Colossians 4

Exhortation to Households

3:18 Wives, submit to your¹ husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. 3:21 Fathers,² do not provoke³ your children, so they will not become disheartened. 3:22 Slaves,⁴ obey your earthly⁵ masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 3:23 Whatever you are doing,⁶ work at it with enthusiasm,⁷ as to the Lord and not for people,⁸ 3:24 because you know that you will receive your⁹ inheritance¹⁰ from the Lord as the reward. Serve¹¹ the Lord Christ. 3:25 For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong,¹² and there are no exceptions.¹³ 4:1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission

4:2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. 4:3 At the same time pray¹⁴ for us too, that¹⁵ God may open a door for the message¹⁶ so that we may proclaim¹⁷ the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.¹⁸ 4:4 Pray that I may make it known as I should.¹⁹ 4:5 Conduct yourselves²⁰ with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

Personal Greetings and Instructions

4:7 Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave²¹ in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.²² 4:8 I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing²³ and that he may encourage your hearts. 4:9 I sent him²⁴ with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.²⁵ They will tell²⁶ you about everything here.

4:10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him). 4:11 And Jesus who is called Justus also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts,²⁷ these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave²⁸ of Christ,²⁹ greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured³⁰ in all the will of God. 4:13 For I can testify that he has worked hard³¹ for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 4:14 Our dear friend Luke the physician and Demas greet you. 4:15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters³² who are in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church that meets in her³³ house.³⁴ 4:16 And after³⁵ you have read this letter, have it read³⁶ to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea³⁷ as well. 4:17 And tell Archippus, “See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.”

4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand.³⁸ Remember my chains.³⁹ Grace be with you.⁴⁰