Chapter four continues where three ends. The personal conduct of the believer is what is brought into focus. The remainder of chapter four is personal and informative; it deals with Paul's friends and his own ministry.

Outline Of The Chapter:

I. Living the resurrected life (contd.) (1-6)

II. Christian fellowship and personal relationships (7-18)

I. Living The Resurrected Life (contd.) - (1-6)

A Christian slave - holder or master to remember that he himself is a slave and his "Master" will pay him off Just like he pays off his own hired help. (Col. 3:25)

Although it appears slavery is condoned in the Bible, the slave is paid for his work that which is just and equal. (1 Tim. 6:1-3) Nowhere does the Bible condone the mistreatment of slaves, nor does it even condone the under paying of slaves.

"Continue in prayer... with thanksgiving" (vs. 2) (See Phil 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17,18; Eph. 6:18; Rom. 12:12)

"door of utterance" - defined in scripture as an opportunity to preach - (Rev. 3:8; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12)

"redeeming the time" (vs. 5) - The lazy Christian aims at nothing and generally hits the target. Stagnant pools of water usually gather filth and germs, and no Christian should be waiting for some thing to "turn up"; he ought to be turning things upside down. (Acts 16:20)

 

II. Christian Fellowship And Personal Relationships - (7-18)

Onesimus - (Phile. 9,10,16) - He is the returned slave of Philemon.

Aristarchus - (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2; Phil. 24) Aristarchus was a Macedonian who accompanied Paul through some of his most trying times in Acts 19 and he accompanied Paul to Rome in (Acts 27). Aristarchus is from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) and in (Phile. 23,24) his name follows Mark as fellow labourers.

Marcus - is the John Mark of (Acts 13:13) who defected on Paul's first missionary journey. The break in fellowship between Mark and Paul was not a permanent thing which is evidenced by (2 Tim. 4:11; Phil. 24; 1 Peter 5:13).

Jesus (Justus) - converted Jew as is Mark. (Verse 11) says "These only are my fellow workers unto the Kingdom of God..." This shows that these men are the only ones who have stuck with him in his present predicament.

Epaphras - is another Colossian (as Onesimus) and he is mentioned in (Phil. 23 and Col. 1:7).

Luke - "the beloved physician." This is the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of the Acts of the Apostles.

Demas - is the defector of (2 Tim. 4:10). Here in this text not one good thing is said about him. Demas is a perfect picture of a Christian who was not a fellow worker.

Archippus - (Phile. 2) We said earlier in our study that the church at Colosse and the church of Laodicea in (Rev. 3) had much in common. We find the Laodiceans mentioned in (4:16). Colossians contains the last warning the Holy Spirit will ever give to the 20th century church. These warnings clearly deal with the following:

[1]. Love not the world - Demas.
[2]. Don't judge the Bible by tradition. (2:8)
[3]. Don't overthrow scripture with philosophy. (2:8)
[4]. Don't set your own standards where you become the final judge.