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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

CHAPTER FOUR:
“WALK IN WISDOM”

[“Wise Examples”]
Key Word: Walk
Theme Verse: 5

Colossians 4:1 – Economic Masters

CO4:1 Now masters – be fair and just to your slaves, 174 for you are aware that you also have a Master in heaven.

174

Masters: Or, lords, slave-owners. The Greek is KYRIOI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2962]. Though the master-slave relationship is something of the past in most countries of the world, the principles surely can be applied to certain economic and social relationships. Sole proprietors, supervisors, managers, and others who have some power over workers and who have become a New Person in Christ will be known by all as just and fair. The Law of Moses also required godly treatment from slave masters. [Leviticus 25:43; Deuteronomy 15:13]

Colossians 4:2-4 – Prayers to Speak Secrets

CO4:2 All of you [in Colossae] continue to persevere in prayer, remaining awake in it with thanksgiving. 175

175	Thanksgiving: As in all his letters, Paul stresses the importance of prayer. He has mentioned prayer already in this letter. [Colossians 3:15] Compare notes on Ephesians 6:18. [Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:18]

CO4:3 At the same time continue praying for us, so that The God might open to us a door for the Word, 176 in order to speak the mystery of the Christ, 177 for which I am in prison-bonds.

176	A door for the Word: Or, KJV: a door of utterance; TCN: an opening for our message. Paul’s “prayer request” was not one regarding a personal need, but the spread of the Good News. [Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 16:9]

177	Speak the mystery of the Christ: Or, sacred secret, hidden truths. Paul has mentioned this mystery in Colossians 1:26, 27; 2:2. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Ephesians 1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 5:32.

CO4:4 Also, so that I might make it manifest 178 as I am obligated to speak. 179

178	Make it manifest: Or, plain, clear. Not all Christians present a “clear” Good News message. As gifted as Paul was he still wanted their prayers that his message would be clear. Many preachers and teachers follow his lead in asking for similar prayers. Compare similar thoughts at Ephesians 6:20.

179	Obligated to speak: Or, my duty, as I should, why I have to tell it. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:16; 2 Corinthians 4:13.

Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk In Wisdom

CO4:5 All of you continue to conduct yourselves with wisdom toward those outside, 180 and make the most of this present season. 181

180

Conduct yourselves with wisdom: That is, “walk a wise path.” Or, KJV: walk in wisdom; TCN: show tact in your behaviour; MOF: let Christian wisdom rule your behaviour; TAY: be wise in your contacts with; BAR: those outside the church. Christians did not view all as their “brothers.” Jesus also considered others as “outside.” [Matthew 8:12; 22:13] Jesus gave a similar caution to his disciples. [Matthew 10:16] Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:12. The New Person in Christ, as a mild and guileless disciple, can be taken advantage of by those with different standards. Paul is writing form prison so he knows a bit about this subject. Life would become more and more dangerous for Christians and not all persons could be trusted. It should be noted that those who were not members of the Church were considered “outsiders.” [1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 1 Timothy 3:7]

181

Present season: Or, KJV: redeeming the time; TCN: making the most of every opportunity; MOF: make the most of your time; BER: using your time to the best possible advantage; TAY: make the most of your chances to tell others the good news; BAR: seize every opportunity. The context of the use of time is in the same breath with the New Person’s conduct among worldly persons on the outside. There may be two factors here: a] much time can be consumed in the world and Paul counsels its wise use; b] using time in worldly contacts to find opportunities to share the good news. Every person has about 720 hours a month. How a New Person in Christ uses this time will be a matter of uncontrollable circumstances and the depth of Christian conviction.

CO4:6 Always speak graciously, 182 seasoned with salt, aware of how you are obligated to answer each person. 183

182

Speak graciously: Or, kindly, with winsomeness; MOF: let your talk always have a saving salt of grace about it; GDS: always put your message attractively, and yet pointedly; PME: speak pleasantly to them, but never sentimentally; NEB: never insipid; BAR: your conversation must always have charm and wit. Surely Paul still has in mind the New Person’s conduct in the world. Some times new and enthusiastic Christians ruin their message because of the way they present it – without good manners and reasonableness. See Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on 1 Peter 3:15.

183

Answer each person: Or, CON: give a fitting answer; MOF: learn how to answer any question put to you; GDS: be prepared to give every inquirer a fitting answer; NEB: study how best to talk with each person you meet; BAR: you must study the art of giving the right answer to everyone you talk to. Paul knows what he is talking about for he says, “to a Jew I became a Jew…” One must know when and how to speak the Good News message, as well as how long to continue such a discussion. Each person is different, and the one who would spread the good news must learn to speak in a manner that is understandable. This will not occur if new language and vocabulary is introduced to persons unfamiliar with certain terms related to the Good News. Compare how Paul gives the same message to two different groups. [Acts 13; Acts 17] Compare 1 Peter 3:15.

Colossians 4:7-9 – News from the Brethren

CO4:7 Tychicus - a beloved brother and trustworthy servant and fellow slave of the Master - will let all of you know about my affairs. 184

184	Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs: The same Christian is mentioned at Ephesians 6:21.

CO4:8 This is the very reason I have sent him to you so that you might known how things are going with us and then be heartily comforted. CO4:9 [I am also sending] with him Onesimus, 185 one of your own as a faithful and beloved brother. They will tell you about everything happening here.

185	Onesimus: The former Christian slave. For details see Paul’s letter to Philemon. [Philemon 10]

Colossians 4:10-13 – Fellow Christian Workers

CO4:10 Aristarchus, 186 my fellow captive, greets all of you, as well as Mark the cousin of Barnabas 187 - about whom you have already heard to welcome him if he ever visited you.

186	Aristarchus: This Christian is mentioned at Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Philemon 24.

187

Mark the cousin of Barnabas: Both disciples are mentioned often and this relationship between the two explains some of the background to those difficulties which arose in Acts 15:37. Mark is considered by some as the thinly clad disciple who followed Jesus when he was arrested. Possibly he was well-off. [Acts 12:12] He is thought to be Peter’s secretary in the composition of the Good News after his name. [1 Peter 5:13] Compare also Acts 12:25; 15:37, 39; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24. Barnabas [meaning “Comfort”] was an early disciple who later journeyed with Paul until the problem between them. [Acts 15:37-39] Compare Acts 4:34-36; 9:26, 27; 11:22-24; 12:25; 13:1, 4, 43; 14:14; 15:25, 26; 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1, 9, 13.

CO4:11 Also, Jesus – the one called Justus. 188 These are the only ones of the Jewish circumcision here with me as fellow workers 189 for God’s Kingdom. They have brought me a lot of comfort.

188	Jesus who is called Justus: A common name, Joshua in Hebrew. It is for this reason the apostle John almost always uses “the Jesus” when referring to the Nazarene.

189

Jewish circumcision: Or, TCN: converts from Judaism. The word “circumcision” was a synonym for “Jew.” Thus, in Paul’s present company in prison there were four men who were formerly Jews. Paul has already mentioned the subject at Colossians 2:11; 3:11. For more details on the word “circumcision” see notes on Romans 2:25-29; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6, 11, 15; Ephesians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; Titus 1:10.

CO4:12 Epaphras 190 – also from among you and a servant of Christ Jesus – greets you. He always mentions you as he agonizes in his prayers, that all of you remain completely steadfast 191 in God’s will.

190	Epaphras: Paul has mentioned this non-Jew at Colossians 1:7. [Philemon 23]

191

Completely steadfast: Or, KJV: stand perfect and complete; CON: in ripeness of understand, and full assurance of belief; TCN: a matured faith and with a sure conviction; KNX: hoping that you will stand firm in the perfect achievement of all that is God’s will for you. Compare notes on Colossians 1:23. [1 Corinthians 15:58]

CO4:13 For I testify to all of you that he has made great efforts in your behalf as well for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 192

192	Laodicea and in Hierapolis: Locations of other small house churches. On the home church in Laodicea see Colossians 4:14, 16 and Revelation 3:14. One of the rare churches to ever receive a letter from the Risen Master.

Colossians 4:14-17 – Greetings and Instructions

CO4:14 The beloved physician Luke 193 and Demas 194 send their greetings.

193

Luke: Or, dear doctor. One of Paul’s most important traveling companions. Luke wrote his own Good News as well as the Acts of the Apostle. One can see where he joins Paul’s travels when the word “we” suddenly appears at Acts 16:10. Both educated men, we can imagine the private talks between these two. It is likely that Paul influenced Luke to a degree in the doctor’s own Good News. The good doctor is mentioned also at 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:1.

194	Demas: A Christian who later deserted Paul because of his love of the world. [2 Timothy 4:10; Philemon 24]

CO4:15 Send our greetings to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nympha and the congregation in her house. 195

195	Nympha: The only occurrence of this dear lady who opened her home for regular Christian meetings. Her name means “Bride.” On house churches see notes on Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.

CO4:16 And when all of you have heard this letter read to you it should also be read in the congregation at Laodicea 196 – and then you also read the one sent to Laodicea.

196	Also the letter from Laodicea: An unknown epistle indicating Paul wrote other letters that were used among the Christians. Some think this letter was Ephesians though there is no proof of such. The city of Laodicea is mentioned by Josephus and Tacitus.

CO4:17 Now speak to Archippus: 197 “Keep watching the ministry that you received from the Master so that you fulfill it.”

197	Archippus: A brother also mentioned at Philemon 2 who receives public exhortation from Paul, as the letter would be read by others.

Colossians 4:18 – Conclusion

CO4:18 Here in my own hand 198 – I, Paul – is my greeting. Continue to remember my prison-bonds. 199 The unmerited charity [of God] be with all of you.

198	Paul: It seems some of Paul’s letters were dictated or otherwise written down by a secretary. In some letters these possible copyists are mentioned in the introduction. Paul adds his own signature to confirm his authorship. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:17.

199	Remember my prison-bonds: Or, chains, bonds; MOF: I am in prison.

Review Questions on Chapter Four

Summary of Chapter Four