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Colossians chapter 4

English Standard Version

1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3At 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 — 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions — if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and 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. 12Epaphras, 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. 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And 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. 17And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
New International Version

1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."
18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
New American Standard Bible

1Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.
5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and Demas does also. 15Greet the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, 'See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it.'
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
Christian Standard Bible

1Masters, deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4so that I may make it known as I should. 5Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
7Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. 13For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings. 15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. 16After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it."
18I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
New Living Translation

1Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master — in heaven.
2Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
7Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose — to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you. 9I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.
10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 11Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!
12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. 13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. 15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
16After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.
17And say to Archippus, 'Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.'
18HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING — PAUL. Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.
King James Version

1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
New King James Version

1Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and 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.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
16Now when 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. 17And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

What does Colossians chapter 4 mean?

After concluding the subject of the previous chapter, with a word toward Christian masters (Colossians 4:1), chapter 4 focuses on two major themes.

First, Paul gives some miscellaneous instructions (Colossians 4:2–6). He asks for prayer (Colossians 4:2), including an open door to share the gospel (Colossians 4:3) and present it with clarity (Colossians 4:4). Paul advises believers to be wise toward unbelievers and make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5). A believer's words are to be gracious, offering assistance like the seasoning of salt, with the goal of helping others (Colossians 4:6).

Second, Paul offers greetings and encouragement to various friends (Colossians 4:7–18). These include Tychicus, who delivered this letter (Colossians 4:7–8) and Onesimus (Colossians 4:9) who is a major figure in the brief letter of Philemon. Paul then mentions several believers in Rome with him when he wrote his letter, including Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Colossians 4:10–14).

Paul also sends personal greetings to believers in Laodicea, a town about 12 miles away from Colossae. This includes a church that met in Nympha's house (Colossians 4:15). Paul also encourages Archippus (Colossians 4:17), a man also mentioned in Philemon 1:2.

This letter was co-written along with Timothy (Colossians 1:1), which probably means Timothy did most of the handwriting. However, near the end of the letter Paul notes that the closing words are penned by his own hand (Colossians 4:18). Though brief, this powerful chapter offers both instruction and inspiration to assist those who seek to better serve Christ as well as others.
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