The big picture
Colossians 4 opens in verse 1 with “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known…”, and closes in verse 18 with “The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.” Repeated or prominent terms include beloved, Laodicea, read, bonds, brother. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Colossians · King James Version · 18Colossians 4:1-6
1–6: Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing…
Colossians 4:1–6 opens with “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a…” and reaches “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers watching in prayer and speaking wisely and graciously with neighbors outside the church; Tychicus and Onesimus carrying news and letters among a network of coworkers and house churches, with particular weight carried by alway, answer, bonds.
Colossians 4:1-6
King James Version1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:7-12
7–12: All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother…
Colossians 4:7–12 opens with “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister…” and reaches “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers watching in prayer and speaking wisely and graciously with neighbors outside the church; Tychicus and Onesimus carrying news and letters among a network of coworkers and house churches, with particular weight carried by beloved, brother, comfort.
Context that brings the passage to life
“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Colossians 4:7-12
King James Version7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.
10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13-18
13–18: For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that…
Colossians 4:13–18 opens with “For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and…” and reaches “The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers watching in prayer and speaking wisely and graciously with neighbors outside the church; Tychicus and Onesimus carrying news and letters among a network of coworkers and house churches, with particular weight carried by Laodicea, read, church.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Colossians 4:13-18
King James Version13For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Colossians 4:1 begins with “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Where the chapter turns
Colossians 4:9 forms a natural hinge: “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.”
The final note
Colossians 4:18 leaves the reader with “The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words beloved, Laodicea, read, bonds, brother, Christ help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What opportunity exists before the murder?
Cain receives a warning and a call to resist sin in verse 7. Anger is not treated as an irresistible excuse.
What do the two speeches about vengeance reveal?
God limits retaliation against Cain; Lamech celebrates escalation.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.