Colossians 4

Completing Life Continued

Paul's ministry goal—to present followers “complete in Christ”—was still on his mind as he gave these final instructions.

 

A Life Expressed at Home and Work Continued (1)

In finishing up what he started in the 18th verse of chapter three:

  • Paul tells the masters of slaves to remind themselves that they were slaves of Christ, and they were to be just and fair in their practices. This advice would have been comparable to telling masters not to treat their slaves as slaves but as people who belonged to God (1).

 

A Life of Prayer (2-4)

Paul goes on to encourage the Colossians to practice the consistent habit of devotion to prayer, especially to be thankful (2) and to pray for a door to open for the gospel so he could preach Jesus with great clarity (3-4).

 

A Life of Wise Communication (5-6)

Finally, Paul encouraged the habit of gracious speaking. Paul wanted the Colossians to be wise toward those outside the church, using gracious words in place of harsh opinions when answering questions (5-6).

 

Leaders Committed to Completing Lives in Jesus (7-18)

Paul concluded with encouragement to the Colossians: 

  • Paul closed his letter by telling the Colossians that Tychicus and Onesimus would give them a thorough update (7-9).

  • Paul gave a list of Jewish and circumcised leaders working with him who were committed to the Gentile mission (10-11).

  • Paul bolstered the Colossians’ respect for the founder of their fellowship, Epaphras, a man committed to the struggle of prayer, seeking their maturity and their living in the will of God (12-13).

  • Paul listed his final greetings, one from Luke and one from others, along with a direction to send the letter on to the Laodicean church (14-16).

  • Paul took a moment to remind Archippus, who may have been the son of Philemon and the pastor of the church that met in his home (Philemon 2), to fulfill the ministry he had received (17).

  • Paul closed Colossians, reminding them that they were of personal interest to him, and he particularly wanted them to remember the example and cause of his imprisonment.

  • Paul prayed for God’s grace to be with them (18). 

Proverbs 7:21-27

Parental Proverbs (1:8-9:18)

Tenth Discourse: “A Sex Story” (7:1-23)

First, he follows her with his mind—she “persuades him” (21). Then, with his body—she “compels him” (21). Next, with his conscience, as all resistance is gone—“all at once he follows her.” Finally, he follows her and is caught like an animal until “an arrow pierces ‘his liver,’” and he has now opened his life to disease (22-23).

Eleventh Discourse: “A Sex Warning” (7:24-27)

Here Solomon writes with urgency: “Listen attentively” (24); be on guard against the ways of seduction (25), for the path of immorality is destruction leading to death (26-27).