Colossians 4

This series of teachings is called a household code. Paul instructs wives (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), fathers (3:21), slaves (3:22–25), and masters (4:1). Similar codes are found in Greco-Roman writings and other parts of the New Testament (see Ephesians 5:22–6:9; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7).

Masters: Christian slave owners needed to understand that they were also slaves who had to obey Jesus Christ, their Master in heaven. He treats everyone with dignity and kindness.

being watchful: The Greek verb for this phrase in the New Testament emphasizes the need for Christians to stay watchful because Christ will return (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35, 37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

New Testament letters often end by encouraging readers to pray and requests for their prayers.

• God may open to us a door for the word: An open door symbolizes an opportunity to share the good news (see also Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12).

• the mystery of Christ: See Colossians 1:26–27; 2:2.

• for which I am in chains: Paul's commitment to spreading the good news led to his imprisonment (see Colossians Book Introduction, “Date and Occasion of Writing”).

redeeming the time (literally buy up the time): Just like people buy up a product at a good price, Christians should take advantage of every opportunity God gives them to share the good news and serve others.

seasoned with salt: Salt is both a seasoning and a preservative (see Matthew 5:13). Paul might be encouraging Christians to speak to non-believers with well-chosen and appealing words. The Jewish rabbis sometimes referred to wisdom as salt, so Paul might also be urging Christians to speak wisely.

Tychicus came from the province of Asia, where Colossae was (Acts 20:4). He worked with Paul especially in that area (Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12). Later, Paul sent him to assist Titus in Crete (Titus 3:12). Tychicus probably delivered this letter along with the letters known as Ephesians and Philemon.

Most New Testament letters end with greetings and mentions of co-workers and travel plans. But this section of Colossians is longer than usual. Since Paul could not travel, he might have wanted the Colossians to stay connected with his co-workers. This would help them avoid being misled by false teachers.

Onesimus was a runaway slave whom Paul sent back to his master, Philemon (see the book of Philemon).

• Aristarchus was a common name, but he was probably the same man from Thessalonica who traveled with Paul to Rome (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2). Acts does not mention Aristarchus was also arrested, so he might have chosen to stay in prison with Paul to support and help him.

• Mark the cousin of Barnabas joined Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary trip but left before it ended (Acts 13:13). This caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas before their second trip (Acts 15:37–40). Paul and Mark seem to have reconciled at some point (see also 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24).

• You have already received instructions: There is no other record of this message.

Out of the six people named, five are also mentioned in Philemon 1:23–24.

Jesus, who is called Justus, appears only in this part of the New Testament. Paul uses the family name Justus because Jesus (meaning the Lord saves) was a common name among Jews in the first century.

Laodicea and Hierapolis were the two most important cities in the Lycus River valley. Epaphras prayed for believers in Colossae and these nearby cities. This suggests that Epaphras was probably the first person to share the good news about Jesus in all three of these cities.

• Luke, the beloved physician, is famous for writing Acts and the Gospel of Luke. This verse is the only proof of two things about Luke: he was a doctor, and he was not a Jewish believer (see Colossians 4:10–11).

• Unlike the others mentioned in this passage, there are no details about Demas. Maybe Paul did not know him well. Demas later left Paul (2 Timothy 4:10).

Nympha hosted a church in her home. In the first two centuries of the Christian church, most believers gathered for worship in private homes. We know nothing else about Nympha.

make sure that it is also read: Over the years, people have tried to match the letter to the Laodiceans with a New Testament letter or fragment. Yet, Paul's letter to the church in Laodicea has probably been lost.

Archippus (see also Philemon 1:2): We do not have any way of knowing more information about the work the Lord assigned to him.

This greeting is in my own hand—Paul: The letter to the Colossians, like most ancient letters, was probably not written entirely by Paul himself. Instead, Paul likely spoke the words while a scribe wrote them down. This scribe is also called an amanuensis (a person trained to write neatly and clearly). To show that the letter was truly from him, Paul added his own greeting at the end in his own handwriting. This was his way of proving the letter was authentic and not a fake (compare Paul's comment in 2 Thessalonians 2:2).