Colossians 4

General context

Masters are told to give their servants what is just and equal, since they have a Master in heaven. Paul asks them to continue in prayer and watch with thanksgiving, including prayer for him, that God would open a door of utterance so he can speak the mystery of Christ, which is why he is in bonds. He tells them to walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time, and keep their speech always with grace, seasoned with salt, so they know how to answer everyone. The rest of the chapter is a roster. Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister, will report Paul's state and was sent to comfort their hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother who is one of you. Greetings come from Aristarchus, called a fellowprisoner, from Marcus, described as sister's son to Barnabas and the subject of instructions they already have, and from Jesus who is called Justus. These three, Paul says, are his only fellowworkers of the circumcision who have been a comfort to him. Epaphras, also one of them, sends greetings and is said to labour in prayer and to have great zeal for them and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet them too. Paul asks them to greet the brethren in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church in his house, and gives an instruction about reading: this letter is to be read in the church of the Laodiceans, and they are to read the epistle from Laodicea. He tells them to give Archippus a message about fulfilling his ministry, signs the greeting in his own hand, asks them to remember his bonds, and closes with grace.

Cited passages: Colossians 4:1, Colossians 4:2, Colossians 4:3, Colossians 4:4, Colossians 4:5, Colossians 4:6, Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:8, Colossians 4:9, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:11, Colossians 4:12, Colossians 4:13, Colossians 4:14, Colossians 4:15, Colossians 4:16, Colossians 4:17, Colossians 4:18

Colossians 4 (KJV)

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Historical context

Eleven people are named here besides Paul: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Marcus, Barnabas, Jesus called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nymphas and Archippus. The letter distinguishes one of them by a second name, Jesus, which is called Justus, and identifies Marcus by a relative, sister's son to Barnabas. Two are said to belong to the readers' own community, Onesimus, who is one of you, and Epaphras, who is one of you. Aristarchus is called my fellowprisoner and Luke is called the beloved physician, with nothing else said about either. Demas is named with no description at all. Two places are named, Laodicea and Hierapolis, and the readers' own city is not named again in this chapter. The chapter refers to a letter the readers do not have in front of them, the epistle from Laodicea, and says nothing about who wrote it or what it contained. Paul says he signs by the hand of me Paul and asks them to remember my bonds, without naming where he is held. After the closing Amen the source prints one more line, Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus, inside the final verse rather than as a heading; Rome is named nowhere in the body of the letter.

Cited passages: Colossians 4:9, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:11, Colossians 4:12, Colossians 4:13, Colossians 4:14, Colossians 4:16, Colossians 4:17, Colossians 4:18

Literary context

The chapter turns from argument to arrangements, and the change is visible in the sentences, which become short and practical. Everyone in the roster is given a tag rather than a story: a fellowprisoner, a physician, a relative of Barnabas, a servant of Christ who labours in prayer. The tags are doing work, since two of them tell the readers that these are their own people, who is one of you, said twice. One line sorts the list, who are of the circumcision, which marks a subgroup without explaining the division. The instruction about swapping letters is the only place the letter refers to itself as an object being carried around, and it leaves the reader aware of a second letter that is not here. The ending is the shortest writing in the book: a signature, three words about his imprisonment, and a blessing.

Cited passages: Colossians 4:7, Colossians 4:9, Colossians 4:10, Colossians 4:11, Colossians 4:12, Colossians 4:14, Colossians 4:16, Colossians 4:18

Key moments

1. Speech seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Paul asks for graceful speech toward outsiders.
2. Tychicus will report (Colossians 4:7). A messenger is named to carry news of Paul's situation.
3. Onesimus, one of you (Colossians 4:9). Onesimus is sent with Tychicus and identified as a member of their own community.
4. Epaphras labouring in prayer (Colossians 4:12). Epaphras is described as working in prayer for them.
5. Luke the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14). Luke and Demas send greetings.
6. Two letters to exchange (Colossians 4:16). The readers are told to swap letters with Laodicea.
7. Remember my bonds (Colossians 4:18). The letter closes with a signature and a short request.

For reflection

Paul asks the readers to remember my bonds in the same breath as a blessing, without asking for anything else. What is the difference between wanting to be helped and wanting to be remembered?

People in this chapter

• Jesus Christ
• Onesimus
• Tychicus
• Barnabas
• Epaphras
• Luke
• Mark
• Paul

Also indexed here:

• Archippus
• Aristarchus
• Demas
• Father of Barnabas
• Justus
• Nympha