Colossians 4

Colossians 4:1
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

“Servants” means “slaves.”

So it seems evident, some of the Colossians had slaves. Paul didn’t condemn them for it. However, he didn’t condone it either. In fact, he threaded lightly, but the point of this verse is that slavery is wrong.

Let me explain.

We have the phrase to give “that which is just and equal” which certainly translates to freedom.

Now ask yourself, how can a slave be “equal” to his master unless he is free?

Then we have a reminder, “knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven.”

God is our Heavenly Master who will right all wrongs. He is fair and just, and will judge us according to our works here on earth, (1 Peter 1:17).

Never forget it.

Also, what did we learn in Colossians 3:22?

With God “there is no respect of persons.”

That means God doesn’t love the master more than the slave and vice versa. Instead, God loves someone due to their faith, love, and works in Him.

Now, in the modern era, we can think of this master/slave relationship as employment today. In a sense, masters are employers, so always treat your employees justly and equally. Give them a fair day’s pay for an honest day’s work. Don’t shortchange them.

Otherwise, God’s keeping track in Heaven.

Continue In Prayer

Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Christians always want to ensure they are consistent in prayer. It keeps our spirit tied to God, it keeps the door of communication open. We also want to “watch,” to stay spiritually alert for any spiritual harm that may be knocking on our door.

At times, we can have weak family members, ones who are new to Christianity, or who are trying to get back on track. Pray for their spiritual health, and then nurture them along.

Colossians 4:3-4
3 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:

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

It seems obvious, Paul was in prison for sharing this “mystery of Christ.” That Jesus Christ had come to save all, and that God’s Plan of salvation was revealed through His Son.

So in your praying, ensure you pray that this message, that Jesus Christ and the Word of God will continue to spread around the world. Pray that it reaches families, the rich, and the poor in all places. Pray that it changes hearts.

Never take the Word of God for granted.

Never take your faith for granted.

Colossians 4:5
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Don’t forget the history here.

Paul is speaking to the Colossians from two thousand years ago. He is nurturing a newly established church, and these are his instructions to them.

You have to remember, the Colossians were surrounded by pagan Gentiles. So they were being instructed to deal with them honestly and uprightly, and we should do the same today.

As Colossians 3:23 states, “whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.”

Remember that.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

I want you to consider some of the meanings of the word “grace.”

• Acceptable
• Gratitude
• Pleasure
• The divine influence upon the heart

So then, our speech should “always” be acceptable to others, it should reflect Christ in our hearts. This is how we win people over, this is how we build the church of Christ. That means our speech should be seasoned with salt, that means our speech should not be dull, but inspired!

Moreover, when you’re asked about your faith in God. Have an answer for them. Answer their questions or find an answer for them. When someone asks you about your faith, they just came knocking on your door, and in turn, Christ’s door.

Don’t let God down.

Final Greeting

Colossians 4:7-9
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

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

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

Paul is telling the Colossians through this letter, Tychicus and Onesimus will personally tell them of the trials and tribulations that Paul has endured for the faith. These men were not messengers, they were “ministers” of the Lord.

They were diligently working to bring God’s Word to the world. They were not doing it for money or fame, they were doing it for God.

Can you imagine the early days?

They traveled by foot in inclement weather: hot, cold, it didn’t matter. Then they had to deal with bandits and unruly government as we have witnessed with Paul being in prison.

So never take the Bible in your hands for granted. Lots of men, especially our Lord paid a heavy price for it to be there.

Colossians 4:10-11
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.

Aristarchus was Paul’s sidekick, (Acts 19:29, 20:4).

Now remember about “circumcision.”

Prior to Jesus, “circumcision” involved blood ordinances that were nailed to the cross with Him. Today, we partake of the “circumcision of Christ” as “circumcision is that of the heart,” it’s our belief in Jesus Christ, (Romans 2:29).

Therefore, Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus were his only “fellowworkers” that were also converted from the old Law. They converted to Christianity, and only they comforted Paul in his work for God.

The message for us today, always comfort your brothers and sisters during difficult moments in life. Especially during trials and tribulations, be one of the few there with family, friends, and strangers during their dark times.

Colossians 4:12-13
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.

This is exactly what Christians are supposed to do. Labor together, pray for one another, and lift each other up!

Notice, it’s not just Epaphras who has great zeal for the Colossians, but also those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Christianity was not only spreading around the world, but each church lifted up the next, uplifting the whole body of Christ.

Colossians 4:14
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Yes, Luke, the writer of the New Testament book bearing his name was a physician (also Acts).

Within this very short verse, there is a very big message.

Demas was also a fellow servant of Paul, (Philemon 1:24). Unfortunately, at a later date, Demas “loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica,” (2 Timothy 4:10). Demas did have faith, but his spiritual lamp ran out of oil. He was like the seeds sown in the “stony places,” (Matthew 13:20-21).

Ensure you never fall into that group.

Ensure you have strong spiritual roots by continually maintaining yourself in Scripture and prayer.

Colossians 4:15-16
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.

Not only is Laodicea mentioned, but specifically “the church of the Laodiceans.” This should remind you of Revelation 3:14-22. This church was one of the five that Jesus was unhappy with.

Yet, during the time of Paul, it seems as though things were going well in Laodicea.

This tells us a couple of things.

The book of Colossians was written around 60 AD, while Revelation was penned around 90 AD. Therefore, it’s very possible the church of the Laodiceans became corrupted over that thirty-year span. They fell away, just as Demas did.

There’s one other explanation.

The church was already beginning to have trouble during the time of Paul. Yet, he was doing his best to ensure Christ would stay within that church, through the discourse found in this letter, and the outreach of his fellow servants.

We know for a fact, even though five of the seven churches of Revelation were on the wrong track, redemption was always open to all. That’s why Jesus told the church of Laodicea,

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Revelation 3:21

I love the hidden message within this.

No matter what group of people you are involved with, you can make the right decision to come out of a bad group of people. You always have the opportunity to join Christ, no matter what everyone else is doing.

Don’t be like Demas, stick to Jesus, and abandon the world.

Colossians 4:17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

This is an interesting verse.

Was Paul affirming Archippus who led one of the churches, or reminding him to stay the course, (1 Peter 5:3)?

We don’t know the answer to that question.

Nevertheless, our takeaway is to “take heed,” “beware,” and “regard” any church or congregation of Christians you preside over. Always remember, God placed you over it, so do your best to fulfill His divine mission.

Colossians 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

With the conclusion of Paul’s letter, we have the conclusion of this book.

Remember his struggles, and why he did it, and apply the examples in this book to your life.

Grace be with you.