MSB COL Chapter 4

Prayerful Speech and Actions

4 Masters, supply [your] slaves with what [is] right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful [and] thankful, 3 as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 [Pray] that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. 6 [Let] your speech always [be] gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers

(Romans 16:21–23)

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. [He is] a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in [the] Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may know about you,[fn] and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 With him [I am sending] Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They will tell you {about} everything here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have [already] 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] fellow workers for the kingdom of God, [and] they have been a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who [is] [one] of you [and] a servant of Christ,[fn] sends you greetings. [He is] always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and complete[fn] in [the] full will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal[fn] for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

Signature and Final Instructions

(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)

15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nymphas and the church [that meets] at his house.[fn]

16 After [this] letter has been read among you, make sure 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 This greeting [is in my] own hand—Paul.

Remember my chains.

Grace [be] with you. Amen.[fn]