Colossians 4:2-6

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Scripture Colossians 4:2-6



2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. [1]



Devotion

            As Paul gets ready to close his letter to the Colossians, he makes a prayer request of them. First, he encourages them to be consistent in their prayers. He encourages them to be watchful making note of the times. “The Colossians were to pray with mental alertness. Presumably, this meant that they were to know the circumstances of life, particularly those which affected the spread of the gospel. Informed prayer is likely to be more purposeful, personal, and powerful”.[2] They are also to pray with thanksgiving.  “Thankfulness is the environment for good praying, and it provides a safeguard for informed praying. Paul’s circumstances could have been discouraging as he awaited trial for the gospel. To ensure a proper perspective, Paul urged that their prayer be offered in an attitude of thanks. This kind of prayer sees clearly the obstacles and difficulties but recognizes that God is able to work. The circumstances need not affect one’s joy.”[3]

            Paul then asks directly for the Colossians to pray for him. Paul knows he needs the help of prayer if he is to be witness for the Gospel while he is imprisoned in Rome. Paul speaks of the mystery which refers back to chapter 1 verse 27 “27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”4 Paul asks that the church pray that he may present the Gospel with clarity and purpose. So that the glory of Christ may be revealed to those who hear it in Rome.

            Then Paul encourages the Colossians to walk in the way of wisdom seeking to have their behavior match their words. “At the beginning of the epistle, Paul prayed for the Colossians to know wisdom; here he prayed for them to live it.”[5] Their speech was always to be seasoned with salt. Their speech was to be gracious never harsh seasoned with salt. “Salt had three uses at that time. It could preserve a food, “sterilize” a food (antiseptic), or season a food. Here Paul took the last meaning. Conversation was to be seasoned, i.e., acceptable and inoffensive.”[6]

            Paul closes this letter as he began it with a call to wisdom and Christian virtue. Praying again that they may know how to answer anyone who asks the reason for their hope. Paul urges them to know how to speak and behave so that they bring honor to the name of Christ. And he asks them to pray for him to also have wisdom in his upcoming trial before Caesar. That he may boldly declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 4:2–6.
[2] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 321–322.
[3] Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 322.
4 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 1:27
5 Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 323.
6 Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 325.

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