OET interlinear COL 4:4

4:4

Pray that I may declare it clearly: The Greek word phaneroō, that the BSB translates declare it clearly, means “reveal, make known, make plain, tell clearly.” Paul used this same Greek verb in 1:26 and in 3:4. In 1:26, he used it to refer to God’s secret plan that he (God) had hidden and not revealed (made known) to people in the past. In 3:4 he used it to refer to the relationship between Christ and Christians, which is hidden now, but will be revealed (made known) when Christ returns. In both cases it means, “to tell clearly and publicly.” However, there are two ways to interpret it here:

1. The emphasis is on “proclaiming publicly.” This part of the verse therefore means “Pray that I may proclaim the message publicly,” or “Pray that I will make the message known to people.” (See NET, SSA.)

2. The emphasis is on “proclaiming clearly.” This part of the verse therefore means “Pray that I may proclaim the message clearly.”

Both of these are acceptable. Most translations use the word clearly here as the BSB has done, and so follow the second interpretation. However, since Paul, in 4:3–4, was again writing about revealing God’s secret plan, it is likely that the emphasis is on “publicly.” So the first interpretation is recommended (1).

as I should: Paul was asking people to pray that he would proclaim the message to many people because this was his duty (BSB, NIV, RSV, GNT, GW, NCV, REB, SSA). This means that Paul wanted to make sure he fulfilled his obligation to tell people about Christ.