1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know
that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it
clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the
most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful
minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the
express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he
may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and
dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening
here.
10 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.) 11 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. 12 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. 13
I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and
Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15
Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha
and the church in her house.
16 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.
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received
in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace
be with you.
For these three questions, use a journal to write down your answers.
1. Verses 3-4 are an invitation to pray for Paul and other church leaders. Take
a moment and write a prayer to intercede on behalf of your church leaders.
2. Paul continues to instruct the Colossians on how they should act toward
those who are not followers of Jesus. What part of his instruction are you
best at? What areas could you grow in?
3. Paul closes his letter with what we call “shout outs.” If you were writing
a letter that included a list of people you do life with who encourage you in
your faith, who would you mention and what would you write about them?
(Think about pastors, preachers, and teachers you’ve learned from, friends
and family who have prayed for you, people in your community, leaders you
admire, and ministries you support).