Colossians 4

Rules for Christian Households

1 Masters, a give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

2 b Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it c with thanksgiving; 3 d meanwhile praying also for us, that God would e open to us a door for the word, to speak f the 1 mystery of Christ, g for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 h Walk in i wisdom toward those who are outside, j redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be k with grace, l seasoned with salt, m that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings

7 n Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 o I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that 2 he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

10 q Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with r Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me. 12 s Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always t laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand u perfect and 3 complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great 4 zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 v Luke the beloved physician and w Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and 5 Nymphas and x the church that is in 6 his house. 16 Now when y this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to a the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

18 b This salutation by my own hand - Paul. c Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

  1. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:9
    And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 18:1
    Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
  3. Cross References
    Colossians 2:7
    Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
  4. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:19
    And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:9
    For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
  6. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:3
    How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already.
    Ephesians 3:4
    By which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ).
    Ephesians 6:19
    And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:20
    For which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
  8. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:15
    See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 10:16
    Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
  10. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:16
    Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
  11. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 10:12
    The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up.
  12. Cross References
    Mark 9:50
    "Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
  13. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:15
    But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 20:4
    And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
    Ephesians 6:21
    But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you.
    2 Timothy 4:12
    And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
    Titus 3:12
    When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:22
    Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 19:29
    So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.
    Acts 20:4
    And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
    Acts 27:2
    So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 15:37
    Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
    2 Timothy 4:11
    Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
  18. Cross References
    Colossians 1:7
    As you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 15:30
    Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.
  20. Cross References
    Matthew 5:48
    Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
  21. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:11
    Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
  22. Cross References
    2 Timothy 4:10
    For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica - Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 16:5
    Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
    1 Corinthians 16:19
    The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
  24. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:27
    I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
    2 Thessalonians 3:14
    And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
  25. Cross References
    1 Timothy 4:6
    If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
    2 Timothy 4:5
    But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:21
    The salutation with my own hand - Paul's.
    2 Thessalonians 3:17
    The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
  27. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:3
    Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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