Commentary On The Epistle To The Colossians
By the Rev. Horace M. Patton
Colossians 4:2-13
Further Instructions:
vs. 2:
Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Paul says we should devote ourselves to prayer and be watchful in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn¹t die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working His will in our lives. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering‹maybe not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that He knows are best.
vs. 3:
The mystery of Christ is Christ¹s Good News of salvation, the gospel. The whole focus of Paul's life was to tell others about Christ, explaining and preaching this wonderful mystery.
vs 4:
Paul asked for prayer that he could proclaim the Good News about Christ clearly, and we can request prayer to do the same. No matter what approach to faith sharing we use, whether emphasizing life-style and example or whether building relationships, we should never obscure the message of the gospel.
vs. 5:
We should be wise in our contacts with non-Christians (outsiders), making the most of our opportunities to tell them the Good News of salvation. What opportunities do you have?
vs. 6:
When we tell others about Christ, it is important always to be gracious in what we say. No matter how much sense the message makes, we lose our effectiveness if we are not courteous. Just as we like to be respected, we must respect others if we want them to listen to what we have to say. Seasoned with salt means that what we say should be ³tasty² and should encourage further dialogue.
vs. 7:
Tychicus was one of Paul¹s personal representatives and probably the bearer of the letters to the Colossians and Ephesians (see also Ephesians 6:21, 22). He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem with the collection for the church (Acts 20:4).
vs. 10:
Aristarchus was a Thessalonian who accompanied Paul on his third journey. He was with Paul in the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:29). He and Tychicus were with Paul in Greece (Acts 20:4). Aristarchus went to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2). Mark started out with Paul and Barnabas on their first journey (Acts 12:25), but he left in the middle of the trip for unknown reasons (Acts 13:13). Barnabas and Mark were relatives, and when Paul refused to take Mark on another journey, Barnabas and Mark journeyed together to preach the Good News (Acts 15:37-41). Mark also worked with Peter (Acts 12:12, 13; 1 Peter 5:13). Later, Mark and Paul were reconciled (Philemon 24). Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark.
vs. 12-13:
Epaphras founded the Colossian church and his report to Paul in Rome caused Paul to write this letter. Epaphras was a hero of the Colossian church, one of the believers who helped keep the church together despite growing troubles. His earnest prayers for the believers show his deep love and concern for them. Laodicea was located a few miles northwest of Colosse; Hierapolis was about five miles north of Laodicea.
Life Application Bible and notes copyright c 1988, 1989,1990,1991,1993,1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, IL 60189. All rights reserved.
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