Chapter 4

4:2–4

First we have here call to prayer. It is a persistent prayer and characterized by thanksgiving. If in 3:16–17 - we have a liturgical - community prayer, here probably we reference to personal prayer.

Watching in prayer. In Paul’s understanding “watchfulness” always refers to waiting for the second coming of Christ.

See also 1 Thess 5:17–18; Phil 4:6.

Paul is also asking for an intercessory prayer for him. Even in prison, Paul was still thinking of new places of evangelization.

The Gospel is defined as “the mystery of Christ”. Yes, Christ indeed remains a mystery.

Paul needs God’s grace to properly reveal that mystery and for this he needs Colossians’ intercession.

4:5–6 - how do deal with those outside of the Church

Redeeming the time - kairos. to make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own.

The meaning is to use every opportunity to share the Gospel. How?

The way to share the Gospel - the speech in grace - graceful, pleasant, and seasoned with salt - that means giving taste. Sharing should be attractive to the listener.

Paul also places on us a responsibility - to be able to answer every person (1 Peter 3:15).

4:7–9

Two people are sent with the letter and they will pass on more information about Paul’s situation.

Tychicus (Acts 20:4–5; 2 Tim 4:12; Titus 3:12) and Onesimus (see the letter to Philemon). So a fugitive slave becomes Paul’s co-worker “faithful and beloved brother” - something to learn from Paul.

4:10–17 - Greetings from six people

  1. Aristarchus - fellow prisoner (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2);
  2. Mark - if it is John Mark the Evangelist (Acts 12:12.25), then it seems that the quarrel between Paul and Barnabas was forgotten (Acts 13:13; 15:37–39). He is also mentioned in 2 Tim 4:11. He also worked with Peter (1 Peter 5:13);
  3. Jesus called Justus - unknown. Notice, that the name Jesus was a common name among the Jews, and Justus means just; All those three were Jewish Christians;
  4. Epaphras - one of the Colossians (Philemon 1:23). He gets a lot of praises from Paul. He is described as a man with great heart for the communities in that region and a man of prayer. The one who first preached the Gospel to the Colossians continues to pray for them - something to learn for today;
  5. Luke - described as “the beloved physician”. Was he caring for Paul? (See Gal 4:13–15; 2 Cor 12:7 - Paul also experienced sicknesses). See Philemon 1:24;
  6. Demas - if it is the same person like in 2 Tim 4:10, then he later left Paul.

4:15 - Greetings to the church in Laodicea and the house-church of Nymphas. Most of the churches at that time were house-churches gathered in the houses of certain families.

4:16 - Paul sent a letter also to Laodicea - some think it is the letter to the Ephesians. So, the letters of Paul were circulating among the communities.

4:17 - There is a special message to someone in Colossians called Archipus (Philemon 1:2). In Philemon he is called a fellow-soldier, but here he is reminded about the obligation of his ministry. Did he get slack in that ministry?

4:18 - (1 Cor 16:21; 2 Thess 3:17) - personal signature - a sign of authenticity. Again he reminds them to remember that he is in prison.
The final blessing is very short.

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