Final words of salutation
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| 1 ¶ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. | Masters
See ep0609.
Servants Greek douloi. See on ro0101. Equal Here means fairness and impartiality de1512, ga0328. |
| 2 ¶ Continue in prayer,
and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. |
2 -
Watch
Continual alertness seeking to understand the divine will.
3 - Door of utterance Literally "door of the word." We must watch for opportunities to share truth with people. |
| .5
¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
.6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. |
5 -
Walk
... redeeming the time Or "... making the most of the opportunity."
(NASB). Consider every contact as an opportunity directly or indirectly
to witness, praying silently for the right words and attitude, drawing
people to Christ.
6 - Speech ... with grace ... salt Salt makes food taste better. Like a preservative, words well chosen, directed by the influence of the Spirit make an impression that will be remembered. Often only our kindness is important and appropriate as a witness. |
| .7
¶ All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother,
and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. .10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. |
7 -
Tychius
See on ep0621.
9 - Onesimus A slave who had run away. See on Philemon 10. 10 - Aristarchus See ac2702, ac1929. 11 - Jesus Obviously not Jesus Christ. The name is not elsewhere known. "Justus" appears in two other instances ac0123, ac1807. "Joshua" is the equivalent name in Hebrew. 11 - Of the circumcision In other words, "Jews." Fellow Jews. Those mentioned here are comforters of Paul. |
| .12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always
labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete
in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. .14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. |
12
- Epaphras A native of Colossae who probably worked there
and did at Laodicea and Hierapolis. See co0107,8.
(An African house and yard worker for my wife and me in Rwanda had that
name.)
12 - Perfect and complete Or "mature and completed." As we continue to draw closer to Christ, with our eyes fixed on Him, we are perfect in His eyes. mt0548. We become responsible for what may have been overlooked earlier. 14 - Demas See on pm24. |
| 15 Salute the brethren
which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. .18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. <<Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.>> |
16
- From Laodicea That is, the epistle was carried from the
church at Laodicea. It may have been copied. We do not know the origin
of the epistle.
17 - Archippus Mentioned elsewhere only in Philemon 2. Philemon and Apphia could have been Archippus' dad and mom. |
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