New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Colossians 4
1
Masters, give your slaves what is right and fair. Do it because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 17:14
James 2:13
Revelation 19:16
James 5:4
Righteousness
Ecclesiastes 5:8
3
Pray for us too. Pray that God will open a door for our message. Then we can preach the mystery of Christ. Because I preached it, I am being held by chains.
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:26
Ephesians 4:1
Philippians 1:7
1 Corinthians 16:9
Matthew 13:11
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:25
References Christ
1 Corinthians 4:1
2 Corinthians 2:12
References God
Acts 14:27
2 Timothy 2:9
6
Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt. Then you will know how to answer everyone.
Reference
7
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother. He is a faithful worker. He serves the Lord together with us.
Reference
8
I am sending him to you for one reason. I want you to know what is happening here. I want him to cheer you up and make your hearts strong.
Reference
9
He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother. He is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
Reference
People
Faith
Colossians 4:7
10
Aristarchus is in prison with me. He sends you his greetings. So does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have been given directions about him. If he comes to you, welcome him.
Reference
11
Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. They are the only Jews who work together with me for God's kingdom. They have been a comfort to me.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Acts 11:2
Acts 10:45
Colossians 4:7
Romans 4:12
Titus 1:10
Ephesians 2:11
1 Thessalonians 3:7
References God
2 Corinthians 6:1
1 Thessalonians 3:2
References Jesus
Philemon 1:1
12
Epaphras sends greetings. He is one of you. He serves Christ Jesus. He is always praying hard for you. He prays that you will stand firm in holding to all that God has in mind for us. He prays that you will continue to grow in your knowledge of what God wants you to do. He also prays that you will be completely sure about it.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 15:14
Colossians 1:22
Prayer
Romans 15:30
Colossians 1:9
Hebrews 5:7
References Christ
Colossians 1:7
Colossians 1:28
Philemon 1:23
2 Peter 1:1
Galatians 4:19
13
I am happy to tell you that he is working very hard for you. He is also working hard for everyone in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Reference
📍 Hierapolis
Parallel theme
Colossians 2:1
14
Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, sends greetings. So does Demas.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Philemon 1:24
15
Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. Also give my greetings to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
Reference
People
16
After this letter has been read to you, send it on. Be sure that it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And be sure that you read the letter from Laodicea.
Reference
17
Tell Archippus, "Be sure that you complete the work the Lord gave you to do."
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Philemon 1:2
Acts 1:17
2 Timothy 2:2
Acts 20:28
Ephesians 4:11
1 Timothy 4:6
1 Timothy 6:20
1 Timothy 4:16
References Lord
Acts 14:23
Leviticus 10:3
18
I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember that I am being held by chains. May grace be with you.
Reference
Grace
1 Timothy 6:21
2 Timothy 4:22
Hebrews 13:25
Titus 3:15
Philippians 1:7
Parallel theme
Hebrews 13:3
2 Timothy 1:8
References Paul
1 Corinthians 16:21
Summary of Colossians 4
Colossians 4 concludes the letter by showing how Christ-centered faith should influence authority, prayer, evangelism, communication, personal relationships, ministry partnerships, and perseverance, while Paul urges believers to treat others fairly, remain devoted to prayer, speak wisely and graciously to outsiders, make the most of every opportunity, and faithfully support those who serve Christ.
Paul begins by addressing masters and instructing them to treat their servants justly and fairly because they themselves have a Master in heaven, establishing the principle that earthly authority remains accountable to God.
He then urges all believers to continue faithfully in prayer while remaining spiritually alert and thankful, showing that prayer should be a continual practice through which Christians seek God's guidance, strength, and purposes.
Paul specifically asks the Colossians to pray that God will open opportunities for him to proclaim Christ and that he will communicate the gospel clearly, demonstrating that even an experienced apostle recognized his dependence upon God for effective ministry.
The chapter then turns toward Christian witness in everyday life, as Paul instructs believers to walk wisely toward outsiders and make the most of every opportunity, showing that Christian witness involves not only preaching but also wise conduct.
Their speech should always be gracious and appropriately "seasoned," meaning that Christians should communicate with wisdom, kindness, clarity, and discernment while knowing how to respond appropriately to different people and circumstances.
Paul then introduces several of his ministry companions, beginning with Tychicus, whom he describes as a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant who will inform the Colossians about Paul's circumstances and encourage them.
Onesimus is also mentioned as a faithful and beloved brother from Colossae, showing how the gospel could transform relationships and social identities within the early Christian community.
Paul sends greetings from Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, noting the encouragement provided by his Jewish coworkers, while Epaphras receives particular praise for his persistent prayer and deep concern for believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Epaphras demonstrates that Christian ministry includes not only public preaching and teaching but also persistent prayer for the spiritual maturity of others, as he continually asks that believers stand mature and fully assured in God's will.
Paul also sends greetings from Luke and Demas, while instructing the Colossians to greet the believers in Laodicea and the church meeting in the house of Nympha.
The reference to a church meeting in a private home provides a glimpse into the organization of early Christian communities, which commonly gathered in homes before dedicated church buildings became widespread.
Paul further instructs the Colossians to exchange his letter with the believers in Laodicea, demonstrating that apostolic letters were intended not merely for one congregation but could be shared, read publicly, and preserved among neighboring churches.
Finally, Paul tells Archippus to complete the ministry he received from the Lord and personally writes his closing greeting, asking the Colossians to remember his imprisonment before ending with a blessing of Christ's grace.
The central message of Colossians 4 is that Christians should demonstrate their faith through continual prayer, wise conduct, gracious communication, faithful relationships, generous support of ministry, and perseverance in the responsibilities God has given them, treating others fairly, seeking opportunities to proclaim Christ, encouraging fellow believers, and remaining faithful even when serving God involves hardship or personal sacrifice.
Paul begins by addressing masters and instructing them to treat their servants justly and fairly because they themselves have a Master in heaven, establishing the principle that earthly authority remains accountable to God.
He then urges all believers to continue faithfully in prayer while remaining spiritually alert and thankful, showing that prayer should be a continual practice through which Christians seek God's guidance, strength, and purposes.
Paul specifically asks the Colossians to pray that God will open opportunities for him to proclaim Christ and that he will communicate the gospel clearly, demonstrating that even an experienced apostle recognized his dependence upon God for effective ministry.
The chapter then turns toward Christian witness in everyday life, as Paul instructs believers to walk wisely toward outsiders and make the most of every opportunity, showing that Christian witness involves not only preaching but also wise conduct.
Their speech should always be gracious and appropriately "seasoned," meaning that Christians should communicate with wisdom, kindness, clarity, and discernment while knowing how to respond appropriately to different people and circumstances.
Paul then introduces several of his ministry companions, beginning with Tychicus, whom he describes as a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant who will inform the Colossians about Paul's circumstances and encourage them.
Onesimus is also mentioned as a faithful and beloved brother from Colossae, showing how the gospel could transform relationships and social identities within the early Christian community.
Paul sends greetings from Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, noting the encouragement provided by his Jewish coworkers, while Epaphras receives particular praise for his persistent prayer and deep concern for believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Epaphras demonstrates that Christian ministry includes not only public preaching and teaching but also persistent prayer for the spiritual maturity of others, as he continually asks that believers stand mature and fully assured in God's will.
Paul also sends greetings from Luke and Demas, while instructing the Colossians to greet the believers in Laodicea and the church meeting in the house of Nympha.
The reference to a church meeting in a private home provides a glimpse into the organization of early Christian communities, which commonly gathered in homes before dedicated church buildings became widespread.
Paul further instructs the Colossians to exchange his letter with the believers in Laodicea, demonstrating that apostolic letters were intended not merely for one congregation but could be shared, read publicly, and preserved among neighboring churches.
Finally, Paul tells Archippus to complete the ministry he received from the Lord and personally writes his closing greeting, asking the Colossians to remember his imprisonment before ending with a blessing of Christ's grace.
The central message of Colossians 4 is that Christians should demonstrate their faith through continual prayer, wise conduct, gracious communication, faithful relationships, generous support of ministry, and perseverance in the responsibilities God has given them, treating others fairly, seeking opportunities to proclaim Christ, encouraging fellow believers, and remaining faithful even when serving God involves hardship or personal sacrifice.