We must pray more. Our lives cannot maintain the Godward attitude without prolonged seasons of communication with Him through the Word. This is so important that we must be ever on the watch against whatever might mar the life of devotion. Intercession will often unlock frost-bitten lips and make our souls glow. Withal praying also for us. If we are shut in and cannot perform active service, we can surely pray for those who are entrusted with the mystery of Christ; and let those who are called to active service be ready to step in when God opens the door, Colossians 4:3. The limitations of life are no excuse for idleness, Colossians 4:4.
It is not easy to walk in wisdom towards those that are without. But God will teach us how to buy up opportunities and crowd each of them with good service. Our talk may sparkle like salt and purify as it does. Paul bound his fellow-workers to himself by the high estimate he placed on them. Love idealizes. Probably we should have thought some of these men to be very ordinary, but the Apostle saw them in hues borrowed from his own heart. Onesimus, a runaway slave, recently converted, is described as a faithful and beloved brother! [source]
Chapter Summary: Colossians 4
1He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer; 5to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ 10He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity
Greek Commentary for Colossians 4:4
As I ought to speak [ως δει με λαλησαι] Wonderful as Paul‘s preaching was to his hearers and seems to us, he was never satisfied with it. What preacher can be? [source]
That I may make it manifest [ἵνα φανερώσω] Compare speak boldly, Ephesians 6:20. That connects with the clause that God-Christ. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 4:4
3 John 1:12Demetrius hath the witness of all men [Δημητριωι μεμαρτυρηται υπο παντων] Perfect passive indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō “it has been witnessed to Demetrius (dative case) by all.” We know nothing else about him, unless, as is unlikely, he be identified with Demas as a shortened form (Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:4; 2 Timothy 4:10), who has come back after his desertion or with the Ephesian silversmith (Acts 19:21.), who may have been converted under John‘s ministry, which one would like to believe, though there is no evidence for it. He may indeed be the bearer of this letter from Ephesus to Gaius and may also have come under suspicion for some reason and hence John‘s warm commendation. [source]
What do the individual words in Colossians 4:4 mean?
so thatI should make clearitasit behoovesmeto speak
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: φανερόω
Sense: to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way.
Greek Commentary for Colossians 4:4
Wonderful as Paul‘s preaching was to his hearers and seems to us, he was never satisfied with it. What preacher can be? [source]
Compare speak boldly, Ephesians 6:20. That connects with the clause that God-Christ. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Colossians 4:4
In the mystery of the gospel. This is probably a second purpose See note on 1 Thessalonians 2:2. See note on Colossians 4:4 for “as I ought.” [source]
Perfect passive indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō “it has been witnessed to Demetrius (dative case) by all.” We know nothing else about him, unless, as is unlikely, he be identified with Demas as a shortened form (Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:4; 2 Timothy 4:10), who has come back after his desertion or with the Ephesian silversmith (Acts 19:21.), who may have been converted under John‘s ministry, which one would like to believe, though there is no evidence for it. He may indeed be the bearer of this letter from Ephesus to Gaius and may also have come under suspicion for some reason and hence John‘s warm commendation. [source]