1
Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. +
2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; +
3
praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the
mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
+4
that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. +
5
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. +
6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. +
7
All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother,
faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
+8
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, +
9
together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. +
10
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of
Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),
+11
and
Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God's Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
+12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. +
13
For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. +
14
Luke, the beloved physician, and
Demas greet you.
+15
Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house. +
16
When this
letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
+17
Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it." +
18
The
salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen.
Col 4:1-18. EXHORTATIONS CONTINUED. TO PRAYER: WISDOM IN RELATION TO THE UNCONVERTED: AS TO THE BEARERS OF THE EPISTLE, TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS: CLOSING SALUTATIONS.
1. give--Greek "render": literally, "afford."
equal--that is, as the slaves owe their duties to you, so you equally owe to them your duties as masters. Compare "ye masters do the same things" (see on Eph 6:9). ALFORD translates, "fairness," "equity," which gives a large and liberal interpretation of justice in common matters (Phm 16).
knowing-- (Col 3:24).
ye also--as well as they.