OUR FATHER WHO OPENS DOORS FOR US TO CARRY HIS WORD

Colossians chapter 4 verses 1 - 18 concludes the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the believers in Colossae with the first verse seeming to have been erroneously separated from the last portion of chapter 3.  

In that portion, Paul is giving a prescription for the relationships that the believers had with one another for example the relationship between husbands and wives, children and parents, bondservants and masters and finally, believers and Christ.

In this case, the first verse in Chapter 4 concludes a theme on the requirement of the relationship between a master and his bondservant to be just and fair because the master must remember that he too has a master in heaven.

The final passages of the letter contains a request for prayer that he and his companions would have doors opened to speak the mystery of Christ. Paul also offers guidance to walk in wisdom towards unbelievers and to be ready to give answers to questions posed to them. 

He then commends fellow servants to the Colossians and passes messages to them from other saints like Luke the beloved physician. He also passes an important massage to  a believer called Archipus that urges him to take the ministry he received from the Lord seriously so that he could fulfil it.

Paul then signs off with a blessing of grace.

1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, 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 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Amen.

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