Bible Commentaries
Colossians 4

Introduction

Overview

Colossians 4:1, He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer; Colossians 4:5, to walk wisely toward them that are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ; Colossians 4:10, He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity.

Verse 1

give: Leviticus 19:13, Leviticus 25:39-43, Deuteronomy 15:12-15, Deuteronomy 24:14, Deuteronomy 24:15, Nehemiah 5:5-13, Job 24:11, Job 24:12, Job 31:13-15, Isaiah 58:3, Isaiah 58:5-9, Jeremiah 34:9-17, Malachi 3:5, James 2:13, James 5:4

ye: Ecclesiastes 5:8, Matthew 23:8, Matthew 23:9, Matthew 24:48-51, Luke 16:1-13, Luke 19:15, Ephesians 6:8, Ephesians 6:9-20, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:26 - General Leviticus 25:43 - rule Deuteronomy 15:13 - General Matthew 8:6 - my Matthew 20:4 - and whatsoever Mark 13:34 - and to Luke 7:2 - who Romans 6:4 - even Romans 12:11 - serving Colossians 3:25 - and Colossians 4:12 - that 1 Timothy 6:2 - believing

Verse 2

Continue: Colossians 4:12, Colossians 1:9, 1 Samuel 12:23, Job 15:4, Job 27:8-10, Psalms 55:16, Psalms 55:17, Psalms 109:4, Luke 18:1, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

watch: Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36, 1 Peter 4:7

thanksgiving: Colossians 2:7, Colossians 3:15, Colossians 3:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 17:12 - Moses' hands 1 Samuel 1:12 - continued praying Psalms 116:2 - therefore Daniel 6:20 - servest Matthew 6:5 - when Matthew 20:31 - but they cried Luke 6:12 - continued Acts 2:42 - and in prayers Acts 10:2 - and prayed 1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch 1 Thessalonians 5:6 - watch

Verse 3

praying: Romans 15:30-32, Ephesians 6:19, Philippians 1:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Philemon 1:22, Hebrews 13:18, Hebrews 13:19

that: 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:8

a door: The term door is used metaphorically for an entrance to any business, or occasion or opportunity of doing any thing; and consequently "a door of utterance" is an opportunity of preaching the gospel successfully. See the parallel texts.

the mystery: Colossians 1:26, Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:3, Matthew 13:11, 1 Corinthians 4:1, Ephesians 6:19

for: Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 6:20, Philippians 1:7, Philippians 1:13, Philippians 1:14, 2 Timothy 1:16, 2 Timothy 2:9

Reciprocal: Isaiah 57:19 - the fruit Ezekiel 29:21 - the opening Matthew 6:5 - when Luke 21:15 - I will John 10:3 - the porter Acts 10:27 - and found Acts 14:27 - opened Acts 28:31 - with 1 Corinthians 1:5 - in all 2 Corinthians 1:11 - helping Ephesians 3:4 - the mystery

Verse 4

I may: Matthew 10:26, Matthew 10:27, Acts 4:29, 2 Corinthians 3:12, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4

as: Colossians 4:6, Acts 5:29, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Ephesians 6:20

Reciprocal: Proverbs 23:16 - thy Isaiah 57:19 - the fruit Ezekiel 29:21 - the opening Luke 21:15 - I will Acts 28:31 - with 1 Corinthians 1:5 - in all Philippians 1:14 - waxing

Verse 5

Walk: Colossians 3:16, Psalms 90:12, Matthew 10:16, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 14:19-25, Ephesians 5:15-17, James 1:5, James 3:13, James 3:17

them: 1 Corinthians 5:12, 1 Corinthians 5:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, 1 Timothy 3:7, 1 Peter 3:1

redeeming: Ephesians 5:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:22 - General Genesis 13:7 - Canaanite Genesis 23:13 - I will Genesis 23:17 - made sure Genesis 29:13 - all these Genesis 47:16 - Give your cattle Deuteronomy 2:4 - take ye 1 Samuel 18:5 - wisely 1 Samuel 18:15 - wisely Psalms 39:1 - while Psalms 112:5 - he will Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Ecclesiastes 10:10 - wisdom Daniel 2:8 - gain Mark 4:11 - them John 9:4 - while Acts 17:21 - spent Romans 12:17 - Provide Galatians 6:10 - opportunity Ephesians 5:17 - be Philippians 4:8 - are of Colossians 1:9 - wisdom Colossians 1:10 - ye

Verse 6

your: Colossians 3:16, Deuteronomy 6:6, Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 11:19, 1 Chronicles 16:24, Psalms 37:30, Psalms 37:31, Psalms 40:9, Psalms 40:10, Psalms 45:2, Psalms 66:16, Psalms 71:15-18, Psalms 71:23, Psalms 71:24, Psalms 78:3, Psalms 78:4, Psalms 105:2, Psalms 119:13, Psalms 119:46, Proverbs 10:21, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 15:7, Proverbs 16:21-24, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 22:18, Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:12, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Malachi 3:16-18, Matthew 12:34, Matthew 12:35, Luke 4:22, Ephesians 4:29

seasoned: Leviticus 2:13, 2 Kings 2:20-22, Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50

how: Proverbs 26:4, Proverbs 26:5, Luke 20:20-40, 1 Peter 3:15

Reciprocal: Job 4:3 - Behold Job 6:6 - that which Job 15:3 - he reason Psalms 119:172 - tongue Proverbs 18:4 - words Proverbs 18:21 - Death Song of Solomon 4:3 - lips Song of Solomon 7:9 - the roof Ezekiel 43:24 - cast salt Matthew 5:37 - let Matthew 21:24 - I also Matthew 22:22 - they marvelled Mark 12:34 - And no Luke 6:45 - good man Luke 14:34 - but Luke 20:3 - I will John 8:7 - and said Colossians 4:4 - as James 1:26 - bridleth 1 Peter 4:11 - any

Verse 7

my: Ephesians 6:21-23

Tychicus: Acts 20:4, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12

a beloved: Colossians 4:9, Colossians 4:12, Ephesians 6:21, Philippians 2:25

a faithful: 1 Corinthians 4:1-4

Reciprocal: Acts 15:25 - our 1 Corinthians 4:2 - that Ephesians 6:22 - General Philippians 1:14 - brethren Colossians 4:11 - fellowworkers 1 Timothy 4:6 - a good 1 Peter 5:12 - a faithful

Verse 8

I have: 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18, Ephesians 6:22, Philippians 2:28, 1 Thessalonians 3:5

and comfort: Colossians 2:2, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 61:2, Isaiah 61:3, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:17

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 14:3 - comfort 1 Corinthians 16:18 - they Philippians 2:19 - to send

Verse 9

Onesimus: Colossians 4:7, Philemon 1:10-19

Reciprocal: Acts 15:25 - our 1 Corinthians 4:17 - faithful Ephesians 6:21 - beloved Philippians 2:19 - to send 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - our brother 1 Peter 5:12 - a faithful

Verse 10

Aristarchus: Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, Acts 27:2, Philemon 1:24

saluteth: Romans 16:21-23

and Marcus: Acts 12:12, Acts 13:5, Acts 13:13, Acts 15:37-39, 2 Timothy 4:11, 1 Peter 5:13

receive: Romans 16:2, 2 John 1:8, 2 John 1:9

Reciprocal: Acts 15:4 - received Acts 18:27 - exhorting Romans 16:7 - kinsmen 2 Corinthians 7:2 - Receive Galatians 2:1 - Barnabas Philippians 2:29 - Receive Philippians 4:21 - The Philemon 1:23 - my fellowprisoner

Verse 11

who: Acts 10:45, Acts 11:2, Romans 4:12, Galatians 2:7, Galatians 2:8, Ephesians 2:11, Titus 1:10

fellowworkers: Colossians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, 2 Corinthians 6:1, Philippians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, Philemon 1:1, Philemon 1:24

a comfort: 2 Corinthians 7:6, 2 Corinthians 7:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:7

Reciprocal: Matthew 9:37 - but Acts 18:7 - Justus Philippians 2:20 - I have Philippians 2:25 - companion 2 Timothy 1:14 - good 3 John 1:8 - fellowhelpers

Verse 12

Epaphras: Colossians 1:7, Philemon 1:23

a servant: John 12:26, Galatians 1:10, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1

always: Colossians 4:2, Luke 22:44, Galatians 4:19, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:16

labouring: or, striving, Colossians 2:1-23

that: Colossians 4:1, Romans 15:30, see note on Colossians 1:9, Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 14:20,*Gr: 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 5:14,*Gr: Hebrews 6:1, Jude 1:24

complete: or, filled, Romans 15:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:24 - wrestled Job 36:4 - perfect Matthew 7:21 - that Luke 10:2 - the labourers Luke 11:8 - because of Luke 18:1 - that Acts 6:4 - prayer Romans 6:22 - become Romans 12:2 - good Romans 12:11 - fervent Romans 12:12 - continuing Romans 16:12 - labour 1 Corinthians 7:22 - is Christ's 1 Corinthians 16:13 - stand 2 Corinthians 13:9 - even Ephesians 4:1 - walk Ephesians 6:6 - doing Ephesians 6:13 - to stand Philippians 3:15 - as Philippians 4:1 - so Colossians 1:29 - labour Colossians 4:7 - a beloved 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - affectionately 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - our brother 1 Thessalonians 3:10 - might perfect 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - this Hebrews 10:36 - after Hebrews 13:21 - Make James 1:4 - perfect and James 3:2 - a perfect 1 Peter 4:2 - the will 1 John 2:17 - but

Verse 13

I bear: Romans 10:2, 2 Corinthians 8:3

Laodicea: Laodicea and Hierapolis were both cities of Phrygia in Asia Minor, between which, and equidistant from each, was situated Colosse. Laodicea was seated near the Lycus, about 63 miles east of Ephesus; and became one of the largest and richest towns in Phrygia, vying in power with the maritime cities. It is now called Eski-hissar, the old castle; and besides the whole surface within the city's wall being strewed with pedestals and fragments, the ruins of an amphitheatre, a magnificent odeum, and other public buildings, attest its former splendour and magnificence. But, when visited by Dr. Chandler, all was silence and solitude; and a fox, first discovered by his ears peeping over a brow, was the only inhabitant of Laodicea. Hierapolis, now Pambouk-Kaiesi, was situated, according to the Itinerary, six miles n of Laodicea; and its ruins are now about a mile and a half in circumference. Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:16, Colossians 2:1, Revelation 1:11, Revelation 3:14-18

Reciprocal: Romans 12:11 - fervent Galatians 4:15 - I bear

Verse 14

Luke: 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24

Demas: 2 Timothy 4:10, Philemon 1:24

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 16:12 - physicians

Verse 15

Laodicea: Colossians 4:13

the church: Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Philemon 1:2

Reciprocal: 1 Corinthians 16:19 - the church Colossians 2:1 - at 2 Timothy 4:10 - Demas Revelation 1:11 - Laodicea

Verse 16

1 Thessalonians 5:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:7 - read Jeremiah 51:61 - read Colossians 2:1 - at Colossians 4:13 - Laodicea Revelation 1:11 - Laodicea Revelation 3:14 - of the Laodiceans

Verse 17

Archippus: Philemon 1:2

Take: Leviticus 10:3, Numbers 18:5, 2 Chronicles 29:11, Ezekiel 44:23, Ezekiel 44:24, Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 4:16, 1 Timothy 6:11-14, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

the ministry: Acts 1:17, Acts 14:23, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6, 2 Timothy 2:2

fulfil: 2 Timothy 4:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:2 - in whose Leviticus 21:24 - Aaron Numbers 3:25 - the charge Numbers 27:19 - give him Numbers 31:30 - keep the Matthew 25:17 - he also Acts 6:4 - give Acts 13:2 - they Acts 14:26 - the work Romans 12:7 - ministry 1 Corinthians 3:10 - But let every 1 Corinthians 9:16 - woe Ephesians 4:12 - the work 1 Timothy 6:14 - keep

Verse 18

by: 1 Corinthians 16:21, 2 Thessalonians 3:17

Remember: 2 Timothy 1:8, Hebrews 13:3

Grace: Romans 16:20, Romans 16:24, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:22, Hebrews 13:25

Reciprocal: Acts 28:20 - this chain Ephesians 3:1 - the Ephesians 6:24 - Grace Philippians 1:7 - as 1 Thessalonians 2:18 - even 1 Thessalonians 3:6 - and that 2 Timothy 2:9 - but