ColossiansChapter 4

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Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Devote yourselves to prayer, staying alert in it with thanksgiving.

Pray for us as well, that God may open a door for the word, so that we may declare the mystery of Christ—for which I am in chains—

and that I may make it plain, as I ought to speak.

Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how to answer each person.

Tychicus will tell you all about my situation. He is a beloved brother, a faithful servant and fellow slave in the Lord.

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts.

With him comes Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and so does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him.

Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only ones from among the circumcised who are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand mature and fully convinced in everything God wills.

For I testify that he works hard for you and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.

Luke, our beloved physician, greets you, and so does Demas.

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

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

And tell Archippus: "See to the ministry you have received in the Lord, and complete it."

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

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Summary2

Chapter 4

Main Theme: Paul concludes the letter with exhortations concerning prayer and wise conduct, along with personal greetings from his fellow workers.

Content: The chapter opens with an instruction to masters to treat their slaves justly. Paul urges perseverance in prayer and asks for intercession regarding his proclamation of the mystery of Christ. Believers are to act wisely toward outsiders and speak with grace. The chapter ends with greetings from coworkers such as Tychicus, Onesimus, Epaphras, and Luke, as well as practical instructions concerning the exchange of letters with Laodicea.

Key Words/Images:

Prayer (προσευχή): Perseverance in prayer with alertness and thankfulness is central to the Christian life.
Door for the word (θύραν τοῦ λόγου): A metaphor for the opportunity to proclaim the gospel, which Paul requests.
Salt (ἅλατι): Speech seasoned with salt symbolizes wisdom and relevance in communication with others.
Fellow workers (συνεργοί): Paul's network of faithful coworkers demonstrates the fellowship and cooperation within the church.
Chains (δεσμῶν): Paul's imprisonment for Christ's sake, which he asks the recipients to remember.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Colossians 4

People

This chapter is unusually rich in personal names and offers a rare glimpse into the early Christian network around Paul. Tychicus (v. 7) was a faithful coworker from the province of Asia, also mentioned in Acts 20:4 and Ephesians 6:21. He served as Paul's letter carrier and personal representative. Onesimus (v. 9), described as "one of your own," was the runaway slave who is the central figure in the Letter to Philemon—his presence here confirms the connection between the two letters.

Aristarchus (v. 10) was from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) and had accompanied Paul during the riots in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) and the journey to Rome (Acts 27:2). The term "fellow prisoner" (συναιχμάλωτος) could mean either literal imprisonment or a voluntary sharing of Paul's circumstances. Mark (v. 10), Barnabas's cousin, is likely the same person who had left Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13; 15:37–39). Paul's recommendation here shows reconciliation. Jesus Justus (v. 11) is otherwise unknown, but his double name (Hebrew and Latin) was common among Diaspora Jews. Paul notes that these three are the only Jewish Christians ("of the circumcision") among his close coworkers.

Epaphras (vv. 12–13) was probably the founder of the church in Colossae and also had responsibility for the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke (v. 14), called "the beloved physician," is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Demas (v. 14) is later mentioned negatively in 2 Timothy 4:10 as one who deserted Paul.

Places

Laodicea (vv. 13, 15–16) lay only 16 kilometers west of Colossae in the Lycus Valley. The city was a prosperous commercial and banking center, known for its textile industry and medical school that produced eye salve. The close proximity explains the tight connection between the churches and the instruction to exchange letters. Hierapolis (v. 13), 10 kilometers north of Laodicea, was known for its hot springs and healing cults associated with the god Apollo. The fact that Epaphras worked among all three cities shows that the Christian communities in the Lycus Valley functioned as a network.

Events and Customs

The instruction regarding letter exchange between Colossae and Laodicea (v. 16) provides valuable insight into how apostolic letters circulated in the early church. The letters were read aloud during the congregation's gathering (ἀναγνωσθῇ), reflecting both Jewish synagogue practice and the low literacy rates of antiquity. "The letter from Laodicea" mentioned has been the subject of much speculation—it may be a lost Pauline letter, or possibly what we know as Ephesians.

Nympha and the house church (v. 15) illustrates that early Christians met in private homes. The grammar of the verse is ambiguous regarding Nympha's gender—manuscripts vary between αὐτῆς (her), αὐτοῦ (his), and αὐτῶν (their). Several important manuscripts have the feminine form, which may suggest a woman who hosted a church—a significant leadership role in the early church.

Key Terms

The expression τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα ("what is right and fair," v. 1) in the exhortation to slave owners is remarkable. The word ἰσότης (equality/fairness) was a rare concept applied to master-slave relationships and suggests a radical reevaluation of social relations within the Christian community, even though Paul does not directly challenge the institution of slavery.

"Those outside" (τοὺς ἔξω) (v. 5) was an established term in early Christianity for non-believers, borrowed from Jewish usage. The exhortation to "make the most of every opportunity" (τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι) uses a commercial term and suggests wisely seizing opportunities when interacting with the outside world.

Ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ ("greeting in my own handwriting," v. 18) indicates that Paul used a secretary (amanuensis) for most of the letter but wrote the final greeting himself. This was common practice in antiquity and served as a form of authentication. The reference to his "chains" (δεσμῶν) confirms that the letter was written while he was imprisoned.

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