Colossians 4:2-18

4:2-4 | An effective prayer life requires ongoing attention (continue earnestly), spiritual fitness and ministry vitality.

4:3-4 | The apostle Paul makes frequent references to God opening a door for ministry (1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12). Believers should pray for and expect God-given opportunities to share Christ’s love with others, no matter where they are. Paul would have opportunities to proclaim the gospel even in prison.

4:5 | The phrase redeeming the time is used for buying something in the marketplace. It means taking advantage of opportunities for ministry today because they might not exist tomorrow (Eph. 5:15-16).

4:6 | The words of God’s people should be seasoned with salt – tasteful and appropriate, useful for helping others and building them up (Eccl. 10:12).

4:7-8 | Tychicus had previously traveled with Paul (Acts 21:29) and was still with him during Paul’s second imprisonment. He collected an offering from Gentile Christians in the Philippian, Corinthian, and Thessalonian churches to take as a love gift to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem in a show of brotherhood and unity.

4:9 | It is likely that the Colossian church met at the home of Philemon (Philem. 2), a wealthy man converted to Christ by Paul, Onesimus was one of Philemon’s slaves who ran away, was converted, and was returned by Paul. That he is referred to as a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you reinforces two truths: that in Christ, there is neither slave nor free, and a person’s past is forgiven.

4:10-11 | Aristarchus, a fellow prisoner, was seized and imprisoned in Ephesus when a riot broke out over Pual’s teaching (Acts 19:21-29). He chose to be a prisoner with Paul (Acts 27:1-2). Mark had caused an argument between Paul and Barnabas but had since been restored to the ministry (1 Pet. 5:13). All we know of Justus is that Paul approved his character.

4:12-13 | For Epaphras, prayer wasn’t simply a religious interlude or a spiritual number used only in case of emergency. He continued in prayer (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 6:4; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17) that came from a foundation based in the will of God and His steadfast truth. Paul and Epaphras both knew this was the only way the Colossian church would survive false teaching.

4:12 | Fervently comes from a Greek word meaning “stretching.” The spirit of fervency is a part of the NT instruction; Christians should pray like an athlete strains for a prize. This is the kind of prayer that revives a church, a neighborhood, and a nation. Everything God does in the work of ministry, He does through such dedicated prayer.

4:14 | Luke was Paul’s personal physician who used his specialty to minister to the body of Christ.

4:16-17 | The church met in the homes of believers, and letters would have been read aloud. Archippus was a member of Philemon’s family and probably his son. Paul leaves him with a final reminder: Learn from the lives of those who have served with me. The ministry now rests with you.

4:18 | Paul’s closing blessing (Grace be with you) is appropriate, reminding these precious believers of the “the grace of God in truth” that they had received. Grace had saved them. It would preserve them from false teaching. And it should characterize every aspect of the Christian life, as well as ours.