Colossians Chapter 4 Breakdown

1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Be honest to those who are working for you. You do also have a master who resides in heaven.

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Be sincere in your continuous prayer. Be attentive in your prayer and always be thankful to YHWH. Paul then requests the Colossians also pray for the Apostles. He wants to be able to speak the word, and the mystery of Christ. Paul want to make the word and the mystery manifested in the world.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

Keep the word and spread it to those who are outside the faith.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Always speak in a graceful manner. Be prepared to always have an answer for those who question your beliefs.

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

Tychicus is a fellow believer and a companion who Paul trusts.

8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Tychicus is sent by Paul to Colosse in order to learn what they are struggling with and to help comfort them. Paul also sends Onesimus with Tychicus. Onesimus was a former slave in Colosse, with his master being Philemon.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

Aristarchus is a fellow prisoner with Paul during the time of the writing to Colosse. Paul says this man, as well as Mark and Justus may come to Colosse, and they should be welcomed. Paul then says these men are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of YHWH who are of the circumcision. These men are born Jews and are a comfort for Paul. Most likely these are the only men Paul is around on a daily basis who know the law of YHWH. Paul is teaching YHWH’s law to many non-Jewish peoples.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Epaphras, who is from Colosse, also a servant of Yeshua, is with Paul and greets the people of Colosse. He passionalately prays for these people of Colosse.

13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

Epaphras has great enthusiasm for Colosse, as well as Laodicea and Hierapolis.  

14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Both Luke and Demas greets the people of Colosse.

15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Greet those brothers who are in Loadicea and Nymphas as well as the church.

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

This letter is not only for those in Colosse, but also Laodicea. Paul then says he has written a letter to Laodicea. This is interesting because his letter to Laodicea is lost. We do not have access to this letter as of now. I would assume it teaches a similar message but maybe covers different topics due to Paul wanting both letters read by both groups of people.

17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

Paul tells the leaders of the church at Colosse to tell Archippus to pay attention and follow the ministry he received. By doing so he can be sure to fulfill it.

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul ends the letter by telling them to remember he is in chains because he was preaching the word.