Colossians 4

Greetings,

Today is the last study in book of Colossians. The memory passage for chapter 4 is

Colossians 4:2-6, 12 (ESV)
² Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. ⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

The outline theme (beginning with another 'O') is Open doors and Old friends.

Verse one of Colossians 4 is really the conclusion of chapter 3. Paul discusses family issues and reminds masters of slaves to treat their slaves justly and fairly; keeping in mind that they, too, have a master in heaven who will treat them justly and fairly and will judge them righteously for their conduct.

Verses 2-6 is a section I titled 'Open doors' based on the overall theme of proclaiming the Word of God to unbelievers through the open doors God provides. First, pray. Pray steadfastly and alertly in a posture of thanksgiving. Specifically, pray that God opens doors for the Gospel and that His servants would make it clear as they speak it. Pray that His servants conduct themselves wisely and graciously toward outsiders; making the best use of our limited time and learning how to respond to everyone. In this section we see prayer, proclamation, and proper speech as key characteristics of the Christian laborer. I have prayed this prayer for others as well as myself. Notice in verse 6 how he focuses on how we respond to outsiders, and not what we say. What we say is critically important (as it should be of sound doctrine and glorifying to God) but HOW we say it, graciously and in love, is also very important. This seems to be echoed in 1 Pet 3:15-16; we should always be prepared to share the Gospel, but should do it 'with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience'.

The final section of chapter 4 I titled "Old friends". In addition to it working very nicely with the alliterated outline, it reminds me that Paul ends this letter with comments from and greetings through his close companions.

Tychicus would deliver this letter to the church in Colosse as well as bring information and encouragement from him. Onesimus is a runaway slave from Colosse who is now returning with Tychicus having become a believer (see Philemon). Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus are Jews that Paul calls 'fellow workers' who give him much comfort. It's interesting that Mark is now officially 're-instated' by Paul after deserting him on Paul's first journey.

Epaphras likely planted the church in Colosse, and here sends personal greetings back to his former flock. His personal connection with the church is also evident in his prayers for them; he struggles in prayer that they stand mature and fully assured in God's will. Along with 4:2-6, and of course 1:9-10, this passage is one I often pray for myself and others.

Paul briefly mentions Luke and Demas (who would later abandon Paul) before sending his own personal greetings to the Laodicean church and the fellowship at Nympha's house. Archippus gets a personal exhortation to 'fulfill the ministry' he was called to. And finally Paul signs the letter, asking for prayer in his imprisonment, and sending grace to his readers.

How does this affect my worship?
Once again we see thanksgiving (v2). Whether in prayer or worship, thanksgiving must be the heart-posture of the offerer. Thanksgiving aligns ourselves with God in proper perspective of who He is and who we are. It's an act of humble submission that (in our lives) places Christ back on the throne and us at His feet. While He is always King and is always Lord of the universe, we do not always 'regard Him' as Lord (1 Pet 3:15). Thanksgiving is an attitude that moves us back into proper alignment with the Lord of our kingdom. In that posture, our worship can be 'holy and pleasing', a true 'living sacrifice' of worship (Rom 12:1).

How does this affect my discipleship?
Epaphras no doubt invested much into the believers in Colosse. Whatever reasons led him to leave and join Paul, we still see in him a close spiritual connection with them. His prayer is passionate and personal. No matter if the official, or 'formal', discipleship relationship may not continue forever (and shouldn't if it is to reproduce), the relationships forged in the process do continue forever. The guys that I meet with and invest in may move on to other ministries in other places, but my responsibility is to remember them, struggle for them, in prayer as they continue to multiply the work that we began.

Grace to you,

Ethan