Colossians 4:1-6

1: Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
3: praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
4: that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

5: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

6: Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

***  

This first verse completed Paul’s instructions regarding specific roles in relationships. Masters were to be just and fair to their slaves, giving them what was rightly due to them, while being aware that they too have a Master in heaven. Remember Jesus said to treat people the same way you want them to treat you (Matthew 7:12). This applies very appropriately here. As we saw yesterday, in Christ, one person does not receive special privilege over another.

Paul then spoke to everyone telling them to devote themselves to prayer, keeping alert in prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving. He asked for specific prayer for he and Timothy, that God would open a door for them to speak the mystery of Christ—the same reason for which he was imprisoned. Paul asked for prayer that he may speak clearly as he ought to. He was not backing away from preaching the gospel which imprisoned him, for he knew that was his call and he desired opportunity to open wherever possible.

Before his final closing thoughts, Paul encouraged the Colossians in their behavior toward non-Christians—to be wise in their dealings with them, to make the most of their opportunities. He said to let their speech be seasoned with grace, so they too would know how to respond to those who didn’t know the Lord. Paul was continually aware that there were many opportunities to speak the mystery of Christ, and that all believers should be aware of and prepared for these opportunities.

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