A Request for Prayer: the Need of Wisdom. The Colossians must persevere in prayer and be vigilant therein with thanksgiving; at the same time praying for Paul and His companions that God may open for them a door of opportunity for the preaching of the word and the proclamation of the mystery of Christ the mystery for the sake of which Paul is in prison that he may make manifest its hitherto hidden truth by preaching of the right kind. In relation to non-Christians, they are to walk wisely, buying up opportunities as they arise; their speech should be always courteous, and seasoned with the salt of a shrewdness which will know how to accommodate itself to individuals severally.
Colossians 4:3. a door: cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12.
Colossians 4:4. The preaching of the gospel is the manifestation of a mystery.
Colossians 4:5. redeeming the time: Ephesians 5:16 *.