Christian Graces; Final Greetings

Masters,(A) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Christian Graces

(B)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (C)with thanksgiving; (D)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (E)open to us a door for the word, to speak (F)the [a]mystery of Christ, (G)for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

(H)Walk in (I)wisdom toward those who are outside, (J)redeeming the time. Let your speech always be (K)with grace, (L)seasoned with salt, (M)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings(N)

(O)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. (P)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [b]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with (Q)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

10 (R)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with (S)Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 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.

12 (T)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always (U)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand (V)perfect and [c]complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great [d]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 (W)Luke the beloved physician and (X)Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [e]Nymphas and (Y)the church that is in [f]his house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

16 Now when (Z)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 (AA)Archippus, “Take heed to (AB)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 (AC)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. (AD)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:3 hidden truth
  2. Colossians 4:8 NU you may know our circumstances and he may comfort
  3. Colossians 4:12 NU fully assured
  4. Colossians 4:13 NU concern
  5. Colossians 4:15 NU Nympha
  6. Colossians 4:15 NU her

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, (A)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

(B)Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time (C)for us as well, that God will open up to us a (D)door for (E)the word, so that we may proclaim (F)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also (G)been imprisoned; that I may make it clear (H)in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

[a](I)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward (J)outsiders, [b](K)making the most of the opportunity. (L)Your speech must always be [c]with grace, as though seasoned with (M)salt, so that you will know how you should (N)respond to each person.

(O)As to all my affairs, (P)Tychicus, our (Q)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. (R)For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may (S)encourage your hearts; [d]and with him is (T)Onesimus, our faithful and (U)beloved brother, (V)who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

10 (W)Aristarchus, my (X)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also (Y)Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received [e]instructions; (Z)if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only (AA)fellow workers for the kingdom of God (AB)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 (AC)Epaphras, (AD)who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always (AE)striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may [f]stand [g](AF)mature and [h]fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has [i]a deep concern for you and for those who are in (AG)Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 (AH)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and (AI)Demas does also. 15 Greet the brothers and sisters who are in (AJ)Laodicea and also [j]Nympha and (AK)the church that is in [k]her house. 16 (AL)When [l]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, (AM)read [m]my letter that is coming from (AN)Laodicea. 17 Tell (AO)Archippus, “See to the (AP)ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may [n]fulfill it.”

18 [o]I, Paul, (AQ)write this greeting with my own hand. (AR)Remember my [p](AS)imprisonment. (AT)Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:5 Lit Walk
  2. Colossians 4:5 Lit redeeming the time
  3. Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
  4. Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
  5. Colossians 4:10 Or orders
  6. Colossians 4:12 Or stand firm
  7. Colossians 4:12 Or fully developed
  8. Colossians 4:12 Or made complete
  9. Colossians 4:13 Or much toil; or great pain
  10. Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
  11. Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
  12. Colossians 4:16 Lit the
  13. Colossians 4:16 Lit the
  14. Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
  15. Colossians 4:18 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul
  16. Colossians 4:18 Lit bonds

Fellow Workers

Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.(A)

Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us, too, that God will open a door [of opportunity] to us for the word, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have been imprisoned; that I may make it clear [and speak boldly and unfold the mystery] in the way I should.

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].

As to all my affairs, [a]Tychicus, who is a much-loved brother and faithful assistant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will give you all the information.(B) I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him is [b]Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will let you know everything about the situation here [in Rome].

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you. 15 Give my greetings to the [c]brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn read [d]my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:7 Tychicus probably delivered this letter to Colossae, as well as Paul’s letter to Ephesus, while traveling on the same journey.
  2. Colossians 4:9 Onesimus was Philemon’s runaway slave who was converted to Christianity under Paul’s ministry.
  3. Colossians 4:15 Lit brethren.
  4. Colossians 4:16 Paul is most likely referring to the letter he wrote to the Ephesians (see note Eph 1:1) during this same time period.

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(E) Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) Let your conversation be always full of grace,(I) seasoned with salt,(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(K)

Final Greetings

Tychicus(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](M) in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(N) He is coming with Onesimus,(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(R) the cousin of Barnabas.(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(U) who is one of you(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(X) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(Y) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(Z) the doctor, and Demas(AA) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AC)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AF)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AG) Remember(AH) my chains.(AI) Grace be with you.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  2. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  3. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

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:

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

11 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.

12 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.

13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

16 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.

17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.