(Col 4:1 NASB) Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.
Col 4:1: Paul is going to continue this letter to the Colossians by reminding them of more commands in Torah. He says for them to be just and fair with their slaves. This comes directly from Torah (Lev. 19:13, 25:39-43, Deut. 15:12-15, 24:14-15).
(Col 4:2 NASB) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
(Col 4:3 NASB) praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
Col 4:3: Paul tells them to devote themselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. Prayer is commanded in Scripture. Samuel considered it sin to not pray for his people (1 Sam. 12:23). We are told in the Psalms to pray when we are in need (Psalm 50:14-15, 55:16-17).
We are also told in by Solomon to let our words be few when we pray (Ecc. 5:2, 7).
(Col 4:4 NASB) in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
(Col 4:5 NASB) Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
(Col 4:6 NASB) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.
Col 4:6: Paul says our speech is to be seasoned with salt. We are told in Torah to season offerings to Elohim with salt (Lev. 2:13). The “salt of the covenant” is a reference to the preserving of the covenant (Num. 18:19).
Therefore, when Paul is saying to season our speech to others with salt, we are to keep in mind our covenant with Elohim when talking with others (Psalm 37:30-31). This will give us wisdom in how to respond to each person.
(Col 4:7 NASB) As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information.
(Col 4:8 NASB) For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;
(Col 4:9 NASB) and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
(Col 4:10 NASB) Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him);
(Col 4:11 NASB) and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.
Col 4:11: Those listed are Jewish believers in Messiah who have been a help to Paul.
(Col 4:12 NASB) Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
(Col 4:13 NASB) For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
(Col 4:14 NASB) Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas.
Col 4:14: Epaphras is apparently a Colossian, but is with Paul. Paul also mentions Luke and Demas. We read in Paul’s last letter that Demas later abandoned Paul and possibly converted to Judaism (2 Tim. 4:10).
(Col 4:15 NASB) Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.
(Col 4:16 NASB) And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.
Col 4:16: We do not know much about the letter Paul sent to Laodicea. Some people think it is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that is being spoken of here. But Laodicea is some 100 miles from Ephesus.
(Col 4:17 NASB) And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
(Col 4:18 NASB) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas