COLOSSIANS - CHAPTER 4 (PAUL) "PRAY FOR US"
COLOSSIANS – CHAPTER 4
(PAUL) “PRAY FOR US”
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
October 1, 2024, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Col. 4:1-3: Masters, give your bond servants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.
The mystery of Christ is mentioned by Paul in six of his epistles. It is mentioned 22 times in the New testament and 4 times in the letter to the Colossians.
First by Jesus in Mark 4:11: Jesus said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables.”
1 Co. 2:7: We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory…
Eh. 6:19: And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
Col. 1:26-27: The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of his mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col. 2:2: That their hearts may be encouraged; being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
Col. 4:3: Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.
That should be a prayer of all Christians, that the God will open to us a door to preach the Gospel. I pray for each person in this church who is seasoned in Word and Prayer that all become a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to you by the effective working of His power. (Eph. 3:7)
Paul says pray for me:
Col. 4: 4: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
As I ought to speak, puts pressure on our tongue.
Prov. 15:26: The words of the pure are pleasant.
Prov. 16:24: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb; sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Prov. 22:21: That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth…
Prov. 25:11: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Col. 4: 5-6: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
“Jesus told his disciples that they were to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Both salt and light function as active agents upon their circumstances. Salt acts as a preservative and light acts to transform the darkness. So, too, the believer is not to be in the world or in any circumstance without in some way, impacting and transforming it.
The Scripture charges the righteous to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with the good. So, it was for the infant church who against all odds, prevailed against all opposition and persecution and overcame an empire.
We are to live as agents of heaven on earth--- because we are.” (Cahn)
Paul’s final greetings in Colossians mentions men who we met in our study of Acts and the series on Paul’s Last Seven Years. The letter to the Colossians was written in 61-62 A.D. during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome (around the same time he wrote his epistles to the Ephesians and Philippians). The letter was written to the house church in Colosse after he had received a report, they were struggling with heresy denying the deity of Jesus Christ.
As he is affirming the deity of Christ, the apostle Paul describes Jesus with some of the loftiest language in all the New Testament, focusing on Christ’s preeminence and sufficiency in all things.
Col. 1: 16-17: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Col. 2:9: For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
TYCHICUS- Col. 4:7-8: a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts.
Tychicus– from Asia. Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament. In Eph. 6:21, Paul calls him a “dear brother and faithful servant of the Lord.” In Colossians he says he is “a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” In both Ephesians and Colossians, Paul indicates he is sending Tychicus to the Christians to whom he is writing. Titus 3:12 and 2 Timothy show that Tychicus was with Paul after the appeal to the emperor which resulted in the apostle regaining his freedom. Paul sends him to Crete to relieve Titus so Titus would be free to come be with the apostle at Nicopolis. Last in 2 Timothy, which was written in Rome not long before Paul’s execution. To the last, Tychicus was serviceable as ever. He sent Tychicus to relieve Timothy so he could rejoin Paul at Rome. He was a chosen vessel to carry Paul’s letters.
The letter to Philemon was written as a cover-letter to the Epistle to the Colossians. It was delivered by Tychicus and Onesimus to Philemon.
ONESIMUS- Col. 4:9: With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
You will remember I did a teaching on Onesimus in 2015 and 2022.
(6/16/2015) as I was preaching this, the Holy Spirit began to weep through me. The tenderness, love, duty and selflessness demonstrated by Paul on behalf of Onesimus; but also, the respect and honor shown to Philemon is a demonstration of the power of the love of God.
Onesimus, a slave of Philemon in Colossae fled to Rome reimbursing himself at his master’s expense. There, meeting Paul, whether by deliberate choice in seeking help, or by providence, he was converted.
With great joy Paul writes to Philemon. All the grace and loveliness of a manly soul breathes through this little letter beseeching Philemon to place to his account, as partner, anything which Onesimus (once servant, now a brother) might be indebted.
Onesimus means “useful” or “profitable.” “In times past to you unprofitable, but now profitable to you and to me” (Ph. 1:11).
Onesimus stood as a slave in his relation to Philemon. The innate yearning for independence and liberty motivated him to desert his master, and worse robbed him.
In the case of Onesimus, we see the power of the Gospel to reclaim the most worthless and degraded with the love of Christ which can never be understood except by those who have been redeemed by it.
Rome both from its magnitude and dense population would be the best place for a fugitive to conceal himself. The slave of Colosse would most probably have plunged into the lowest abyss of society. He was an outlaw alike from God and man.
The word does not tell us how he came to Paul, but to Paul he did come. Governments of all nations in those days gave their masters unlimited power over the slaves----even to the loss of life.
Onesimus, in course of time, under Paul’s teaching and training became far more than a convert. The once runaway slave has been transformed into a lowly friend and fellow-helper. We know from Paul’s words, that the Lord had not only saved him, but obviously called him and set him apart for the work of the ministry.
Let us perceive the depth of Paul’s unselfishness in this letter to Philemon. He defends Onesimus not only with a personal appreciation, as a monument of the grace of God, but as one called and set aside to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
He was such a help to Paul that the apostle says that it is a great sacrifice to send him back to his master. But duty was ever paramount with Paul and personal considerations secondary. He can make no selfish claim to retaining services so valuable until he gets the sanctions from Philemon.
In a spirit of noble self-denial and deference for the rights of others, he surrenders his own wishes and claims. The journey is a long one and will take several months. But there can be no deflection from the path of duty and honorable obligation.
Onesimus must personally go back to Philemon. He must confront his old master face to face. If he returns to Rome, he must do so with Philemon’s full approval.
With this letter in hand, Onesimus proceeds to Colosse. They were now children of a common Father---members of one spiritual brotherhood.
Visitation: “On Monday evening (6/15/2015) after finishing this study of several hours, I was greatly blessed by the preparation of the study and deeply moved by the Holy Spirit. It was late when I finished, so I went straight to bed. As I began to drift off to sleep, but was still awake, I had a mini-vision of what I believe to be the angel of Onesimus. For those of you who may be skeptical, it could not have been a familiar spirit or an evil spirit. I had been for many hours praying and in the Word of God. The Word of God had taken me high into the Spirit. His appearance was Arabic with black hair and brown eyes. He was muscular and stocky. His attire was similar to a Roman soldier or perhaps a slave. However, his nationality would have been Asia Minor as he was from Colosse.
The character of Paul’s greatness is revealed in his ministry to Onesimus. “The people of God must free themselves from living by the dictates of self-interest and survival. We must live for what is greater. Only then will mankind live a life of greatness.” (paraphrased from J. Cahn).
Aristarchus, who is here in the prison with me, sends his greetings. So does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. You have already received instructions from me that he is to get a hearty welcome should he come your way. Jesus, the one they call Justus, sends his love too. Of all the Jewish Christians here, only these three are actually working with me. But oh, what a help they have been!
Col. 4:10: Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you,
Aristarchus… of the Thessalonians – Aristarchus accompanied Paul on his journey to Rome. Along with Gaius, Aristarchus was seized by the mob at Ephesus and taken into the theater (Acts 19). We can say that he and Gaius went to jail to cover for Paul. Later he returned with Paul from Greece to Asia. At Caesarea, he embarked with Paul on a ship from Edremit bound for Myra in Lycia. He is described as Paul’s “fellow prisoner” (Col. 4:10) and “fellow laborer”(Philemon 1:24).
Col. 4: 10: …with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions. If he comes to you, welcome him).
Mark the Evangelist is well known to us. He was one of Christ’s 70 disciples, one of the four evangelists and the author of the second gospel, the Book of Mark. He was born in Cyrene, Libya. He traveled with Barnabas and Paul on many religious missions. He founded the Church of Alexandria, Egypt. He died April 25, 68 A.D.in Alexandria, Egypt. In the 9th century his relics were relocated to Venice.
John Mark was the point of contention between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas went with Mark to Cyprus and Paul continued with Silas to Syria and Cilicia (Acts. 15:35-39)
Mark’s reconciliation with Paul is noted in his letter to the Colossians.
Col. 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
Jesus Justus is not the same Justus as mentioned in two more accounts. I have not been able research him.
Col. 4:12-15: Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician and Demas Greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
Epaphras is commended in Col. 1:7 and Phm. 1:23 as a dear fellow servant; a faithful minister of Christ; a servant of Christ; laboring fervently for the Colossians in prayer; and a fellow prisoner.
Of Demas, who has not yet defaulted, little is known, but note there is absence of any praise or recognition other than his presence with the ministers.
Dr. Luke, we know very well and one of the four evangelists. He wrote both the gospel of Luke and Acts of the apostles. He traveled with Paul and is part of Paul’s ministry team in Ephesus as well as with him in Rome.
4: 16-118: When this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” This salutation by my own hand--- Paul remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Paul refers to a letter to the church of Laodicea. This letter is no longer in existence. Nothing is known about it except that it is lost. Paul wrote other letters which we do not have today.
Verse 17 is his words for Archippus, “Treasure the ministry God has given you. It is most urgent that you do your best to fulfill it.”
Archippus is mentioned in Philemon 1:3 that he and Apphia host a church in their home. From this, we can concur the ministry responsibility had been mandated to Archippus and Paul was exhorting him to be faithful. According to the the 4th century Apostolic constitutions, Archippus was the first bishop of Laodicea in Phrygia (now part of Turkey).
Nine Things in Colossians we are to put on: (Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible)
1. The new man
2. Bowels of mercies
3. Kindness
4. Humbleness of mind
5. Meekness
6. Longsuffering
7. Forbearance
8. Divine love
32 Things Paul charges Christians to do:
1. Walk as when we received Christ.
2. Be rooted in Christ.
3. Be built up in Christ.
4. Be established in the faith.
5. Abound in the faith.
6. Be joyful in the faith.
7. Beware of deception.
8. Let no man judge you’re eating.
9. Let none judge your drinking.
10. Let no man judge your Holy days, new moons, festivals, and Sabbaths.
11. Live dead to the world and all its sinful ways.
12. Seek things above.
13. Set affection above.
14. Mortify members on earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness which is idolatry.
15. Put off the old man: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
16. Lie not one to another.
17. Put on the new man.
18. Forbear one another.
19. Forgive one another.
20. Put on divine love.
21. Let God’s peace rule.
22. Be thankful.
23. Let God’s Word dwell in you.
24. Sing with grace.
25. Do all things in Jesus’ name.
26. Give thanks to God.
27. Watch with thanksgiving.
28. Walk in Wisdom
29. Redeem the time.
30. Speak with seasoned grace.
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries Church
10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX 77406
Scripture is from N.K.J.V. I entered into the labors of C.S. Lovett’s Lights on Colossians; Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. Johnathan Cahn, The Josiah Manifesto as noted in quotation; Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.