The Epistles · Chapter 4 of 4
Colossians 4
Paul closes his letter with instructions to masters to treat their servants justly, remembering their own Master in heaven. He urges the church to persevere in prayer, to walk wisely toward outsiders, and to season their speech with grace. He then commends and greets a wide circle of fellow workers, including Tychicus, Onesimus, Epaphras, and Luke, sending final words to the surrounding churches.
What happens in Colossians 4
Paul first tells masters to give their servants what is just and equal, reminding them that they too have a Master in heaven. He calls the church to continue steadfastly in prayer, and to pray that God would open a door for the word so he can make known the mystery of Christ. He urges them to walk in wisdom toward outsiders and to let their speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt. Paul then turns to greetings, commending Tychicus, whom he sends with Onesimus, a faithful brother from among them.
He passes greetings from Aristarchus, Mark the cousin of Barnabas, and Jesus called Justus. Epaphras, one of their own, labors fervently in prayer that they may stand mature, and Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet them too. Paul asks that the letter be read also in Laodicea, gives a word to Archippus about fulfilling his ministry, adds a greeting in his own hand, and closes with grace.
Colossians 4 in context
This is the closing chapter of Colossians, written from prison. After confronting false teaching and giving household instructions, Paul turns to final exhortations on prayer, wise conduct, and gracious speech, then to warm personal greetings.
The list of names offers a rare glimpse into Paul's network of coworkers and the interconnected life of the early churches, including the mention of Onesimus, the runaway slave who is the subject of Paul's letter to Philemon.
Main themes of Colossians 4
Colossians 4 (KJV)
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.
Verses to carry from Colossians 4
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”Colossians 4:2
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”Colossians 4:6
“Epaphras, 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.”Colossians 4:12
Thematic connection
How Colossians 4 points to Jesus
Though this closing chapter is largely practical and personal, Christ remains its quiet center. Paul reminds masters that they answer to a Master in heaven, placing all earthly authority under the lordship of Christ. His own imprisonment is for the sake of the mystery of Christ, which he still longs to proclaim, and he asks prayer that God would open a door to speak it clearly. Epaphras labors in prayer that the believers would stand mature and complete in the will of God, a maturity defined by the Christ exalted throughout the letter.
Several coworkers are described as servants of Christ and fellow workers for the kingdom of God. The chapter shows what a Christ-centered community looks like in practice: prayerful, gracious in speech, wise toward outsiders, bound together by devotion to the Lord whose grace closes the letter.
Questions about Colossians 4
What does it mean for speech to be seasoned with salt?
Paul urges that speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so believers know how to answer everyone. Salt preserves and adds flavor. Speech seasoned with salt is winsome, thoughtful, and wholesome, neither bland nor corrupt. Paul links it to walking in wisdom toward outsiders, so that a believer's words commend the gospel and are fitted wisely to each person and situation.
Why does Paul list so many names at the end?
The closing greetings reveal that Paul's ministry was carried by a community, not a solitary hero. Coworkers like Tychicus, Onesimus, Epaphras, and Luke prayed, traveled, suffered, and served alongside him. The names show real relationships, mutual encouragement, and the interconnected life of the early churches, reminding readers that the gospel advances through ordinary faithful people bound together in Christ.
Reflection
Notice how Paul weaves prayer, gracious speech, and genuine relationships into the fabric of gospel work. Ask whether your own witness is marked by steadfast prayer and words seasoned with grace. Ministry is not a solo pursuit; it is carried by a community of faithful servants who pray for and encourage one another.
A prayer from Colossians 4
Read the whole Bible with the family
Open it in the app, study it live with someone, and let it lead you to Christ.
Open the BibleRead it togetherSee what God is doing