Colossians 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

NIV: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

NASB: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

CSB: Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

NLT: Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

KJV: Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

NKJV: Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Verses 2–6 discuss how a Christian speaks. Paul begins by asking for constant and loyal prayer. God does not intend for prayer to be an event taking place only at certain times. It is meant to be an ongoing dialogue with the Lord. First Thessalonians 5:17 notes believers are to "pray without ceasing" or without end."

Paul mentions two important aspects of prayer. First, believers are to be "watchful" in prayer. This carries the idea of standing guard, or staying awake at night to make sure a location is safe. Prayer demands ongoing attention, just like the guard at a city gate. In practical terms, this means prayer is not supposed to be a careless, casual, or frivolous act. We should pray with specific purpose and with deliberate intent.

Second, prayer should be thankful. The Colossian believers were already connected with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7), with Paul thanking God for them in his prayers (Colossians 1:3). A major benefit of prayer is aligning our will with God's will, which leads to greater understanding and to a greater sense of gratitude.

Colossians 4:2–6 completes the main substance of Paul's letter. This passage starts with a request for personal prayer, then transitions into a command regarding how Christians speak. Paul uses the metaphor of salt. Salt, in Paul's day, was valuable enough to be used as money, and was treasured for its ability to preserve and flavor foods. In the same way, a Christian's speech should be helpful and valuable, ''flavored'' differently from the speech of non-believers, and preserving the message of Christ.

The first verse of chapter 4 is actually the last thought from Paul's prior comments about bondservants and masters. After this, Paul gives the Christian perspective on conversation. The way believers speak has a large impact on the effectiveness of our message. Paul then ends his letter with news and messages between various Christian ministers. Among these are names which Paul mentions again in other letters, such as Tychicus, Epaphras, Archippus, and Onesimus.

Prior chapters in this letter established the supremacy of Christ, provided counters to false teaching, and gave instructions for Christian living. Chapter 4 completes these instructions with a general command regarding Christian conversation. Paul then ends the letter with news and comments related to various fellow Christian believers. This follows the general pattern for Paul's letters: introduction, theory, application, personal news and farewell.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:58:33 AM