Col. 4 Col. 4:1 The duty of masters towards their servants. Col. 4:2–4 general exhortation to perseverance in prayer, Col. 4:5 discreet conduct, Col. 4:6 and well-ordered speech. Col. 4:7–9 The apostle commendeth Tychicus and Onesimus, by whom he sent this Epistle, Col.

That this verse doth refer to the foregoing chapter, and that it was unadvisedly divided from it, is generally agreed. Masters: having put servants upon their duty, he doth here engage all those who have a just right over servants to mind their own duty toward those under their command.

Continue in prayer; persevere or hold on strongly in prayer with fervency: we are apt to grow sluggish and indisposed, and therefore have need of quickening to this duty, Luke 18:1, Eph. 6:18.

Withal praying also for us; not only putting up petitions for themselves, but also interceding for Paul, and others with him, especially Timothy, mentioned in the salutation, Col. 1:1, Col. 1:7, Rom. 15:30, 2 Cor. 1:11, Phil. 1:19, 2 Thess. 3:1, Philem. 22.

That I may manifest, or open and clear, it in due circumstances, as becomes an able minister of Christ, Rom. 1:15, 1 Cor. 2:4, 1 Cor. 9:16 with 2 Tim. 2:15, 2 Tim. 4:2.

Walk in wisdom; let your course of life be managed with all Christian prudence, that you may not any way disparage the Christian institution, 2 Sam. 12:14, Rom. 2:23–24, with 1 Tim. 6:4; with your innocency be wise as serpents, Matt. 10:16, Eph.

Let your speech be alway with grace: because discourse is the tenderest part of our converse with men, especially those without, and ought to be managed with the greatest circumspection, upon occasions in every fit season, in imitation of Christ, who entertained those that did converse with him…

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you: the apostle drawing to a conclusion, that he at so great distance might certify them of his love to them, and care for them, doth here acquaint them that with this Epistle he was sending two persons of integrity, for their satisfaction and his, viz.

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose; who was Paul’s messenger to them, as to let them know how it was with Paul, so to this end: 1. That he might know your estate; that he might clearly understand, how their matters stood, (as Eph. 6:22} especially with respect to spirituals, Col.

With Onesimus, whom he adjoins to Tychicus. Some, because of his following commendation, think him to be another person different from the fugitive servant of Philemon; but the most, comparing the description here with the circumstances in the Epistle to Philemon, Col. 4:10, Col.

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you: here he doth wish prosperity to them, Luke 10:5, in the name of others, beginning with those of the circumcision, viz.

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision; a third person of those who had been Jews mentioned in this salutation, is Jesus, surnamed Justus, (probably from his just conversation), whether the same with him mentioned in Luke’s history of the Acts, Acts 28:7, is not evident.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you: after he had given them the good wishes of some of the Jews, he doth here give the like from some of the Gentiles, beginning with Epaphras, whom he had before commended, Col.

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you; for, saith the apostle, though I am not privy to his secret prayers, yet I can bear him witness, and do give him mine own testimony, that he hath a most ardent and special affection for you Christians at Colosse.

Luke, the beloved physician; whether this Luke was the same with him that penned the Gospel and the Acts, because the apostle here gives him no higher a commendation, some doubt.

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea; having saluted the Colossians, in the names of others, circumcised and uncircumcised, he desires them in his own name to salute the Christians in the church at Laodicea.

And when this epistle is read among you: the apostle takes it for granted, that, when this Epistle came to their hands, it would be publicly read in a solemn assembly of the church, or brethren, convened to that purpose, as elsewhere usual.

He also enjoins them to advise or advertise Archippus, whom he doth elsewhere call his fellow soldier, i.e. minister in the gospel, Philem. 2, on his and Timothy’s behalf, to see to, or be mindful of, the nature of that excellent ministry he had undertaken, Rom. 11:13, Eph. 3:7, 1 Tim.

The salutation by the hand of me Paul: the apostle having them on his heart, and here (as elsewhere) likely having used an amanuensis to pen the body of his Epistle, to prevent fraud and forgery he doth subscribe his salutation and apostolical benediction with his own hand, which was well known,…