Chapter 4
V1 As in Eph 6:9, masters are exhorted to rule over their slaves in love and fairness, as our Master Yeshua haMashiach does each individual member of His body in the ecclesia. The word translated just is dikaios/righteous observing divine laws, keeping the commands of Elohim. Isotes/equal, is better translated equitable. In the body of Messiah there is no respect of persons, but our gifts and rewards are dispensed equitably, according to our response to the calling, our maturity and faithfulness in heart cf parable of the talents of Matt 25:14-30.
V2-4 Paul stresses the need to pray consistently and diligently and to simultaneously give strict attention to eucharistia/thankfulness. We must move away from selfish prayer such as is characteristic of prosperity gospel churches, but rather major on being grateful for life itself, and for the grace and mercy that Elohim bestowed upon us, being justified by believing in the redemptive work and sacrifice of Yeshua His Son, also thanking our Father for the salvation that awaits us at the end of our faith. Praying for riches on earth which are fleeting and full of vanity, and worrying for tomorrow, proves a lack of faith and trust in the provisions of greater gifts that our Saviour has in store for us cf Matt 6:25-34.
We are adjured to not only pray in thankfulness but also for those saints who suffer from trials and tribulations in their evangelism of this mystery of the true gospel of Yeshua our Messiah. There are parts of the world such as in Islamic countries, and communist states where Christians are experiencing persecution and death for spreading the gospel. We must pray incessantly for these gallant men and women’s success in their endeavours. More so, we should pray that they actually deliver a truthful message devoid of delusion and deceit, as Satan appoints stronger spiritual agents of confusion and lies upon them in his bid to pollute the message. Torah truth must prevail in their preaching so as not to create disciples worse off than their original state cf Matt 23:15.
V5 Walking in wisdom is walking in Yeshua, who is defined as wisdom cf Lk 11:49; Matt 23:34. We have already in this teaching discovered through scripture that wisdom is Torah, and that walking in Yeshua, means upholding His Torah. We must not compromise our faith but walk in Torah truth at all times. 1 Cor 9:18-22 beautifully exemplifies this, although viciously misinterpreted by those Torah detractors who read it out of context. In v21 Paul expressly qualifies his actions as being within the boundaries of Torah of Elohim to Messiah.
V6 Our discourse with whomever we may communicate with must be with loving kindness. Seasoned with salt means our speech should be of substance, preserved in wisdom and be devoid of rot, just as salt preserves food cf Matt 5:13. Salt is ultimately a figure of prudence as the rest of the verse exposes. In order to have knowledge of any question from man relating to the Christian faith, we must be prudent, and this is achieved through epignosis/precise knowledge found in the Torah as Paul has outlined in this epistle and the others. Only through allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, by virtue of following the Torah, is our knowledge of the word made sharper than a two-edged sword cf Heb 4:12.
V7-8 Paul concludes by reassuring the Colossians of conveyance of the gospel to them and his affairs and to be comforted by Tychicus/fateful, who was a devoted brother in Messiah of Paul’s cf Acts 20:4; Eph 6:21-22; Tit 3:12; 2 Tim 4:12. Tychicus co-penned the epistle on Paul’s behalf from Rome.
V9 Onesimus/profitable, useful also co-penned the letter. He was a Christian slave of Philemon cf Phil 1:10-11.
V10 Aristarchus was a Macedonian of Thessalonica Acts 20:4 having accompanied Paul to Ephesus Acts 19:29 and Rome Acts 27:2. Mark also known as John Mark Acts 12:25 was the anepsios/cousin of Barnabas. Despite separating from Paul in Acts 13:13 they re-joined later 2 Tim 4:11.
V11 Jesus/Justas in Hebrew Yeshua was clearly a fellow Jew of the circumcision.
V12-13 Epraphas, a Gentile was a prayer warrior, who being a doulos/slave of Messiah bought with a price, personified the concept of a ger/sojourner accepted into the congregation of Israel. He fervently and intensely furthered the true gospel in praying for this Gentile Colossian ecclesia to adhere to ALL the will of Elohim which is completion found in Torah observance. He is a perfect example in scripture of Gentiles being grafted into Israel unto Torah observance in Holy Spirit power.
V14 Loukas/Lucanus (Latin), Luke is the author of the eponymous gospel and the book of Acts. He also co-penned 2 Corinthians cf 2 Cor 13:14. Demas later forsook Paul for the pleasures of the world cf 2 Tim 4:10. This is a clear indication that salvation is not guaranteed and blows away the once saved always saved heresy.
V15 Nymphas was clearly a zealous Gentile Christian in Laodicea. Note how early Christians who comprised the ecclesia met in houses and not in church buildings, a trait which only commenced in the 3rd century cf Philem 1:2. We should consider returning to such practices as the Holy Spirit only requires 2 or 3 to meet in the name of Yeshua to be in their presence cf Matt 18:20. Besides it is beneficial to meet in houses for greater edification on a more personal level, than congregate in meaningless stadia where the atmosphere is more akin to a sports venue or concert, characteristic of mega churches of today.
V16-17 Colossians was written for the Laodiceans too. Archippus was a member of the ecclesia in Philemon’s house cf Philem 1:2.
V18 Although Tychicus and Onesimus were Paul’s amanuenses, Paul closes off by proving his words to be his, by stating he penned the salutation. Paul was under house arrest in Rome and asked for the readers of his epistle to remember him in prayer, and as is usual of his epistles, wished grace upon them, Amen