Colossians 4:2-18

Prayer and People Commended

Colossians 4:2-18

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 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 the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances 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 fellow 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 vouch for 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 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 work you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.   Colossians 4:2-18 (NIV)

V 2:

Paul begins our Scripture for today by emphasizing the importance of persistent prayer.  Devote means to endure, remain steadfast.  Paul not only practiced a mature prayer life but he here also prescribes it for all believers.  They are persist and continue in prayer.  Paul is persistent in his prescription as evidenced in the below Scriptures:

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.   Romans 12:12 (NIV)

17 pray continually;   1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

We are to continue in prayer to God for wisdom, guidance and strength maintaining a continuous fellowship with Him as much as possible in the midst of our daily living in which concentration is frequently broken.  As we continually draw upon Him we quickly come to the realization that He is oxygen for our souls – peace amidst our chaos – strength for our weariness and comfort for our sorrows and hurts.  Prayer is not a spiritual luxury; it is essential for our growth.  It is vital to one’s spiritual health as breathing is to one’s physical health – Billy Graham story.  Prayer is to be continual not cavalier and random rather constant.     

“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that prayer malfunctions when we try to make it a domestic intercom to call upstairs for more comforts in the den. God has given prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ advances in the world. Prayer gives us_ the significance of frontline forces and gives God _the glory of a limitless Provider. The one who gives the power gets the glory. Thus, prayer safeguards the supremacy of God in missions while linking us with endless grace for every need.”  John Piper

“Our attitude of surrender and dependence upon God is best evidenced by our prayer life.”  Chip Ingram

“In believing prayer, we learn to connect our present troubles to the good and perfect will of God.  We refuse to believe that chance rules our lives.  We withstand the temptation to imagine that God is capricious or malicious.  We know he has a higher purpose and that he is not dealing with us as our sins deserve.  As we bring our troubles to Jesus in prayer—asking his will to be done—we approve the will of our Father in heaven. We see our sufferings in the greater reality of his good, acceptable, and perfect will.  In prayer we “turn crisis to Christ.”  Our heart becomes tuned to his heart and we sing the song of grace.”   Ancient Prayer, John F. Smed 

Paul adds we are to be both watchful and thankful in our prayers.  Watchful against spiritual drowsiness caused by worldliness and/or by the wiles of the evil one.  It denotes the attention to God’s revelation; a mindfulness of threatening dangers which with constant earnestness and an alert mind, keeps one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.  The Lord demands our constant watching and preparation for the decisive day of His appearing.  This is the equivalent to “be ready”:

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.   1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.  Acts 20:29-31 (NIV)

6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.   1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.   1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

We are also to be thankful in all things.  Thankfulness should always accompany prayer as it places the believer in the proper attitude before God.  Gratitude is well pleasing to our Father:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Read Chris Tiegreen (1) – Bare Longings

21 Most Effectual Prayers of the Bible (2) – David Jeremiah quote page 132

V 3-4:

“Pray for us” was a request Paul often made of his readers:

30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.   Romans 15:30 (NIV)

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.   Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.   2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Paul was not praying for more “comforts in the den” so to speak.  His was not a selfish request rather it was for an open door through which he could clearly minister the Gospel message – the mystery of Christ for which he was presently chained.  He desired not only an opportunity to preach but also for clarity in his preaching.  “Proclaim” means to talk much and “mystery” is a divine secret – not that it is baffling or difficult to understand but yet undivulged – represents what is hidden, unrevealed or unknown.  It was as if he were telling them “don’t forget about us when you are praying for yourselves”.  His desire was to preach the Gospel with ability, courage and without fear.  Earlier in Chapter One Paul had been particular in telling them what he prayed for on their behalf and here he tells them particularly what he would have them pray on his behalf.     

V 5-6:

Completion or growing-up in Christ includes not only one’s private prayer life but also one’s public life.  No man will attempt to do much good to others whose own life is not upright.  Men of the world judge Christianity, not from the profession, but from the actions of those professing faith.  They judge from our conduct rather than our words and rightly so.  Why should they want what we are unwilling to own ourselves?  It is a vain endeavor for us to lead one to Christ if our lives are not seeking to walk in the way of wisdom.   To perfect this dimension of one’s life in Christ, Paul told believers to be wise in the way they act.  This wisdom – which is God’s NOT man’s is to be evident to outsiders, that is those outside the “household of faith”.  Paul exhorts them to a prudent conduct towards the pagan world among whom they lived.  They were to do nothing that would increase prejudice against the faith.  

Read Chip Ingram’s Practices For Gaining Perspective (3)

Wisdom is faith demonstrated.  Our soul is to show that it is under the influence of love to the Redeemer:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.   James 3:13 (NIV)

11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.   1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)

Wisdom indicates skill, tact, aptitude and expertise.  It is done through Christ’s power within us – NOT in the flesh.  Flesh will fail every time.  We are also to make the most of every opportunity afforded to us by God.  Nothing is random or happenstance in life – we are to keep alert and vigilant towards God’s will – not missing the opportunity He sets forth for us to bring Him glory and us much good. 
Read Omar L. Hamada (4)

We are to invest (literally “buy up”) the time rather than spend it being ready “in season” and “out of season” to proclaim Christ:

15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.   Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.   2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

In addition, our conversation is to be full of grace (literally “in” grace – that which causes pleasure, that which creates delight in the recipient or observer) and “seasoned with salt” (pure, penetrating, causing thirst and preservative).  Grace is the salt that seasons our words and keeps them from corruption.  We need a great deal of wisdom and grace to have proper responses to every man, particularly in answering the questions and objections of adversaries against our faith, giving the reasons for our faith.  In this way we are ready to answer everyone who asks “the reason for the hope” within us:

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.   1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

V 7-9:

Paul set out an example for mature interpersonal relations.  Faithfulness in any brother or sister is truly lovely and renders them worthy of our affection and esteem.  It is a great comfort to have the mutual concern of fellow Christians.   Besides remembering his friends and companions, he expressed genuine concern for them:

1. Tychicus – (a leader in the church and the bearer of this letter) was a dear brother and faithful minister (lit. servant) and fellow servant (lit. slave) with Paul in the ministry.  Paul sent him to Colossae for the express purpose of informing them about his state of affairs to encourage (lit. comfort and exhort) them.  This was certainly an act of self-denial as I am confident Paul would have missed him greatly.  

2.  Onesimus (converted runaway slave of Philemon) was also a faithful and dear brother to Paul and a fellow Colossian.  He was to accompany Tychicus to also report of Paul’s circumstances.  Again, Paul requests these faithful servants to go and encourage others leaving him behind and perhaps even alone.

V 10:

3.  Aristarchus was a Thessalonian who accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey.  Being a fellow prisoner meant either that Aristarchus attended Paul or more likely that he was incarcerated with Paul (probably also for preaching the Gospel) as Paul called him a fellow worker.

4.  Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) was a companion on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 12:25).  Though Mark deserted Paul on this first journey, Barnabas stepped in against Paul’s wishes and took Mark with him.  If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not be always remembered against them.  We must forget as well as forgive.  Paul now commends him as he did later as well in 2 Timothy 4:11 and tells them to welcome him.  Mark was later Peter’s associate and calls him “my son” in 1 Peter 5:13.  This serves as an encouragement for those of us who mess up – it’s not over until it’s over!

V 11:

Jesus, who is called Justus (“Righteous”) which was a common Jewish name btw, is next mentioned.  These three, Aristarchus, Mark and Justus were Jews either by birth or conversion and were fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who comforted and consoled Paul by their loving loyalty to him.  Comfort is the unusual Greek word “paregoria” meaning relief, consolation – found only here in the New Testament.

V 12-13:

Epaphras, like Onesimus was a Colossian whom Paul depicted as a servant of Christ Jesus who was always wrestling (lit. a contest, conflict, to fight in a contest, struggle in competition, and engage in a dreadful battle or a strenuous endeavor.  The notion of overcoming or defeating an opponent is often prominent; the word envisions combatants pitted against each other fighting for victory) in prayer for the Church at Colossae – as Jacob did with the angel in Genesis 32.  His great concern was that the Colossians would stand firm in all the will of God, mature (“perfected”) and fully assured.  He had a great desire to promote their welfare.  We must be earnest in prayer not only for ourselves but for others also.  As Paul states in Romans, Epaphras was confident – it is not about us it is all about Him:
    
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.   Romans 4:21 (NIV)

Stand and fill are two wonderful words for us to ponder.  Jesus causes us to stand because He is faithful and able to cause us to stand and He fills us to overflowing with His Spirit.  This fits the overall theme of Colossians that believer’s be mature, perfected in Christ.  Epaphras prayerful concern went to the point of working hard (lit. “has much pain”; “pain or distress”) – interestingly it is used only here and in Revelation 16:10-11: 
       
10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.   Rev 16:10-11 (NIV)

His painful labor included all the believers in the Lycus Valley – Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis.

V 14:

Luke, Paul’s dear friend and doctor stood firmly by him not only in this imprisonment but in a later imprisonment as well by which time Demas had deserted him (2 Timothy 4:10).  We are to finish well – not turn back.  The world is full of the faithless – those who turn away and do not complete what they begin.   Thankfully, Luke is different.  He is the author of the third Gospel as well as of Acts.

V 15:

Here Paul requests that his greeting be given to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha in whose house the church met.

V16:

Paul urges an exchange of the Epistles.  Once they had read Colossians they should send it to Laodicea and in turn receive the one from Laodicea.  This “Laodicea letter” could possibly be the letter to the Ephesians which was written about that same time and sent to the same general vicinity.

V 17:

Archippus was ministering in Colossae possibly in Epaphras’ absence.  Paul exhorts his readers to tell him to “see to it” (“look out”) that he complete the work (“the ministry”) God had given him.  Whatever his problem, he was not fulfilling (completing) his work.  The ministry we have received from the Lord is a great honor – we are to finish the work.  This stands as another concern that the Colossians be made complete in Christ.   

V 18:

As was Paul’s custom and sign of authenticity, he signed a greeting with his own hand.  He then asked the readers to remember (in prayerful support) his imprisonment (chains).  As with so many of his Epistles, his closing was a benediction, a prayer that God’s grace be with them.

These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.