2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and 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 among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers[c] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter 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. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

4:2-4: Before Paul concludes his letter with his gospel partnerships (4:7-18), he encourages our prayer life and Christian testimony. He highlights three things about prayer. First, our prayers should be steadfast, persistent and unwavering (Psalm 88:13; Matthew 7:7; Luke 18:1-8; Acts 1:14; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18). 

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul exhorted them to “pray without ceasing.” (5:17) He is not saying that we should be praying 24/7, but rather, that “we should be constantly in fellowship with God so that prayer is as normal to us as breathing.” (Wiersbe, 146) 

Second, a watchful, vigilant, and alert prayer life creates a spiritual awareness for truth, grace, ourselves, the world, and God’s kingdom (cf. Matthew 6:9-13; Ephesians 6:18-20). Hughes observes that “a habit of prayer demands mental alertness to the dangers of life and the needs of those around us, an awareness that can at any moment launch us into fervent prayer.” (348)

Third, our prayers should be evangelistic “to declare the mystery of Christ” (4:3) and “make [the gospel] clear.” (4:4) Paul was imprisoned for the gospel, but this didn’t stop him from proclaiming the “good news.” (cf. Acts 16:16-34; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:12-18; Philemon 1:13) To this end, Paul exhorted Christians to pray for the gospel to be clearly presented. 

4:5-6: Regarding our Christian testimony, Paul highlights the importance of our relationships and speech. How do we “walk in wisdom toward outsiders?” (4:5) In other words, how do we take the initiative to share the gospel with our family and friends? 

At Pathway, we use the acrostic PRISM (Prayer, Relationships, Invitations, Spiritual Conversations, Movement) to encourage a lifestyle of proclaiming the gospel. 

Here’s a summary of PRISM:

Pray: bring your family and friends before God. Pray for boldness, wisdom, and opportunities 

Relationships: build your relationship (listening, supporting, loving, serving)

Invitations: invite your family and friends (socials, shopping, exercise, cooking, church) 

Spiritual conversations: initiate conversations about God, the Bible, Jesus, life; share your testimony

Movement: praise God when you see your family and friends move toward God.         

4:7-9: Tychicus probably carried Paul’s letter to the Colossians (4:8), Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21), and probably Philemon (since all of these were written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome). But he was more than just a glorified mailperson! Paul called Tychicus “beloved brother,” “faithful minister,” and “fellow servant.” 

We learn more about Onesimus in Paul’s letter to Philemon. A runaway “slave” from Philemon, he became a Christian while he was with Paul in Rome. But Onesimus is more than a slave—he’s Paul’s “faithful and beloved brother” and now a fellow Christ-follower (“one of you.”) Both men will inform the Colossians about Paul’s condition in Rome.

4:10-11: Aristarchus, “a Macedonian from Thessalonica,” (Acts 27:2) “one of Paul’s travel companions on his third missionary journey,” (19:29, 20:4) (Pao, 312) was with Paul during the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41). Commentators are divided among the literalness of Aristarchus being a “fellow prisoner” with Paul (could be metaphorical: a life of full surrender to Jesus’ reign in one’s life). 

Mark, whose Gospel bears his name, accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4-12: John is his first name), but later departed (Acts 13:13). For this reason, Paul took Silas on the second missionary journey and Barnabas (his cousin) took John Mark with him (Acts 15:36-41). 

Approximately 13-15 years later, while Paul was imprisoned for the second time in Rome (ca. 67-68 AD), he requests of Timothy: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11) While we don’t have the details of these passing years, Paul’s opinion of Mark changed dramatically—and we can make a safe assumption that Barnabas made an impact in his life.  

Barnabas (“Son of Encouragement”) was from Cyprus (Acts 4:36). A servant at heart (Acts 4:36-37; 9:27), he brought Saul/Paul into Christian fellowship in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-30) when most feared him due to his persecution of the believers (Acts 8:1-3). Barnabas and Paul went on the first missionary journey (they took Mark) (Acts 13-14). As mentioned above, a sharp disagreement between Barnabas and Paul led to them taking different partners for missions (Barnabas: Mark; Paul: Silas).       

Not much has been discovered about Justus. One of “the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers” with Aristarchus and Mark. This might be Paul’s way of “contrasting these three men with other Jews in the vicinity…[who] are working for the kingdom of God.” (Moo, 341)    

4:12-14: We have already discussed Epaphras’ role in this letter (see introduction). Now visiting Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (ca. 60-62 AD), we learn a few additional insights about this “servant of Christ Jesus.” First, Epaphras was a prayer warrior. Second, he wanted the Colossians to reach spiritual maturity. Third, Epaphras was a diligent worker for God’s kingdom (includes Laodicea: approximately 10 miles northwest of Colossae and Hierapolis: approximately 13 miles north of Colossae). 

Luke, the author of our third Gospel, was the “beloved” physician and some would say historian (he wrote Acts). He joined Paul and Silas (Acts 16:6-10) during the second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-18:22) but stayed in Philippi (inferred from Acts 17:1). Later, he joined Paul (Acts 20:5) on the third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:26) and was with Paul during his first (Philemon 1:24: ca. 60-62 AD) and second Roman imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11: ca. 67-68 AD). 

Demas was with Paul during his first imprisonment (Philemon 1:24), but later “deserted” Paul (sometime after Colossians and Philemon were written) because he was “in love with this present world.” (2 Timothy 4:10) Demas’ live provides us with a stark warning to persevere. 

So, what does it look like for Jesus to reign in our gospel partnerships? First, local churches and Christian fellowships come together for community, worship, edification, and outreach. Second, both parties bless one another. Third, God’s kingdom expands through our gospel partnerships.

4:15-18: Paul sends his greetings to the believers in Laodicea and Nympha’s house church. He also wants Colossians read at Laodicea and his letter written to Laodicea to be read in Colossae (we don’t have this letter). Archippus, a “fellow soldier” (Philemon 1:2), is charged with “fulfilling” God’s call to ministry. 

Finally, Paul informs the Colossian Christians to “remember” his imprisonment for the gospel and God’s grace. A perfect way to end this amazing letter. Chains and prison walls cannot stop God’s grace and the gospel from imparting new spiritual life into lost souls. 

Through grace and gospel, the reign of Jesus begins to take root in our lives through our spiritual union with Christ, who is God in human flesh. May God’s people pursue Him with Scripture, prayer, worship, and community as we live for God’s glory and proclaim the gospel to family and friends. 

Jesus reigns. 

1. What kind of prayer life was Paul encouraging the Colossians to pursue? (v. 2) 

2. Discuss the ideas of proclamation, prison, and prayer in light of Paul’s situation (v. 3-4). How can his life serve as an example for you to follow? 

3. What’s Paul’s advice for interacting and building friendships with those “outside” our Christian community? (vs. 5-6) Share additional advice for deepening our relationships and sharing our faith with family members and friends.

4. A large portion of this passage deals with Paul’s gospel partnerships (vs. 10-17). Which names/characters are you most familiar with and why? 

5. To what extent are you familiar with Pathway’s local and global mission partnerships? Briefly share about one of your short-term missions’ experience (locally, globally). 

6. Why are gospel partnerships important? What purposes do they serve?

7. How does Jesus reign in 4:2-4:18? How can these truths make a difference in our lives?