Bible Commentaries

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).

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*.

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 Coloss.

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.