Colossians 4
The full text of Colossians 4 in the Trinity Bible Version — clear modern English, translated from the original Greek. Free to read.
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, staying alert in it with thanksgiving.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts.
9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.
11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
13 I testify about him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Translation notes (8)
- Colossians 4:1a The Greek phrase to dikaion kai tēn isotēta, rendered here as 'what is right and fair,' literally means 'the just and the equal.' This emphasizes both the legal and moral obligations of masters toward their slaves.
- Colossians 4:6a The Greek literally reads 'let your word always be in grace, seasoned with salt'. The image of salt conveys speech that is pure, preserving, and winsome.
- Colossians 4:8a Some manuscripts read 'that he may know how you are.'
- Colossians 4:10a The Greek literally reads dexasthe auton, 'receive him'. This refers to a prior communication from Paul to the Colossians about Mark.
- Colossians 4:13a The Greek literally reads martyro gar auto hoti echei polyn ponon hyper hymon, 'I testify about him that he has much toil for you'. The place names Laodicea and Hierapolis refer to cities in Phrygia, near Colossae.
- Colossians 4:15a Some manuscripts read 'Nymphas ... the church in his house,' or alternatively 'in their house.'
- Colossians 4:16a The phrase ten ek Laodikeias, 'the one from Laodicea', may refer to a lost letter by Paul or to the Epistle to the Ephesians, which may have been a circular letter delivered to various churches, including Laodicea.
- Colossians 4:18a Some manuscripts add the word 'Amen.'
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