“Colossians 4”

Tuesday, July 04, 2017

One of the things that Paul asked the Colossians to pray for on his behalf was “that God would open to us a door for the word.”

A door can be an impediment to progress. That’s why most of us lock the door to our houses when we leave home. We don’t want someone to go through our door and have free access to our possessions.

But an open door is another matter. An open door invites one to enter. A door for the gospel represents an opportunity to share the message of salvation with others.

In 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul says that a great and effective door for the gospel had been opened. When a door opens, Satan will make certain that there are many adversaries who will oppose the gospel.

In Revelation 3:8, the Lord had opened a door for the small, but strong church in Philadelphia. When He opens a door, no one can shut it (verse7), but many times as Christians we are fearful to work through those open doors.

We should use all such opportunities wisely (Colossians 4:5).

As Paul writes his final farewell to the Colossians (verses 7-18), he also sends greetings to the disciples from others who were with him.

Tychicus was a messenger to both Ephesus (Ephesians 6:21-22) and Colosse, who would share information about Paul.

Onesimus will accompany Tychicus to Colosse and will be a prominent character in the book of Philemon.

Many Bible students believe that Archippus was the local preacher for the Colossian church.

Epaphras was a member of the church at Colosse and labored fervently for the church in prayer. It is important for a church to have people pray for them.

Notice, from verse 16, that this letter was to be read not only in Colosse, but to the church at Laodicea, as well. In turn, a letter to Laodicea was to be read to the Colossians. Before the completion of the New Testament, epistles like this one were to be shared with other Christians.

--Roger Hillis

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