1Páni, prokazujte otrokům, co je spravedlivé a správné; vždyť víte, že i vy máte Pána v nebi. 2V modlitbě buďte vytrvalí; buďte v ní bdělí a vděční. 3Modlete se současně i za nás, aby nám Bůh otevřel dveře slova, abychom mohli mluvit o tajemství Kristovu, pro něž jsem také spoután, 4abych je učinil zjevným tak, jak jsem povinen o něm mluvit. 5Žijte moudře před těmi, kteří jsou vně, vykupujíce čas. 6Vaše řeč ať je vždy laskavá, okořeněná solí, abyste věděli, jak máte každému odpovědět. 7Co je se mnou, vám oznámí Tychikos, milovaný bratr, věrný služebník a spoluotrok v Pánu, 8jehož jsem k vám poslal právě proto, abyste se o nás dověděli a aby povzbudil vaše srdce. 9Posílám ho s Onezimem, věrným a milovaným bratrem, jenž je od vás. Ti vám oznámí všechno, co se zde děje. 10Pozdravuje vás můj spoluvězeň Aristarchos a Barnabášův bratranec Marek, o němž jste dostali pokyny; až k vám přijde, přijměte ho. 11Dále Ježíš zvaný Justus. Oni jsou ze Židů moji jediní spolupracovníci pro Boží království; stali se mou útěchou. 12Pozdravuje vás Epafras, který je od vás, otrok Krista Ježíše; on za vás ustavičně zápasí na modlitbách, abyste byli postaveni zralí a úplní v celé vůli Boží. 13Dosvědčuji mu, že pro vás a pro ty, kdo jsou v Laodiceji a v Hierapoli, vynakládá mnoho namáhavé práce. 14Pozdravuje vás milovaný lékař Lukáš a Démas. 15Pozdravte bratry v Laodiceji i Nymfu a církev, která je v jeho domě. 16A až bude u vás tento dopis přečten, zařiďte, aby byl přečten také v laodicejském sboru a abyste i vy přečetli dopis Laodicejským. 17A Archippovi řekněte: ‚Hleď si služby, kterou jsi v Pánu přijal, abys ji plnil.‘ 18Pozdrav mou, Pavlovou rukou. Pamatujte na má pouta. Milost s vámi. Amen.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 EXHORTATIONS CONTINUED. TO PRAYER: WISDOM IN RELATION TO THE UNCONVERTED: AS TO THE BEARERS OF THE EPISTLE, TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS: CLOSING SALUTATIONS. (Col. 4:1-18)
give--Greek "render": literally, "afford."
equal--that is, as the slaves owe their duties to you, so you equally owe to them your duties as masters. Compare "ye masters do the same things" (see on
Εφεσ. 6:9). ALFORD translates, "fairness," "equity," which gives a large and liberal interpretation of justice in common matters (
Φιλ. 1:16).
knowing-- (
Κολ. 3:24).
ye also--as well as they.
2 Continue--Greek, "Continue perseveringly," "persevere" (
Εφεσ. 6:18), "watching thereunto"; here, "watch in the same," or "in it," that is, in prayer: watching against the indolence as to prayer, and in prayer, of our corrupt wills.
with thanksgiving--for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, mercies temporal and spiritual, national, family, and individual (
1Κορ. 14:17;
Φιλ. 4:6;
1Θεσ. 5:18).
3 for us--myself and Timothy (
Κολ. 1:1).
a door of utterance--Translate, "a door for the word." Not as in
Εφεσ. 6:19, where power of "utterance" is his petition. Here it is an opportunity for preaching the word, which would be best afforded by his release from prison (
1Κορ. 16:9;
2Κορ. 2:12;
Φιλ. 1:22;
Αποκ. 3:8).
to speak--so that we may speak.
the mystery of Christ-- (
Κολ. 1:27).
for which . . . also--on account of which I am (not only "an ambassador,"
Εφεσ. 6:20, but) ALSO in bonds.
4 ALFORD thinks that Paul asks their prayers for his release as if it were the "only" way by which he could "make it (the Gospel) manifest" as he ought. But while this is included in their subject of prayer,
Φιλ. 1:12-
Φιλ. 1:13, written somewhat later in his imprisonment, clearly shows that "a door for the word" could be opened, and was opened, for its manifestation, even while he remained imprisoned (compare
2Τιμ. 2:9).
5 (See on
Εφεσ. 5:15-
Εφεσ. 5:16.)
in wisdom--practical Christian prudence.
them . . . without--Those not in the Christian brotherhood (
1Κορ. 5:12;
1Θεσ. 4:12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none. Therefore be the more on your guard in your intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion.
redeeming the time--The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and buying off from worldly vanities the opportunity, whenever it is afforded you, of good to yourselves and others. "Forestall the opportunity, that is, to buy up an article out of the market, so as to make the largest profit from it" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].
6 with grace--Greek, "IN grace" as its element (
Κολ. 3:16;
Εφεσ. 4:29). Contrast the case of those "of the world" who "therefore speak of the world" (
1Ιωάν. 4:5). Even the smallest leaf of the believer should be full of the sap of the Holy Spirit (
Ιερ. 17:7-
Ιερ. 17:8). His conversation should be cheerful without levity, serious without gloom. Compare
Λουκ. 4:22;
Ιωάν. 7:46, as to Jesus' speech.
seasoned with salt--that is, the savor of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness, excluding all "corrupt communication," and also tasteless insipidity (
Ματθ. 5:13;
Μάρκ. 9:50;
Εφεσ. 4:29). Compare all the sacrifices seasoned with salt (
Λευ. 2:13). Not far from Colosse, in Phrygia, there was a salt lake, which gives to the image here the more appropriateness.
how ye ought to answer every man-- (
1Πέτ. 3:15).
7 Tychicus--(See on
Εφεσ. 6:2).
who is a beloved brother--rather, "the beloved brother"; the article "the" marks him as well known to them.
8 for the same purpose--Greek, "for this very purpose."
that he might know your estate--Translate, "that he may know your state": answering to
Κολ. 4:7. So one very old manuscript and Vulgate read. But the oldest manuscripts and the old Latin versions, "that YE may know OUR state." However, the latter reading seems likely to have crept in from
Εφεσ. 6:22. Paul was the more anxious to know the state of the Colossians, on account of the seductions to which they were exposed from false teachers; owing to which he had "great conflict for" them (
Κολ. 2:1).
comfort your hearts--distressed as ye are by my imprisonment, as well as by your own trials.
9 Onesimus--the slave mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (
Φιλ. 1:10,
Φιλ. 1:16), "a brother beloved."
a faithful . . . brother--rather, "the faithful brother," he being known to the Colossians as the slave of Philemon, their fellow townsman and fellow Christian.
one of you--belonging to your city.
They shall make known unto you all things--Greek, "all the things here." This substantial repetition of "all my state shall Tychicus declare unto you," strongly favors the reading of English Version in
Κολ. 4:8, "that he might (may) know your state," as it is unlikely the same thing should be stated thrice.
10 Aristarchus--a Macedonian of Thessalonica (
Πράξ. 27:2), who was dragged into the theater at Ephesus, during the tumult with Gaius, they being "Paul's companions in travel." He accompanied Paul to Asia (
Πράξ. 20:4), and subsequently (
Πράξ. 27:2) to Rome. He was now at Rome with Paul (compare
Φιλ. 1:23-
Φιλ. 1:24). As he is here spoken of as Paul's "fellow prisoner," but in
Φιλ. 1:24 as Paul's "fellow laborer"; and vice versa, Epaphras in
Φιλ. 1:23, as his "fellow prisoner," but here (
Κολ. 1:7) "fellow servant," MEYER in ALFORD, conjectures that Paul's friends voluntarily shared his imprisonment by turns, Aristarchus being his fellow prisoner when he wrote to the Colossians, Epaphras when he wrote to Philemon. The Greek for "fellow prisoner" is literally, fellow captive, an image from prisoners taken in warfare, Christians being "fellow soldiers" (
Φιλ. 2:25;
Φιλ. 1:2), whose warfare is "the good fight of faith."
Mark--John Mark (
Πράξ. 12:12,
Πράξ. 12:25); the Evangelist according to tradition.
sister's son--rather, "cousin," or "kinsman to Barnabas"; the latter being the better known is introduced to designate Mark. The relationship naturally accounts for Barnabas' selection of Mark as his companion when otherwise qualified; and also for Mark's mother's house at Jerusalem being the place of resort of Christians there (
Πράξ. 12:12). The family belonged to Cyprus (
Πράξ. 4:36); this accounts for Barnabas' choice of Cyprus as the first station on their journey (
Πράξ. 13:4), and for Mark's accompanying them readily so far, it being the country of his family; and for Paul's rejecting him at the second journey for not having gone further than Perga, in Pamphylia, but having gone thence home to his mother at Jerusalem (
Ματθ. 10:37) on the first journey (
Πράξ. 13:13).
touching whom--namely, Mark.
ye received commandments--possibly before the writing of this Epistle; or the "commandments" were verbal by Tychicus, and accompanying this letter, since the past tense was used by the ancients (where we use the present) in relation to the time which it would be when the letter was read by the Colossians. Thus (
Φιλ. 1:19), "I have written," for "I write." The substance of them was, "If he come unto you, receive him." Paul's rejection of him on his second missionary journey, because he had turned back at Perga on the first journey (
Πράξ. 13:13;
Πράξ. 15:37-
Πράξ. 15:39), had caused an alienation between himself and Barnabas. Christian love soon healed the breach; for here he implies his restored confidence in Mark, makes honorable allusion to Barnabas, and desires that those at Colosse who had regarded Mark in consequence of that past error with suspicion, should now "receive" him with kindness. Colosse is only about one hundred ten miles from Perga, and less than twenty from the confines of Pisidia, through which province Paul and Barnabas preached on their return during the same journey. Hence, though Paul had not personally visited the Colossian Church, they knew of the past unfaithfulness of Mark; and needed this recommendation of him, after the temporary cloud on him, so as to receive him, now that he was about to visit them as an evangelist. Again, in Paul's last imprisonment, he, for the last time, speaks of Mark (
2Τιμ. 4:11).
11 Justus--that is, righteous; a common name among the Jews; Hebrew, "tzadik" (
Πράξ. 1:23).
of the circumcision--This implies that Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (
Κολ. 4:12,
Κολ. 4:14) were not of the circumcision. This agrees with Luke's Gentile name (the same as Lucanus), and the Gentile aspect of his Gospel.
These only, &c.--namely, of the Jews. For the Jewish teachers were generally opposed to the apostle of the Gentiles (
Φιλ. 1:15). Epaphras, &c., were also fellow laborers, but Gentiles.
unto--that is, in promoting the Gospel kingdom.
which have been--Greek, "which have been made," or "have become," that is, inasmuch as they have become a comfort to me. The Greek implies comfort in forensic dangers; a different Greek word expresses comfort in domestic affliction [BENGEL].
12 Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus."
labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on
Κολ. 1:29 and
Κολ. 2:1), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest."
in prayers--Translate as Greek, "in his prayers."
complete--The oldest manuscripts read, "fully assured." It is translated, "fully persuaded,"
Ρωμ. 4:21;
Ρωμ. 14:5. In the expression "perfect," he refers to what he has already said,
Κολ. 1:28;
Κολ. 2:2;
Κολ. 3:14. "Perfect" implies the attainment of the full maturity of a Christian. BENGEL joins "in all the will of God" with "stand."
13 a great zeal--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate have "much labor."
for you--lest you should be seduced (
Κολ. 2:4); a motive why you should be anxious for yourselves.
them that are in Laodicea . . . Hierapolis--churches probably founded by Epaphras, as the Church in Colosse was. Laodicea, called from Laodice, queen of Antiochus II, on the river Lycus, was, according to the subscription to First Timothy, "the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana" (
1Τιμ. 6:21). All the three cities were destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 62 [TACITUS, Annals, 14.27]. Hierapolis was six Roman miles north of Laodicea.
14 It is conjectured that Luke "the beloved physician" (the same as the Evangelist), may have first become connected with Paul in professionally attending on him in the sickness under which he labored in Phrygia and Galatia (in which latter place he was detained by sickness), in the early part of that journey wherein Luke first is found in his company (
Πράξ. 16:10; compare Note, see on
Γαλ. 4:13). Thus the allusion to his medical profession is appropriate in writing to men of Phrygia. Luke ministered to Paul in his last imprisonment (
2Τιμ. 4:11).
Demas--included among his "fellow laborers" (
Φιλ. 1:24), but afterwards a deserter from him through love of this world (
2Τιμ. 4:10). He alone has here no honorable or descriptive epithet attached to his name. Perhaps, already, his real character was betraying itself.
15 Nymphas--of Laodicea.
church . . . in his house--So old manuscripts and Vulgate read. The oldest read, "THEIR house"; and one manuscript, "HER house," which makes Nymphas a woman.
16 the epistle from Laodicea--namely, the Epistle which I wrote to the Laodiceans, and which you will get from them on applying to them. Not the Epistle to the Ephesians. See Introduction to Ephesians and Introduction to Colossians. The Epistles from the apostles were publicly read in the church assemblies. IGNATIUS [Epistle to the Ephesians, 12], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 3.11,12], CLEMENT [Epistle to the Corinthians, 1. 47],
1Θεσ. 5:27;
Αποκ. 1:3, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear." Thus, they and the Gospels were put on a level with the Old Testament, which was similarly read (
Δευτ. 31:11). The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write, besides those extant, other Epistles which He saw necessary for that day, and for particular churches; and which were not so for the Church of all ages and places. It is possible that as the Epistle to the Colossians was to be read for the edification of other churches besides that of Colosse; so the Epistle to the Ephesians was to be read in various churches besides Ephesus, and that Laodicea was the last of such churches before Colosse, whence he might designate the Epistle to the Ephesians here as "the Epistle from Laodicea." But it is equally possible that the Epistle meant was one to the Laodiceans themselves.
17 say to Archippus--The Colossians (not merely the clergy, but the laymen) are directed, "Speak ye to Archippus." This proves that Scripture belongs to the laity as well as the clergy; and that laymen may profitably admonish the clergy in particular cases when they do so in meekness. BENGEL suggests that Archippus was perhaps prevented from going to the Church assembly by weak health or age. The word, "fulfil," accords with his ministry being near its close (
Κολ. 1:25; compare
Φιλ. 1:2). However, "fulfil" may mean, as in
2Τιμ. 4:5, "make full proof of thy ministry." "Give all diligence to follow it out fully"; a monition perhaps needed by Archippus.
in the Lord--The element in which every work of the Christian, and especially the Christian minister, is to be done (
Κολ. 4:7;
1Κορ. 7:39;
Φιλ. 4:2).
18 Paul's autograph salutation (so
1Κορ. 16:21;
2Θεσ. 3:17), attesting that the preceding letter, though written by an amanuensis, is from himself.
Remember my bonds--Already in this chapter he had mentioned his "bonds" (
Κολ. 4:3), and again
Κολ. 4:10, an incentive why they should love and pray (
Κολ. 4:3) for him; and still more, that they should, in reverential obedience to his monitions in this Epistle, shrink from the false teaching herein stigmatized, remembering what a conflict (
Κολ. 2:1) he had in their behalf amidst his bonds. "When we read of his chains, we should not forget that they moved over the paper as he wrote; his [right] hand was chained to the [left hand of the] soldier who kept him" [ALFORD].
Grace be with you--Greek, "THE grace" which every Christian enjoys in some degree, and which flows from God in Christ by the Holy Ghost (
Τίτ 3:15;
Εβρ. 13:25)