Bible Commentaries

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Colossians 4

Introduction

1  He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;
5  to walk wisely toward them that are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ.
10  He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity.
Verse 1

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
give
Leviticus 19:13, 25:39-43, Deuteronomy 15:12-15, 24:14,15, Nehemiah 5:5-13, Job 24:11,12, Job 31:13-15, Isaiah 58:3,5-9, Jeremiah 34:9-17, Malachi 3:5, James 2:13, 5:4
ye
Ecclesiastes 5:8, Matthew 23:8,9, 24:48-51, Luke 16:1-13, 19:15, Ephesians 6:8,9-20, Revelation 17:14, 19:16
Verse 2

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Continue
12, 1:9, 1 Samuel 12:23, Job 15:4, 27:8-10, Psalms 55:16,17, 109:4, Luke 18:1, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18
watch
Matthew 26:41, Mark 13:33, Luke 21:36, 1 Peter 4:7
thanksgiving
2:7, 3:15,17
Verse 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:
praying
Romans 15:30-32, Ephesians 6:19, Philippians 1:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Philemon 1:22, Hebrews 13:18,19
that
1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:1,2, Revelation 3:7,8
a door
The term door is used metaphorically for an entrance to any business, or occasion or opportunity of doing any thing; and consequently "a door of utterance" is an opportunity of preaching the gospel successfully. See the parallel texts.
the mystery
1:26, 2:2,3, Matthew 13:11, 1 Corinthians 4:1, Ephesians 6:19
for
Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, 6:20, Philippians 1:7,13,14, 2 Timothy 1:16, 2:9
Verse 4

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
I may
Matthew 10:26,27, Acts 4:29, 2 Corinthians 3:12, 4:1-4
as
6, Acts 5:29, 1 Corinthians 2:4,5, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Ephesians 6:20
Verse 5

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Walk
3:16, Psalms 90:12, Matthew 10:16, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 14:19-25, Ephesians 5:15-17, James 1:5, 3:13,17
them
1 Corinthians 5:12,13, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, 1 Timothy 3:7, 1 Peter 3:1
redeeming
Ephesians 5:16
Verse 6

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
your
3:16, Deuteronomy 6:6,7, 11:19, 1 Chronicles 16:24, Psalms 37:30,31, 40:9,10, 45:2, 66:16, Psalms 71:15-18,23,24, 78:3,4, 105:2, 119:13,46, Proverbs 10:21, 15:4,7, Proverbs 16:21-24, 22:17,18, 25:11,12, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Malachi 3:16-18, Matthew 12:34,35, Luke 4:22, Ephesians 4:29
seasoned
Leviticus 2:13, 2 Kings 2:20-22, Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50
how
Proverbs 26:4,5, Luke 20:20-40, 1 Peter 3:15
Verse 7

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
my
Ephesians 6:21-23
Tychicus
Acts 20:4, 2 Timothy 4:12, Titus 3:12
a beloved
9,12, Ephesians 6:21, Philippians 2:25
a faithful
1 Corinthians 4:1-4
Verse 8

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
I have
1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 12:18, Ephesians 6:22, Philippians 2:28, 1 Thessalonians 3:5
and comfort
2:2, Isaiah 40:1, 61:2,3, 2 Corinthians 1:4, 2:7, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, 3:2, 4:18, 5:11,14, 2 Thessalonians 2:17
Verse 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.
Onesimus
7, Philemon 1:10-19
Verse 10

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Aristarchus
Acts 19:29, 20:4, 27:2, Philemon 1:24
saluteth
Romans 16:21-23
and Marcus
Acts 12:12, 13:5,13, 15:37-39, 2 Timothy 4:11, 1 Peter 5:13
receive
Romans 16:2, 2 John 1:8,9
Verse 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.
who
Acts 10:45, 11:2, Romans 4:12, Galatians 2:7,8, Ephesians 2:11, Titus 1:10
fellow-workers
7, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, 2 Corinthians 6:1, Philippians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, Philemon 1:1,24
a comfort
2 Corinthians 7:6,7, 1 Thessalonians 3:7
Verse 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.
Epaphras
1:7, Philemon 1:23
a servant
John 12:26, Galatians 1:10, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1
always
2, Luke 22:44, Galatians 4:19, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:16
labouring
or, striving.
2:1-23
that
1, Romans 15:30
See on ch
1:9,22,28, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 14:20; *Gr:; 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 5:14; *Gr:; Hebrews 6:1, Jude 1:24
complete
or, filled.
Romans 15:14
Verse 13

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
I bear
Romans 10:2, 2 Corinthians 8:3
Laodicea
Laodicea and Hierapolis were both cities of Phrygia in Asia Minor, between which, and equidistant from each, was situated Colosse. Laodicea was seated near the Lycus, about 63 miles east of Ephesus; and became one of the largest and richest towns in Phrygia, vying in power with the maritime cities. It is now called Eski-hissar, the old castle; and besides the whole surface within the city's wall being strewed with pedestals and fragments, the ruins of an amphitheatre, a magnificent odeum, and other public buildings, attest its former splendour and magnificence. But, when visited by Dr. Chandler, all was silence and solitude; and a fox, first discovered by his ears peeping over a brow, was the only inhabitant of Laodicea. Hierapolis, now Pambouk-Kaiesi, was situated, according to the Itinerary, six miles N. of Laodicea; and its ruins are now about a mile and a half in circumference.
15,16, 2:1, Revelation 1:11, 3:14-18
Verse 14

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Luke
2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24
Demas
2 Timothy 4:10, Philemon 1:24
Verse 15

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
Laodicea
the church
Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Philemon 1:2
Verse 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.
1 Thessalonians 5:27
Verse 17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
Archippus
Philemon 1:2
Take
Leviticus 10:3, Numbers 18:5, 2 Chronicles 29:11, Ezekiel 44:23,24, Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 4:16, 1 Timothy 6:11-14,20, 2 Timothy 4:1-5
the ministry
Acts 1:17, 14:23, 1 Corinthians 4:1,2, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 4:6,14, 2 Timothy 1:6, 2:2
fulfil
2 Timothy 4:5
Verse 18

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
by
1 Corinthians 16:21, 2 Thessalonians 3:17
Remember
2 Timothy 1:8, Hebrews 13:3
Grace
Romans 16:20,24, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:22, Hebrews 13:25

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