphas and the church gathered at his home for a special greeting.

Colossians 4:16–18  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. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen



Hearing The Counsel Of God

Colosse was not far from Hierapolis and Laodicea and the letter to the Colossians was shared with them. New Testament epistles were often copied by hand and circulated among the churches. Was there a specific letter to the Laodiceans that was to be read in Colossae? We do not know for sure, if such a letter was written and subsequently lost, we can be certain existing letters cover the same principles of truth. It is also possible the church in Laodicea had one of Paul’s other epistles perhaps the letter to the Ephesians, and thus counsel is given for the church at Colossae to read that epistle as well. The limitations of reproducing manuscripts by hand, and the destruction of Christian material in future waves of persecution, is why we do not have an abundance of early Christian literature today.

Paul in his letter to Philemon, says of Achippus he is “our fellow soldier.” Considering the importance of the Christian teacher, the worker for God past and present is to be faithful to the gospel amidst ever-present error and compromise. To take heed, is to be diligent and acting with prayerful concern, faithful to the work and responsibility resting on all who minister the word of life. Archippus was not merely chosen by fellow believers to church office, his ministry was received of the Lord. The Spirit gives gifts to individuals for ministry and service as well as sanctifying and utilizing our talents both natural and acquired. In addition, each individual, Archippus included is to be wise in giving all to the cause of God. It is not likely Archippus was remiss in His duty, and Paul here is inserting a subtle rebuke, rather it is an encouragement by God’s grace to rise to the standard of the calling of a minister of the gospel.

 It was common for others to write out letters for Paul, but as this counsel and encouragement to the Colossians comes to a close, Paul takes up the quill and writes the closing remarks. He asks the church to remember his imprisonment that was for the Word of God and his witness to the risen Lord. This is a call for the believers to remember and pray for him, and to realize this letter was an evidence of Paul’s love and concern for the believers. And this love and care was not merely that of a fellow Christian, but was written under the direction of the Spirit and is thus heaven’s counsel. It is instruction that remains present truth for you and I individually.

I pray each one of us will avail ourselves of the grace and mercy of God, and that it would be known and lived each day by faith. Amen


Endnotes:

1. Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

2. Ibid.
 

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