Colossians 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

NIV: Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

NASB: that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.

CSB: so that I may make it known as I should.

NLT: Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

KJV: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

NKJV: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Paul's personal request for prayer is for clarity in preaching the gospel. This short phrase packs a great deal of meaning into few words. First, the gospel is no longer a mystery, but is a clear message (Colossians 1:26). Second, Paul recognizes that the gospel should be presented clearly, without confusion or complication. The false teachings Paul condemned earlier in this letter were characterized by trickery and deception (Colossians 2:8). This included changing the gospel, or adding to it, making it unclear to the young believers in Colossae.

Paul's simple message of faith in Jesus was based on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles (1 Corinthians 15). It included belief in Jesus as the way of salvation (John 3:16; 14:6; Acts 4:12), proclaiming, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Salvation is not by works, but rather leads to good works by those who believe (Ephesians 2:8–10).

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 4/30/2024 3:17:37 AM