The Letter Of St Paul To The Colossians

The Letter Of St. Paul To The Colossians

Introduction • St. Paul concluded chapter 3 with • • instructions to different groups of people The last group was the bondservants So he started chapter 4 by giving instruction to the masters Then he addressed the importance of prayers and keeping the right conduct before those who are from outside The letter is concluded with final greetings

Instructions to Masters (4: 1) He reminds them that they are equal to the bondservants To treat the bondservants as human beings To be just and fair to them To keep in mind that they are also bondservants to the heavenly Master

Prayers (4: 2 -4) Prayers: Be consistent With passion (earnestly) Be vigilant With thanksgiving For others (St. Paul who is chained and the servants) For the Word of God (open the door, uttering the mystery of Christ, manifest it in the right way)

Proper Conduct (4: 5 -6) How we deal with the non-believers: Wisely Redeeming the time (wisdom) Speaking with grace (1 Pet 4: 11) Seasoned with salt (gives taste and preservative) According to the need of the listener

Greetings (4: 7 -14) Tychicus (Acts 20: 4), (Eph 6: 22) and Onesimus (Philemon’s bondservant): The carriers of the letter Sharing with them St. Paul’s news All what is happening in Rome Know their circumstances Comfort your hearts

Greetings (4: 7 -14) His Jewish fellow workers: Aristarchus (Acts 19: 29) Mark (Barnabas’ nephew). Justus They are a comfort to St. Paul His position with St. Mark

Greetings (4: 7 -14) Epaphras: From them, their bishop, bondservant of Christ, who preached Christ to them Laboring fervently for them in prayers to be perfect and complete in ALL the will of God He has a great zeal Luke and Demas (2 Tim 4: 10)

Concluding Remarks (4: 15 -18) Nymphas made his house a church The letter to Laodicea could be the letter to Ephesus Archippus (could be Philemon’s son): Renew your vows and fulfill your ministry He signed the letter with his chained hands

Conclusion How should the masters deal with their bondservants? Why? What are the requirements of the sincere prayer? How should we deal with those who are from outside? What is the message that we get from his final greetings

Conclusion Why did he not mention a word about Demas? What are the qualifications of the true servant?