Kehillah in Colossae 4

1 Adonim, treat your avadim in a manner that is yashar and even-handed, with the da’as that you also have an Adon in Shomayim. [Lv 25:43,53]

2 Persevere in your tefillos, keeping watch while davening with todot (thanksgiving),

3 Davening together also concerning us, that G-d may open for us a delet for the Besuras HaGeulah, to speak the raz of Moshiach, on account of which also I have been bound with sharsherot (chains).

4 Offer this tefillah: that I make known the Besuras HaGeulah as it is necessary for me to speak.

5 Walk in chochmah toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

6 May your lashon always be with the Chen v’Chesed Hashem, seasoned with melach (salt), so that you may have da’as how it is necessary for you to answer each one.

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me; he is a beloved Ach b’Moshiach and a keli kodesh who is ne’eman (faithful), a chaver and fellow eved in Adoneinu.

8 Tychicus I sent to you for this very reason, that you might have da’as of everything concerning us and he might impart chizzuk (strengthening, encouragement) to your levavot.

9 With Onesimus, the Ach b’Moshiach, ne’eman and a beloved chaver, one of your kehillah, Tychicus will make known the things here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you Drishat Shalom. Also Markos, cousin of Bar-Nabba. You have received word klapei (concerning) Markos. If he should come to you, give him a kabbalat panim reception and be mekarev (befriend) him.

11 Also Yehoshua, the one being called Justus. These [Aristarchus, Markos, and Justus] are the only Messianic Jews among my fellow po’alim (workers) in the Malchut Hashem. They became to me an encouragement.

12 Epaphras sends you Drishat Shalom. He has also been mishtatef your kehillah, an eved of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, always davening, always agonizing for you in his tefillos, that you might stand Bnei Chayil mature and be fully assured in all the ratzon Hashem.

13 For I give solemn eidus for him that he has toiled much for you and for the ones in Laodicea and for the ones in Hieraopolis.

14 Lukas, the beloved physician, sends you Drishat Shalom, and Demas.

15 Drishat Shalom to the Achim b’Moshiach in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the Brit Chadasha kehillah at her bais.

16 And whenever this iggeret ([hakodesh] holy epistle) is read before you, make sure also that it is read in the Moshiach’s Brit Chadasha Kehillah of the Laodiceans, and also you should read the iggeret [hakodesh] of the Laodiceans.

17 And say to Archippus, "Give attention to the avodas kodesh ministry which you received in Adoneinu, that you fulfill it."

18 This is my handsigned drishat shalom greeting, SHA’UL. Remember my sharsherot (prison chains). Chen v’Chesed Hashem be with you. [T.N. When Rav Sha’ul wrote Romans there were four Messianic Jews with him. Here he speaks of three.]

Kehillah in Colossae 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Masters to do their duty towards servants. (1) Persons of all ranks to persevere in prayer, and Christian prudence. (2-6) The apostle refers to others for an account of his affairs. (7-9) Sends greetings; and concludes with a blessing. (10-18)

Verse 1 The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants. Not only justice is required of them, but strict equity and kindness. Let them deal with servants as they expect God should deal with themselves.

Verses 2-6 No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also.

Verses 7-9 Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to one another. They have one Lord, though they have different stations and powers for service. It is a great comfort under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have fellow Christians caring for us. Circumstances of life make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians; they partake of the same privileges, and are entitled to the same regards. What amazing changes Divine grace makes! Faithless servants become faithful and beloved brethren, and some who had done wrong, become fellow-workers of good.

Verses 10-18 Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, working out their own salvation, and endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. The effectual, fervent prayer is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much. The smiles, flatteries, or frowns of the world, the spirit of error, or the working of self-love, leads many to a way of preaching and living which comes far short of fulfilling their ministry. But those who preach the same doctrine as Paul, and follow his example, may expect the Divine favour and blessing.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS 4

This chapter begins with an exhortation to masters to behave towards their servants in a just and equitable manner, from the consideration of their having a master in heaven, which should have concluded the preceding one; and in it the apostle gives some general exhortations, and some particular instructions about reading this, and another epistle, and stirring up their minister to his duty; and great part of it is taken up in expressing his love to the Colossians, and in the salutations of others, and of himself. The general exhortations are to prayer, with watchfulness and thankfulness, not only for themselves, but especially for the ministers of the Gospel, Col 4:2-4 and next to a wise behaviour towards them that were of the world, Col 4:5 and also to a prudent conversation, particularly in language, with everyone, Col 4:6. And then the apostle proceeds to declare his great affection for them, and care of them, which he showed by sending two proper persons to them from him, partly to make known his affairs to them, and partly to know the state and condition they were in, and comfort them, Col 4:7-9 and next follow the salutations of various persons to them, who are mentioned by name, and whose characters are given, Col 4:10-15. And then he orders them to read this epistle in the church of Laodicea, and also that which came from that place, Col 4:16 and to admonish Archippus to take heed to, and fulfil his ministry, since it was what he had received in the Lord, Col 4:17. And then closes the epistle with his own salutation and benediction, entreating a remembrance of him and his bonds, Col 4:18.