Colossians 4:2-18

Teacher: Rusty Kennedy
​Series: Colossians

Rusty's Notes

SPEAKING TO GOD AND OTHERS
COLOSSIANS 4
2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
- 1) Continue praying - to continue to do something with intense effort, with the possible implication of despite difficulty— be persistent.[1]
- Paul just (last week) taught us how to respond to our spouses, children, parents, employers & employees… and the next thing he says is “devote yourselves to prayer.” HE KNOWS!
- Ephesians 6:18 – “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”[2]

• Praying for others... multiplies our defense/offense... as well as moves the focus off of self.
• 2) Stay alert – Why do we close our eyes. Is it OK to pray with our eyes open or closed?
• Students – tests?
• “When I was a child i was told to close my eyes in prayers or else angels will poke finger into my eyes.”
• 3) An attitude of thanksgiving… not an annual event.

3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,

• 4) pray with a purpose.
• “us” is in reference to the speaker (Paul & Timothy)
• The message Paul is speaking is in contrast with what their society at the time believed in general (The Law).
• Open a door… either physically or spiritually
• Mystery – in reference to the Gentiles receiving salvation and being included with the Jews. (Ephesians 3:1-13)

4 so that I may make it known as I should.

• The Jews listened to Paul till he spoke the word Gentiles (Acts 22:21–22). It was Paul’s concern for the Gentiles and his ministry to them that put him into prison.[3]
• This extreme legalistic party wanted the Gentiles to become Jews ceremonially before they could become Christians![4]
• Paul was asking for an opportunity to do the very thing that got him in prison.
• As a pastor… I ask you to continually pray for me and the opportunities to share the Truth.
• You don’t have to tell me you are praying… just pray.

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.

• Act – Live, walk, behave…
• Wisely… where does wisdom come from?
• Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom…”
• Hang out with the Lord… He will give you wisdom.
• This is how you know who walks closely with the Lord.
• “Outsiders” – non-believers in Jesus.
• “Time” – don’t miss the opportunities.
• Create opportunities, build on relationships… don’t burn bridges.

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

• Paul is saying, “Even when you are provoked, you ‘should’ always show grace.”
• A good burger is always seasoned properly.
• What you have been given is Good News (meat).
• You make it attractive or unattractive.
• Speak the right word at the right time.
• Discernment… walking with the Spirit.

 
FINAL GREETINGS
7 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

• Tychicus – Asian companion of Paul, carried this letter to Colossae.

8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

• Onesimus – the runaway slave of Philemon, who has received salvation and became a great servant and encourager to Paul.
• Onesimus – once viewed as a betrayer is now viewed as a brother in Jesus.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

• Aristarchus came from Thessalonica (Acts 27:2) It is thought by some that he travelled with Paul as his slave.
• He is also a prisoner in Rome at this time (Paul calls him ‘my fellow prisoner’). He was a volunteer willing to suffer for the kingdom of Christ.[5]
• Mark is the cousin of Barnabas and the writer of the second Gospel.
• Twelve years prior to this, Mark and Barnabas had left Paul after a disagreement about whether Mark should accompany them on their second missionary journey.
• In Paul’s opinion, Mark had been disloyal and cowardly when he deserted them at the end of their first missionary tour (Acts 15:36–41).
• Mark’s relationship with Paul is now restored and he is fully engaged in the Lord’s work and in full fellowship with the Lord’s people.
• Mark is no longer a liability to Paul and is to be welcomed as a fully committed co-worker of Christ.
• Mark is forgiven both by God and by Paul.
• We should not withhold our love from those whom Christ has redeemed and restored.[6]

11 and so does Jesus who is called Justus.

• Justus, also called Jesus. His was a common name among the Jews.[7]
• Fellow Jews

These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. 13 For I testify about him that he works hard, for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

• Epaphras. It is generally accepted that Epaphras was the pastor of the church at Colosse and its founder.
• Paul identifies him as ‘one of you’ (cf. 1:7).
• He also planted the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis and was now in Rome visiting Paul in prison to take advice about the situation in the church in Colosse.
• His heart was warm towards his friends back in Colosse and his prayers were fervent and specific on their behalf. He was praying that they might ‘stand perfect and complete in all the will of God’ (v. 12).
• He was a man of prayer.[8]

14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

• Demas is mentioned only three times in Paul’s letters, and these three references tell a sad story. First he is called “Demas … my fellow laborer” and is linked with three good men—Mark, Aristarchus, and Luke (Phile. 24).
• Then he is simply called “Demas,” and there is no special word of identification or commendation (Col. 4:14).
• But the third reference tells what became of Demas: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10).
• At one point in his life, John Mark had forsaken Paul; but he was reclaimed and restored.
• Demas forsook Paul and apparently was never reclaimed.
• His sin was that he loved this present world. The word world refers to the whole system of things that runs this world, or “society without God.”[9]

15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.

• We know nothing about Nympha, except that she had a church meeting in his house.[10]

16 After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

• Public reading of the Scripture.

17 And tell Archippus, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”

• Archippus was a member of the church in Colossae.
• Some think he was the son of Philemon and Apphia[11]

18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. [12]

• It is worth it all.
• Salvation

Everyday living

[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains. New York: United Bible Societies.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 147). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 147). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 91). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[6] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 91). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[7] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (pp. 91–92). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[8] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 92). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 153). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] McNaughton, I. S. (2006). Opening up Colossians and Philemon (p. 96). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[12] Christian Standard Bible (Col 4:2–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.