Colossians Chapter 4 1~~Management . . . give from your own resources and power to the employees fair treatment and equal wages, knowing that you also have Management in heaven. 2~~ Be devoting yourself to prayer. Constantly being alert by means of the same function of prayer in the sphere of thanksgiving. 3~~Also, at the same time, be praying for us, that the God would open a door of doctrine, to communicate the mystery of the Christ, because of which mystery doctrine, I also have been chained. 4~~In order that I might make known by teaching the same doctrine that I ought to communicate. 5~~Keep walking in wisdom toward the ones outside {unbelievers} and keep purchasing the time   {where they are concerned -- by means of witnessing}. 6~~Your word . . . always in the sphere of grace, having been seasoned with salt . . . so that you may know how you ought to answer each one. {Note: Salt was used in the old days as the sealing of a contract. Most people could not write, so as a sign/symbol of an agreement, the agreeing parties put salt on the contract or covenant meaning the deal was now done!} {Paul writes and his assistant, Tychicus, will carry it to Colossi} 7~~Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord, shall provide information to you all about my situation. 8~~Whom {Tychicus} I have sent face to face with you for this very purpose, that you might know our situation, and also that he might encourage your 'right lobes'/hearts   {with doctrinal teachings}. 9~~Together with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother who is from among you. They {Tychicus and Onesimus} will report to you about my entire situation here. {Note: Onesimus was a run-away slave of Philemon and a thief. Onesimus spent all the stolen money in Rome and remembered Philemon speaking of Paul. He went to see Paul and was taught doctrine for a long period of time and became a Super Grace believer. Now Onesimus is returning to Philemon and that is what the book of Philemon is all about - slavery! - a social evil but not a biblical matter. See also I Corinthians 7:21 for more on the the Biblical viewpoint of the slave/free class distinction.} 10~~Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you . . . also Mark {John Mark}, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom {Mark} you have received orders namely if he comes to you - maybe he will, maybe he will not come - receive him. {Note: In Acts, Mark failed Paul and Paul failed to show him grace. Barnabas took Mark with him. Now Paul is admitting he was wrong in not forgiving Mark. Mark becomes a great leader of the Church and the human author of the gospel of Mark - possibly as Peter's secretary.} {Jewish Mature believers with Paul in Rome} 11~~ Also Joshua, who is called 'the Justice'   {his occupation - was Paul's lawyer in Roman court} . . . these are from the circumcision   {Jews by race- and only 3 would stand by Paul}. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God who are of such a character . . . who have been a comfort to me. {Now the Gentile believers with Paul in Rome} 12~~ Epaphras, who is one of you, a bond servant of Christ, salutes you. At all times, he is competing on your behalf my means of his prayers, in order that you mature ones may hold your ground . . . also complete . . . having been completely filled up by all doctrine which is willed from our God. 13~~ For I {Paul} testify with reference to the same one {Epaphras}, that he keeps having much pain or distress on your behalf, also those that are in Laodicea, also those at Hierapolis. 14~~ Luke, the beloved physician, salutes you, and also Demas {short for Demetrius}. {The epistle to the Laodicean . . . starts here and ends with a passage from Jesus in the Book of Revelation} 15~~ 'Send greetings to'/salute the ones in Laodicea, and Nymphas  {the elect lady, a tremendous super grace female believer   mentioned also in II John}, and the church which is in her home. {Note: Churches met in many homes at this time, like Philemon's in Colossi}. 16~~And when this epistle {Colossians} has been taught exegetical in your presence, execute the following command in order that it may be taught {verse by verse} exegetically in the church of the Laodiceans. And that one from Laodicea {the Book of Ephesians} circulate It. In order that it {book of Ephesians} also might be taught exegetically. {Note: Colossians are to study this part of the epistle also - and better transcripts of the bible show that Ephesians was originally addressed to all the believers in the Laodicean valley which included the Colossians and not just the Ephesians. The objective of this verse is to say all the epistles were for all Church age believers - not just the ones to whom they were addressed.} 17~~Command Archippus, "Pay attention to YOUR ministry which you have taken over because of the Lord, that you fulfill that same ministry!" {Note: Archippus was the pastor at Laodicea who was not teaching bible doctrine. Paul was commanding Archippus to get off his butt and start teaching doctrine! To fulfill here actually means to fill with quality to the TOP - pleroo - same derivative of Pleroma - another name for the Church Age the Dispensation of Pleroma Tu Theo -- The Fullness from the source of God!} 18~~ The salutation from Paul with my own hand, "Keep remembering my chains {command to keep praying}." The Grace . . . {be} with you. Amen/'I believe it'!" {Note: Jesus Christ, the Amen, had more to say to the Church at Laodicea. See Revelation Chapter 3: 14-22} ************************************************** Joshua_Sozo™ and Syndein ™ are the Trademarks of Syndein a California DBA of Kenneth Sidley & Associates, Inc., a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright© Syndein 1982-2010. All rights reserved. This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. Please call Ken for high quality, low cost CPA services in Orange County California. 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