Bible Commentaries
Colossians 4

Verse 1

Colossians 3:18 to Colossians 4:1 . Certain Duties Interpreted in Relation to Christ. Cf. Ephesians 5:22-33 *.— Col. omits the simile of Christ and the Church. A reason is given why fathers should not harass their children ( Colossians 3:21). Slaves who labour worthily shall have an inheritance in heaven ( Colossians 3:24).

Verses 2-6

Colossians 4:2-6 . A Request for Prayer: the Need of Wisdom.— The Colossians must persevere in prayer and be vigilant therein with thanksgiving; at the same time praying for Paul and His companions that God may open for them a “ door” of opportunity for the preaching of the word and the proclamation of the “ mystery” of Christ— the mystery for the sake of which Paul is in prison— that he may make manifest its hitherto hidden truth by preaching of the right kind. In relation to non-Christians, they are to walk wisely, buying up opportunities as they arise; their speech should be always courteous, and seasoned with the salt of a shrewdness which will know how to accommodate itself to individuals severally.

Colossians 4:3 . a door: cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12.

Colossians 4:4 . The preaching of the gospel is the manifestation of a “ mystery.”

Colossians 4:5 . redeeming the time: Ephesians 5:16 *.

Verses 7-18

Colossians 4:7-18 . Commendations and Salutations.

Colossians 4:7 . Tychicus: cf. Acts 20:4, Ephesians 6:21, Titus 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:12.

Colossians 4:9 . Onesimus: there is a touch of gentle humour in this reference to the returning runaway, both in what it says, and in what it omits.

Colossians 4:10 . Aristarchus: cf. Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2, Philemon 1:24.— Mark: the John Mark of Ac. ( Acts 13:5; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:36-40), and the author of the second gospel. A reconciliation must have taken place between him and Paul ( cf. 2 Timothy 4:11).

Colossians 4:11 . Jesus: otherwise unknown.— who are of the circumcision: Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus Justus are the only Jewish Christians who have worked with Paul in Rome.

Colossians 4:12 . Epaphras: cf. Colossians 4:17.

Colossians 4:14 . Luke: the author of the third gospel and Ac.— Demas: for his subsequent defection see 2 Timothy 4:10.

Colossians 4:15 . Nymphas: owner apparently of a house where the Christians met at Laodicea. The name may be either masculine or feminine; some MSS read, “ the church that is in her house.”

Colossians 4:17 . Archippus: cf. Philemon 1:2; nothing else is known of him. He seems to have been charged with some special ministerial work at Colossæ .

Colossians 4:18. Paul adds his signature ( cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 16:21), the rest of the letter being written by a scribe.