OUR FATHER WHO OPENS DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HIS SERVANTS

Colossians chapter 4 concludes the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the believers at Colossae. chapter contains the last bit of exhortation that Paul has for masters regarding their conduct towards their servants.

Paul then encourages the Colossians to be vigilant in prayer and to be grateful. He asks them to pray for Him and those with him who were preaching the gospel which is the great mystery of Christ among those who were opposing their efforts and had imprisoned them. He asked for prayers that they might be guided to correctly speak of such things even though there was a threat towards them for doing so.

Regarding the people outside their fellowship, Paul advises the Colossians to walk in wisdom such that the time is redeemed so that opportunities to introduce people to the kingdom of God through the Lord Jesus are always taken and that they always speak words of grace and be salient in a way that evoques genuine interest.

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.

Paul lists vaious people who were partakers of the ministry and he encourages some and  exhorts others to fulfil their ministry.

• Tychicus - Fellow bondservant to Paul and entrusted with the news of Paul 
• Onesimus - Faithful and belowved brother
• Aristarchus - Paulˋs fellow prisoner (Jewish)
• Mark - Paulˋs fellow worker (Jewish)
• Jesus - Known as Justus who was also Paulˋs fellow worker (Jewish)
• Epaphras - Paulˋs fellow worker from Colossae
• Luke - The beloved Apostle who passes greetings to the Colossians and Laodecians
• Demas - Passes greetings to the Colossians and Laodecians
• Nymphus - House church leader to whom greetings are sent
• Archippus - A message passed to him to pay attention to the ministry he was given

Paul instructs the Colossians to take his letter to the Laodecians and read it to them and that they should read the letter that he wrote to the Laodecians. 

Amen.

51