Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Colossians 4
New International Version

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(A) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

### Further Instructions

2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(B) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(C) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(D) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(E) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(F) in the way you act toward outsiders;(G) make the most of every opportunity.(H) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(I) seasoned with salt,(J) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(K)

### Final Greetings

7 Tychicus(L) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[a](M) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(N) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(O) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(P) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(Q) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(R) the cousin of Barnabas.(S) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews[c] among my co-workers(T) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(U) who is one of you(V) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(W) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(X) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(Y) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(Z) the doctor, and Demas(AA) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(AB) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(AC)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(AD) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus:(AE) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(AF)

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(AG) Remember(AH) my chains.(AI) Grace be with you.(AJ)

#### Footnotes

1. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
2. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
3. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group

#### Cross references

1. Colossians 4:1 : Lev 25:43, 53
2. Colossians 4:2 : S Lk 18:1
3. Colossians 4:3 : S Ac 14:27
4. Colossians 4:3 : S Ro 16:25
5. Colossians 4:3 : S Ac 21:33
6. Colossians 4:5 : Eph 5:15
7. Colossians 4:5 : S Mk 4:11
8. Colossians 4:5 : Eph 5:16
9. Colossians 4:6 : Eph 4:29
10. Colossians 4:6 : Mk 9:50
11. Colossians 4:6 : 1Pe 3:15
12. Colossians 4:7 : S Ac 20:4
13. Colossians 4:7 : Eph 6:21, 22; Col 1:7
14. Colossians 4:8 : Eph 6:21, 22; Col 2:2
15. Colossians 4:9 : Phm 10
16. Colossians 4:9 : ver 12
17. Colossians 4:10 : S Ac 19:29
18. Colossians 4:10 : S Ac 12:12
19. Colossians 4:10 : S Ac 4:36
20. Colossians 4:11 : S Php 2:25
21. Colossians 4:12 : Col 1:7; Phm 23
22. Colossians 4:12 : ver 9
23. Colossians 4:12 : S Ro 15:30
24. Colossians 4:12 : S 1Co 2:6
25. Colossians 4:13 : S Col 2:1
26. Colossians 4:14 : 2Ti 4:11; Phm 24
27. Colossians 4:14 : 2Ti 4:10; Phm 24
28. Colossians 4:15 : S Col 2:1
29. Colossians 4:15 : S Ro 16:5
30. Colossians 4:16 : 2Th 3:14; S 1Ti 4:13
31. Colossians 4:17 : Phm 2
32. Colossians 4:17 : 2Ti 4:5
33. Colossians 4:18 : S 1Co 16:21
34. Colossians 4:18 : Heb 13:3
35. Colossians 4:18 : S Ac 21:33
36. Colossians 4:18 : 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:15; Heb 13:25

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles