AICNT COL section

4 masters, provide what is right and fair to your slaves,[fn] knowing that you also have a master[fn] in {heaven}.[fn]

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful [in it][fn] with thanksgiving, 3 praying at the same time for us, that God may open a door for the word, to speak [[with boldness]][fn] the mystery of {Christ},[fn] for which I am also in chains, 4 so that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant [and fellow slave][fn] in the Lord, will make known to you all things concerning me, 8 whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and he may encourage your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision who are my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, one of you, a servant of Christ [Jesus],[fn] greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully {assured}[fn] in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has {worked hard}[fn] for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in {her}[fn] house.

16 And when this [letter][fn] has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.[fn]

17 And say to Archippus, “See to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 The greeting with my own hand, Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. [[Amen]][fn][fn]

4:1, slaves: Servant in normal usage at the present time. i.e., one who works for another (employee).

4:1, master: Or Lord.

4:1, heaven: Some manuscripts read “the heavens.” BYZ TR.

4:2, in it: Absent from ℵ(01).

4:3, with boldness: Included in A(02).

4:3, Christ: B(03) reads “God.”

4:7, and fellow slave: Absent from ℵ(01).

4:12, Jesus: Absent from 𝔓46 BYZ TR.

4:12, assured: Some manuscripts read “fulfilled.” 𝔓46 BYZ TR.

4:13, worked hard: Some manuscripts read “a great zeal.” BYZ TR.

4:15, her: Some manuscripts read “his.” BYZ TR.

4:16, letter: Absent from B(03).

4:16, Laodicea: Possibly referring to Ephesians.

4:18, Amen: Included in BYZ TR.

4:18, TR includes the postscript, “To the Colossians, written from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus.”

AICNT by section COL 4:1

Colossians 4