He exhorteth them to be fervent in prayer, to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ: he saluteth them, and wisheth them all prosperity.
Anno Domini 62.
HIS account of relative duties the Apostle finishes in the beginning of this chapter, with a direction to masters to be not only just in maintaining their servants properly, even after they have become incapable of serving them, but also generous in bestowing rewards on such of them as distinguish themselves by their ability and faithfulness, Colossians 4:1. Here the third chapter ought to have ended: or rather at chap. Colossians 3:17.
To render his practical admonitions the more complete, the Apostle recommended to the Colossians perseverance in prayer with due thanksgiving, as the best means of obtaining God's assistance to enable them to fulfil all the duties of life, Colossians 4:2. Next he entreated the Colossians to pray for him, that God would grant him an opportunity to preach the true doctrine of the gospel freely, for which he was in bonds, Colossians 4:3 and courage to preach it in that bold manner, which became him whom Christ had made his apostle to the Gentiles, Colossians 4:4. Then he counselled the brethren to beware of provoking the heathens by any imprudent display of their zeal; but rather, by conducting themselves wisely, to avoid persecution, as far as was consistent with duty, Colossians 4:5 and in particular, when conversing with unbelievers, to make their discourse mild and courteous; but at the same time to season it with the salt of wisdom and truth; that they might be able to answer every person properly, who inquired into the grounds of their faith, Colossians 4:6. And after telling them that he had sent Tychicus and Onesimus to give them an account of his affairs, Colossians 4:7-9 he presented the salutations of the brethren, by name, who were with him, Colossians 4:10-14, and desired them in his name to salute the brethren in Laodicea, Colossians 4:15. Moreover, to convince the Colossians that his doctrine and precepts were every where the same with those contained in this letter, he ordered them, after they had perused it, to take care to have it read in the church of the Laodiceans; and to read in their own church the epistle which was to come to them from Laodicea, supposed by some commentators to be the epistle to the Ephesians; a copy of which, it seems, was to be sent by the Ephesians to Laodicea, for the benefit of all the churches in that neighbourhood, Colossians 4:16. Next he desired themto encourage Archippus in the work of the ministry, Colossians 4:17 then wrote thesalutation with his own hand; and concluded the whole with giving them his apostolical benediction, Colossians 4:18.