Bible Commentaries

That which is just; which rightfully, according to the law of God, belongs to them.

Equal; that which fairness and honesty require.

Ye also have a Master; to whom you justly owe service, and who requires you to render to your servants all which equitably and honestly belongs to them; and to manifest towards them the spirit which you ought to wish Christ to manifest towards you. Servants have rights as really as masters. Certain things, through the grace of God, belong to them; and masters are as sacredly bound to give them what equity and honesty require, as they would be if their servants were masters, or as they are to any of their fellow-men.

Continue; be earnest and steadfast.

Watch in the same; be vigilant in the discharge of this duty; see that ye be not dull or slothful in it, and that ye allow yourselves in nothing that can hinder it.

A door of utterance; open the way and give opportunity to preach the gospel. Paul often asked for the prayers of Christians on earth, but never of the Virgin Mary or any of the saints in heaven. He knew better. All who have the Bible, who read and understand it, know better; and if they obey the Bible, they all do better than to ask or desire any intercession in heaven, except that of Christ; for his intercession is all which they need. Hebrews 7:25.

Walk in wisdom; conduct with discretion and propriety.

Them that are without; without the church, men of the world.

Redeeming the time; see note to Ephesians 5:16. Christians, in all their intercourse with men, especially with irreligious men, should be open, frank, honest, and sincere; kind, amiable, benevolent, serious, and cheerful; showing by example the supreme excellence and loveliness of true religion.

With grace; such as grace dictates; speak what is seasonable, pertinent, instructive, useful.

Seasoned with salt; not insipid and profitless, but, like well-seasoned food, wholesome and promotive of the edification of all who hear.

Know how-to answer; in order to give just views and make right impressions. The apostle probably has special reference to the questions of "those without," the answers to which would require much circumspection and heavenly wisdom. Much, very much depends upon the proper use of the tongue. It may be "a world of iniquity" or a fountain of life. Every person therefore, especially every Christian, should pray and strive for wisdom and grace rightly to use his tongue; knowing that by his words he will be justified or condemned; that if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man; and that words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in a net-work of silver. Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 25:11; Matthew 12:37; James 3:2-18.

My state; as a prisoner at Rome.

Whom I have sent unto you; Tychicus was evidently the bearer of the present epistle, as well as of that to the Ephesians. Ephesians 6:21.

Onesimus; Philemon 1:16-17; Philemon 1:21.

Son; to the sister of Barnabas. Mark, or Marcus, was the nephew of Barnabas, and this might be one reason why Barnabas wished him to go with them, when Paul thought it not best. Acts 15:37-39.

Ye received commandments; probably in connection with the contention between Paul and Barnabas just referred to.

Jesus; the same name as Joshua in Hebrew.

Of the circumcision; Jews.

One of you; he belonged at Colosse, but was then with Paul at Rome. Chap Colossians 1:7. There is nothing which Christians so much desire for others, especially for their friends, and nothing for which they so earnestly pray, as that they may understand and do the will of God; for he that doeth the will of God, abideth for ever. 1 John 2:17; 1 John 3:24; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Matthew 13:50.

Laodicea-Hierapolis; both cities of Phrygia, in the vicinity of Colosse, the former on the west, the latter on the north-west.

Luke; the author of the gospel which bears his name.

Demas; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:10-12.

The epistle from Laodicea; these words are most naturally understood of an epistle which Paul had sent to the church of the Laodiceans, which was to be obtained from Laodicea that it might be read at Colosse. See note to 1 Corinthians 5:9.

Archippus; Philemon 1:2.