Colossians 4 KJV
Final Instructions
Colossians Chapter 4: Final Instructions
The reference to Onesimus in verse 9 directly links Colossians to the epistle to Philemon, presenting the former runaway slave as a now-trusted Christian courier traveling with Tychicus.
1asters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sisterโs son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
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Did You Know?
The reference to Onesimus in verse 9 directly links Colossians to the epistle to Philemon, presenting the former runaway slave as a now-trusted Christian courier traveling with Tychicus.
Verse 16's mention of a separate letter to the Laodiceans points to Pauline correspondence that circulated among early churches but was never included in the New Testament canon.
Luke is singled out in verse 14 as 'the beloved physician,' supplying one of the few explicit biographical notes about the author of the third Gospel and Acts during Paul's imprisonment.
Epaphras is portrayed in verses 12-13 as engaging in intense, geographically specific intercession, 'labouring fervently' not only for Colossae but also for the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis.
The endorsement of Mark in verse 10 quietly resolves the earlier rift recorded in Acts 15, where Paul refused to take him on a mission, indicating restored partnership by the time of this letter.