Colossians 4 – Shortcode

Continued instruction

1. Masters, give your slaves what is right and fair, *knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being alert in it with thanksgiving.
3. At the same time, praying also for us so God might open a door for us to speak the word: the mystery of the Anointed (because of which I also have been bound),
4. so I might make it clear as it’s necessary for me to speak.
5. Walk in wisdom toward the men outside, taking full advantage of the opportune time
6. with your speech always spoken in grace, *seasoned with salt, to *know how you ought to answer each one.

Personal Greetings

7. The beloved brother, and faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, Tychicus, will make known to you all the news in regard to me,
8. whom I sent to you for this same purpose; so you may know the news about us, and so he may encourage your hearts,
9. together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother who is one of you.  They will make known to you all the news here.
10. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; welcome him if he comes to you),
11. and Jesus called Justus.  These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God from the men who are circumcised, who became a comfort to me.
12. Epaphras (who is one of you) greets you; a slave of Jesus the Anointed who’s always striving for you in his prayers so you might stand mature and fully *convinced in all the will of God.
13. For I testify about him, that he has much concern for you, and the men in Laodicea, and the men in Hierapolis.
14. Luke, the beloved physician greets you, and also Demas.
15. Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and also Nymphas and the church at [his]¹“his” there is a textual variant on this verse centering on the pronoun, here translated “his”.  Some manuscripts read αὐτοῦ (his), some read αὐτῆς (her), and still others read αὐτῶν (singular neuter, so “it”).  The pronoun refers to Nymphas, which could either be a masculine name or a feminine name (Nympha) depending on the accent.  Unfortunately, manuscripts weren’t accented until centuries after the originals were lost, so that doesn’t help determine gender.  Manuscript evidence is divided.  The Majority Text supports the masculine reading, though the lateness of the manuscripts doesn’t make that conclusive.  Given the divided manuscript evidence, Majority Text support, and lexical definitions as masculine, a masculine pronoun was chosen. house.
16. And when this letter is read in your presence, make it so this letter may also be read in the Laodiceans’ church, and so you also may read the letter from Laodicea.
17. And tell Archippus: “See to the ministry that you received in the Lord, so you might complete it.”
18. This greeting is by my hand – Paul.  Remember my chains.  Grace be with you.  [Amen]