Paul continues his teachings on Christian living.
An Encouragement for Prayer.
Living wisely among non-believers.
Colossians 4:1-6 NLT
An Encouragement for Prayer
4:1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Examine the Scriptures:
Colossians 4:1-6 NLT
An Encouragement for Prayer
4:1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves.
This verse is a continuation of the theme in verses 18-25 of chapter 3.
Today this addresses employers or those in authority over others.
- Employers, be just and fair to your employees.
Slaves or bondservants made up 1/3 of the population (or more) according to some commentators.
Paul’s words to masters are striking for their time. In a culture where slavery was a normal part of social and economic life. Slaves were often treated as property. It was unusual for a writer to urge masters to consider the wellbeing of their slaves, much less treat them with justice and fairness.
This is a call to humility, empathy, and godly leadership.
- Christ-centered living transforms every relationship.
Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
This tells those in authority today to treat those under their care with justice and fairness, always mindful that they themselves are accountable to God.
This is a call for mutual respect and justice in any and all relationships.
We live in a society where everyone is accountable to someone in one way or another.
Romans 13:1 NLT
13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
- Justice in leadership reflects God’s heart.
Think about Colossians 4:1 in terms of 1 Corinthians 12.
1 Corinthians 12 NLT
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free (some are employers and some re employees). But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
- Believers should be devoted to prayer,
Prayer is essential for spiritual growth.
Other thoughts about prayer:
Prayer should be continual.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
17 Never stop praying.
Romans 12:12 NLT
12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Pray with an alert mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 NLT
6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
18 … Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Pray with a thankful heart.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Be watchful in light of Christ’s return. (Stay alert)
Matthew 24:42 NLT
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
Mark 13:35-37 NLT
35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Revelation 16:15 NLT
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
- Persistent, thankful prayer needs to be a part of our daily lives.
3 Pray for us, too,
- Paul frequently asked individuals and churches to pray for him.
that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.
“his mysterious plan”
Colossians 1:26-27 NLT
26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
Ephesians 6:19 NLT
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
- Pray for opportunities to proclaim the Good News.
2 Corinthians 2:12 NLT
12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.
Paul, imprisoned at the time, does not ask for release—but for open doors to share the gospel.
This reflects a deep gospel-centered mindset.
Ephesians 6:18-20 NLT
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 NLT
3:1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.
4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
Romans 1:14 NLT
14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.
Proclaim the gospel at an age-appropriate level.
- Pray for boldness and clarity in sharing the gospel.
5 Live wisely among those who are not believers,
James 3:13, 17 NLT
13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NLT
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
- Wise conduct with non-believers can win hearts.
- Your conduct can either open or close doors for the gospel. Time is short—live intentionally.
and make the most of every opportunity.
- Make the most of every opportunity God gives you to share the Good News and to serve others.
Think of the following in terms of being a teacher at RDS:
Colossians 1:28 NLT
28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
2 Timothy 4:2 NLT
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive (seasoned with salt – NIV) so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Kind, loving, patient, respectful
Engaging, wise, life-giving
Powerful
Wholesome
Well-chosen words
Salt is both a seasoning and a preservative.
Matthew 5:13 NLT
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Colossians 3:8 NLT
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
- Christians should be known for speaking truth with grace. Wisdom in speech can both challenge and attract.
