Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

• Colossians 3:1-18

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Colossians 3:18-22, 4:1 ‘instructions to show God’s love in your life’: ”Paul goes on to list certain specific areas in which these characteristics are to show forth in our lives.“

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 4:2-5 ‘the character of Jesus in our relationships’: “All of our relationships, from family relationships to relationships with those under our authority and over us in authority, must exhibit the character and love of Jesus Christ. His life is to shine through our lives.
“Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians with these practical admonitions”

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 4:2 ‘Why should the church pray?’: “Why should the church continue in prayer? For several reasons, and the first is, God will answer her. It is not possible that God should refuse to hear prayer; it is possible for him to bid the sun stand still and the moon to stay her monthly march. It is possible for him to bid the waves freeze in the sea-possible for him to quench the light of the stars in eternal darkness. But it is not possible for him to refuse to hear prayer that is based on his promise and offered in faith. He can reverse nature, but he cannot reverse his own nature, and he must do this before he can forbear to hear and answer prayer.
“Prayer should be mingled with praise. God is as pleased to give us his blessing as ever we-are to receive it. It is as much to his honor as it is to our comfort. He takes more pleasure in our prayers than we do in his answers. Therefore, we ought to come boldly. We ought to come with thankfulness in our hearts and on our lips and join the hymn of praise with the cry of prayer.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Colossians 4:2 ‘the modern need to be entertained’: “It is now common practice in most evangelical churches to offer the people, especially the young people, a maximum of entertainment and a minimum of serious instruction. It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God. One can only conclude that God’s professed children are bored with Him, for they must be wooed to meeting with a stick of striped candy in the form of religious movies, games, and refreshments.
“This has influenced the whole pattern of church life, and even brought into being a new type of church architecture, designed to house the golden calf.”

• A. W. Tozer, Man: The Dwelling Place of God

Colossians 4:5 ‘Be Christ’s Example to non-believers’: “Those who don’t believe in Jesus note what we do. They make decisions about Christ by watching us. When we are kind, they assume Christ is kind. When we are gracious, they assume Christ is gracious. But if we are brash, what will people think about our King? When we are dishonest, what assumption will an observer make about our Master? No wonder Paul says, ‘Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believer’s, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should’ (Colossians 4:5-6). Courteous conduct honors Christ.
“It also honors his children. When you surrender a parking place to someone, you honor him. When you return a borrowed book, you honor the lender. When you make an effort to greet everyone in the room, especially the ones others may have overlooked, you honor God’s children. “

• Max Lucado, Next Door Savior

Colossians 4:7 ‘Tychicus’: “The name means ‘fortuitous’ or ‘fortunate.’ He was one of the Gentile converts Paul took to Jerusalem as a representative of the Gentile churches (Acts 20:4). He was a reliable companion of Paul and a capable leader, since he was considered as a replacement for Titus and Timothy on separate occasions (2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12). He had the responsibility to deliver Paul’s letters to the Colossians, the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21), and Philemon (v. 9).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 4:9 ‘Onesimus’: “The runaway slave whose return to his master was the basis for Paul’s letter to Philemon.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 4:10 ‘Aristarchus’: “The Gr. name of a Jewish (cf. v. 11) native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4; 27:2). He was one of Paul’s companions who was seized by a rioting mob in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) and also accompanied Paul on his trip to Jerusalem and his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2). Mark. See … Acts 13:5, 13 … .  After having fallen out of favor with Paul for some time, Mark is seen here as one of Paul’s key helpers (cf. 2 Tim. 4:11).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 4:12 ‘Going to the mat for you’: ”When I was a freshman at the University of Minnesota, I lived in the same dorm as two of our NCAA wrestling champions, Larry Zilverberg and Pat Neu. They were two of the toughest guys I have ever known. Wrestling is such an involved, intense sport. The matches are composed of three two-minute periods of one wrestler pitted against the other. It’s a sport that can’t be done halfway-you’re either all in, or you’re defeated.
“Now think of that in terms of prayer. What a wonderful gift to have someone ‘all in’ like a wrestler has to be, praying fervently on your behalf that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured! Do you have any friends like that? Is there anyone you pray for like that? Maybe a family member or a good friend? You’ve probably heard those stories of mothers or grandmothers who have prayed and prayed and prayed for their children and grandchildren until they turned to Christ, basically praying them into heaven.“

• Tony Dungy, Uncommon Life – Daily Challenge (excerpt from devotion for 6 June)

Colossians 4:16 ‘when this epistle is read among you’: “This letter was to be publicly read in the churches in Colosse and in Laodicea. epistle from Laodicea. A separate letter from Paul, usually identified as the epistle to the Ephesians. The oldest manuscripts of Ephesians do not contain the words ‘in Ephesus,’ indicating that in all likelihood it was a circular letter intended for several churches in the region. Tychicus may have delivered Ephesians to the church at Laodicea first.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Colossians 4:18 ‘Make the message personal’: “Paul then continues with personal greetings from those who are with him. He concludes the letter, as was his custom, by holding the pen in his own hand and writing.”

• Ray C. Stedman, Adventuring Through the Bible

Colossians 4:18 ‘by my own hand’: ”Paul usually dictated his letters to an amanuensis (recording secretary), but would often add his own greeting in his own writing at the end of his letters (cf. 1 Cor. 16:21; Gal. 6:11; 2 Thess. 3:17; Philem. 19).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

My Thoughts

This chapter has one leftover verse from the previous chapter, for masters to treat their slave with what is right and fair.

Then Paul concludes with a few instructions.  The first is for the church to pray, not only for the church and one another, but for Paul and the others with him.  Then, Paul says they should show Christ to their outside neighbors.  Show them grace.  Have answers for their questions and treat them with wisdom and grace.

Then, Paul gives his final greetings.  Tychicus is probably the one going to them and reading the letter.  Tychicus is also mentioned in Acts, Ephesians, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Onesimus is also mentioned as accompanying Tychicus.  Onesimus is the subject of the book of Philemon.  Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who ran away, but now, he was a Christian and of great use to Paul and Paul is asking Philemon to show mercy and accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ.  This may be that trip for Onesimus to return to his former owner.

Paul mentions greetings from Aristarchus and Mark.  Mark had deserted Paul’s first missionary trip, and Paul split with Barnabas as a result.  But that wound has been healed, as Mark is mentioned as a valued member of Paul’s staff.  It is in Second Timothy that Paul calls for Mark to return because he finds Mark helpful.

This letter was written for two churches, and Paul reminds the people of Colossae that the letter needs to also be read to the Laodiceans.

Paul then challenges Archippus to complete the ministry that was given to him.  Paul ends by reminding them that he is still in chains, but he writes his salutation in his own hand.  Paul wanted that part at least to be personal.  Making it personal is important.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Colossians 3: 1. What has helped you to grow the most in your prayer life? What obstacles to prayer do you feel now?
“2. From verses 5-6, what principles do you want to build into your life as you relate to non-believers?
“3. Seeing how Paul operated with a team of fellow Christians, what does that imply for you? For your small group?
“4. Of the qualities used to describe these people, which one would you like others to say about you in five years? How do 2:6-7 and 3:1-2 suggest you can get moving in that direction?
“5. How has your respect and love for Christ grown through this study? What from this book has helped you to develop a more thankful heart?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Colossians 4 has one set of questions.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.