PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| UBS4 | NRSV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| Exhortations | Christian Graces | The Christian’s Duties | Instructions | Apostolic Spirit |
| (3:18-4:6) | ||||
| 4:2-6 | 4:2-6 | 4:2-4 | 4:2-4 | 4:2-4 |
| 4:5-6 | 4:5-6 | 4:5-6 | ||
| Final Greetings | Final Greetings | Epilogue | Final Greetings | Personal News |
| 4:7-9 | 4:7-15 | 4:7-9 | 4:7-9 | 4:7-9 |
| Greeting and Final Wishes | ||||
| 4:10-27 | 4:10-17 | 4:10-11 | 4:10-14 | |
| 4:12-14 | ||||
| Closing Exhortations and Blessing |
4:15-17 | 4:15-17 | ||
| 4:16-18 | ||||
| 4:18 | 4:18 | 4:18a | 4:18 | |
| 4:18b |
READING CYCLE THREE (from “A
Guide to Good Bible Reading“)
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means
that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us
must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority
in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject
divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but
it is the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of
interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:2-4
2Devote yourselves to
prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying
at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the
word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also
been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to
speak.
4:2
NASB, NRSV“devote yourselves to
prayer”
NKJV“continue earnestly in prayer”
TEV“be persistent in prayer”
NJB“be persevering in your prayers”
This is a present active imperative, “continue to
devote yourselves to prayer.” Prayer is not optional. Prayer is crucial for
effective Christian living and ministry (cf. Eph. 6:18-19; Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:6;
I Thess. 5:17). If Jesus, being God incarnate, was characterized by both public
and private prayer, how much more do believers need to pray for the gospel, for
themselves, and for one another? See Special Topic: Effective Prayer at Eph.
6:19.
NASB, NRSV,
TEV“keeping alert”
NKJV“being vigilant”
NJB“stay awake”
This is a present active participle functioning as an
imperative. Prayer takes planning, persistence, and vigilance. It needs
to become a lifestyle, not an event.
▣ “thanksgiving” Notice the three aspects of prayer
in v. 2. Also, remember Paul was imprisoned, yet this letter emphasizes
“thanksgiving” (cf. 1:3,12; 2:7; 3:15-17; 4:2). Biblical truth (worldview)
radically change ones perspective on life (cf. Rom. 8:31-39). Thanksgiving is a
characteristic of a Spirit-filled life (cf. Eph. 5:20; I Thess. 5:18).
4:3 “praying at the same time for us” Paul needed
intercessory prayer. In verses 3 and 4 (cf. Eph. 6:19-20), he prays for three
things related to his preaching the gospel.
1. an open door to preach (cf. Acts 14:27; I Cor. 16:9; II Cor.
2:12; Rev. 3:8)
2. an ability to explain the mystery of the gospel
3. the ability to speak the gospel clearly
SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER
▣ “that God will open up to us a door for the word”
See Special Topic following.
SPECIAL TOPIC: USE OF THE WORD “DOOR” IN THE NT
▣ “the mystery of Christ” See note at 2:2 and Special
Topic at Eph. 3:3.
▣ “for which I have also been imprisoned” If current
scholarship is correct Paul was imprisoned in Rome in the early
a.d. 60’s (cf. 4:18). Paul was not in Rome nor on trial before Caesar by
accident! This was predicted at his conversion (cf. Acts 9:15-16; Phil. 1:13).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:5-6
5Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,
making the most of the opportunity. 6Let your speech always be with
grace, as though seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you will know
how you should respond to each person.
4:5-6 These two verses relate to evangelism.
Believers are to live in such a way that non-believers are (1) not turned off,
but (2) attracted. Every believer is to be a verbal witness and a lifestyle
witness (cf. I Pet. 3:15)!
4:5
NASB “Conduct yourselves with
wisdom”
NKJV“walk in wisdom”
NRSV“conduct yourselves wisely”
TEV“Be wise in the way you act”
NJB“Act wisely”
This is another present active imperative, “always
conduct yourselves with wisdom.” Believers are to be intentional evangelists.
Evangelism is God’s will for the church (cf. Matt. 28:19-20). Every believer is
a full time minister of the gospel (cf. Eph. 4:11-12).
NASB “making the most of the
opportunity’
NKJV“redeeming the time”
NRSV“making the most of the time”
TEV“making good use of every opportunity you have”
NJB“making the best of the present time”
This is a present middle participle. This was the
term (exagorazō) used to describe redemption (cf. Gal. 3:13; 4:5). It had
an OT connotation of buying someone back from slavery, even sometimes the
personal agency of a near relative (go’el). It was used metaphorically of
making the most of an opportunity by buying something at a good price or at an
appropriate time (cf. Eph. 5:16).
Believers must live godly lives and use godly wisdom so that when
evangelistic and spiritual opportunities come they can take full advantage of
them!
4:6 “speech. . .seasoned. . .with salt” Believers
must watch their speech (cf. Eph. 4:29). They are known by their words (cf.
Matt. 15:1-20; Mark 7:2-23) and judged by their words (cf. Matt. 12:33-37; Luke
6:39-45). Our speech and our lives will open opportunities for witnessing!
Intention, not which evangelistic methodology one chooses to use, is the key.
Prayer, not perfect presentation, is crucial. Wisdom is helpful but the Spirit
is the determinative factor! See Special Topic: Human Speech at 3:10.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:7-9
7As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our
beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will
bring you information. 8For I have sent him to you for this
very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may
encourage your hearts; 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful
and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you
about the whole situation here.
4:7-8 “Tychicus” Paul mentions Tychicus several times
(cf. Acts 20:4; Eph. 6:21; II Tim. 4:12 and Titus 3:12). He was the bearer of
this letter, and also of Ephesians and Philemon. Paul sent him to explain his
circumstances to the churches of Asia Minor so that they might know how better
to pray for him and rejoice with him (cf. 4:8 and introduction).
4:8 “hearts” See Special Topic at 2:2.
4:9 “Onesimus” Onesimus was a runaway slave converted
in prison by Paul. Paul sent him back to his Christian master, Philemon, who
lived in Colossae and was well known to Paul (cf. Philemon). In many ways this
tension between slave and free was an effective test of genuine Christian love.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:10-17
10Aristarchus, my fellow
prisoner, sends you his greetings; and
also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he
comes to you, welcome him); 11and also Jesus who is called
Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from
the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12Epaphras,
who is one of your number, a bond slave of Jesus Christ, sends you his
greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand
perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for
him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and
Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings,
and also Demas. 15Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and
also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16When this letter
is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you,
for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17Say
to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord,
that you may fulfill it.”
4:10-14 Timothy and six other co-workers sent their
personal greetings to the church. Six of these seven co-workers are also
mentioned in Philemon. Tychicus was probably the bearer of the letters of
Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon to Asia Minor.
4:10 “Aristarchus” A Jewish Christian about whom we
know little (cf. Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2).
▣ “my fellow prisoner” This refers either
metaphorically to Christian service or literally to imprisonment (cf. Rom. 16:7;
Philemon 23).
▣ “Mark, the cousin of Barnabas” John Mark’s home may
have been the site of the Lord’s Supper and Upper Room post-resurrection
appearances of Jesus (cf. Acts 12:12). He was the writer of the Gospel of Mark
and the friend and scribe of Peter (cf. I Pet. 5:13). He was the cause of a
great disagreement between Barnabas and Paul after their first missionary
journey (cf. Acts 12:25; 13:5; 15:36-39).
▣ “if he comes to you, welcome him” This is a
third class conditional sentence. Paul was very angry with John Mark for
leaving the first mission team. However, they apparently reconciled (cf. II Tim.
4:11).
4:11 “Jesus who is called Justus” The TEV has
“Joshua.” “Jesus” and “Joshua” are derived from the Hebrew terms “YHWH” and
“salvation” and are the same in Hebrew (cf. Matt. 1:21). This Justus is known to
God, but unknown to us.
▣ “the kingdom of God” This is such a key phrase in
the Synoptic Gospels (see Special Topic at Eph. 5:5). Jesus’ first and last
sermons, and most of His parables, dealt with this topic. It refers to the reign
of God in human hearts now. It is surprising that John uses this phrase only
twice (and never in Jesus’ parables). In John’s Gospel “eternal life” is a key
term and metaphor.
The phrase relates to the eschatological (end-time) thrust of Jesus’
teachings. This “already, but not yet” theological paradox relates to the Jewish
concept of two ages, the current evil age and the righteous age to come, which
will be inaugurated by the Messiah. The Jews expected only one coming of a
Spirit-empowered military leader (like the Judges in the OT). The two comings of
Jesus caused an overlapping of the two ages. The Kingdom of God has broken into
human history with the incarnation at Bethlehem. However, Jesus came, not as the
military conqueror of Revelation 19, but as the Suffering Servant (cf. Isaiah
53) and humble leader (cf. Zech. 9:9). The Kingdom, therefore, is inaugurated
(cf. Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; 11:12; 12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 9:9,11; 11:20;
21:31-32), but not consummated (cf. Matt. 6:10; 16:28; 26:64).
Believers live in the tension between these two ages. They have resurrection
life, but they still are dying physically. They are freed from the power of sin,
yet they still sin. They live in the eschatological tension of the already and
the not yet!
▣ “from the circumcision” The men listed in vv. 7-11
were all Jewish believers (according to their names).
▣ “they have proved to be an encouragement to me” The
term literally means “relief of pain.” This Greek word is the source of the
English medicine “paregoric.”
4:12 “Epaphras” He was founder of the church at
Colossae (cf. 1:7 and introduction).
▣ “always laboring earnestly for you” This is a
strong athletic term which comes into English as “agony.” Epaphras was a prayer
warrior (cf. v. 13). His prayer for these believers was that they (1) stand, (2)
mature, and (3) be assured in all the will of God.
4:13 “Laodicea and Hierapolis” These were the other
two towns (along with Colossae) of the Lycus valley in which Epaphras had
started three churches.
4:14 “Luke” He was Paul’s close missionary companion
and physician. He was a Gentile and the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts.
▣ “Demas” Later he would desert Paul (cf. II Tim.
4:10).
4:15 “Nympha” This can be either
masculine or feminine. Notice the early church
met in private homes (cf. Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:19; Philemon 2).
4:16 “when this letter is read among you” All of
Paul’s letters, not just Ephesians (a circular letter), were passed around from
church to church and read aloud to the whole congregation. The churches believed
that the Apostles had a unique, inspired word from God. Their desire to hear all
of Paul’s letters written to other churches, and on other occasions, shows how
the Bible relates to everyone and every age.
▣ “read my letter that is coming from Laodicea”
This letter was probably “Ephesians” which was a circular letter. In Marcion’s
Canon, Ephesians was called “the letter to the Laodiceans.” No early church
father ever quotes from a letter known as the letter to the Laodiceans.
4:17 “Archippas” Archippas was the pastor of the
house-church (Philemon 2). The early leadership positions were functions
performed by local gifted believers, not vocations or offices.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:18
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.
4:18 “in my own hand” This was Paul’s way of assuring
the genuineness of his writings (cf. II Thess. 2:2; 3:17). This also implies
that he regularly employed a scribe (cf. Rom. 16:22), probably because of his
eye problems (cf. Acts 9:8-9,12,18; Gal. 4:15; 6:11), which I believe was his
“thorn in the flesh.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide
commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of
the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the
Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a
commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you
think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be
thought provoking, not definitive.
1. List
the three aspects of prayer in vv. 2-3.
2. List the four aspects of the Christian life
in vv. 5-6.
3. Discuss the individuals mentioned in vv.
7-14.
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Bible Lessons International