Colossians 4:12-13,Colossians 4:15-16

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Colossians 4:1-18

The true purpose of life for the saints and faithful in Christ is to the maintenance of a twofold relationship- toward God, and toward those who are without. The first is covered by prayer as it includes adoration, confession, and petition. This life must be sedulously cultivated. A necessary element in such a life is watchfulness. Yet such watchfulness is not to be characterized by anxiety, for it is to be "with thanksgiving." Cheerfulness is to mingle with cautiousness. Toward "them that are... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 4:12

‘Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has much labour for you, and for those in Laodicea , and for those in Hierapolis.’ See Colossians 1:7. Epaphras may well have founded the Colossian church, and here we learn of his continued concern for them and their fellow churches in the area. He strives (agonises) for them in his... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 4:7-18

Colossians 4:7-Job : . Commendations and Salutations. Colossians 4:7 . Tychicus: cf. Acts 20:4, Ephesians 6:21, Titus 3:12, 2 Timothy 4:12. Colossians 4:9 . Onesimus: there is a touch of gentle humour in this reference to the returning runaway, both in what it says, and in what it omits. Colossians 4:10 . Aristarchus: cf. Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2, Philemon 1:24.— Mark: the John Mark of Ac. ( Acts 13:5; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:36-Matthew :), and the author of the second gospel. A... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you: after he had given them the good wishes of some of the Jews, he doth here give the like from some of the Gentiles, beginning with Epaphras, whom he had before commended, Colossians 1:7,Colossians 1:8, and doth here recommend him as born and bred amongst them, devoted to their service, in being the servant of Christ, as Paul, separated to the preaching of the gospel, Romans 1:1, yea, a fellow prisoner with the apostle upon that... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Colossians 4:13

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you; for, saith the apostle, though I am not privy to his secret prayers, yet I can bear him witness, and do give him mine own testimony, that he hath a most ardent and special affection for you Christians at Colosse. And them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis; yea, and for those also in your neighbour cities; see the argumeut, and Colossians 2:1; viz. Laodicea, the last of the seven churches, to whom excellent epistles were... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Colossians 4:12-13

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTESColossians 4:12. Always labouring fervently for you.—R.V. “always striving.” Lit. “agonising.” Like the mighty wrestler who held the Angel till daybreak, Epaphras intercedes for his Colossian brethren. Complete in all the will of God.—R.V. “fully assured.” “From the tenor of the letter it appears that the Colossians needed a deeper Christian insight and more intelligent and well-grounded convictions respecting the truth ‘as in Jesus’ ” (Findlay).Colossians 4:13.... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Colossians 4:12

DISCOURSE: 2190THE CHARACTER AND AIM OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTERColossians 4:12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.LOVE is the essence of the Christian religion. The heathens themselves noticed the fervour of the love which subsisted among the first Christians. Ministers in particular feel a distinguished regard for those to whom they have been signally useful... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Colossians 4:12

Epaphras A touching illustration of priestly service, (See Scofield " :-") as distinguished from ministry of gift. Shut up in prison, no longer able to preach, Epaphras was still, equally with all believers, a priest. No prison could keep him from the throne of grace, so he gave himself wholly to the priestly work of intercession. perfect (See Scofield " :-") . read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:1-18

Chapter 4Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal [pay them a decent salary]; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving ( Colossians 4:1-2 );As we said, prayer has many parts and an important part of prayer is praise and worship, thanksgiving. A minor part of prayer is request, petitions. But then Paul says, "Pray for us." And, of course, in each of the churches he requested prayer, and I think that every... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Colossians 4:1-18

Colossians 4:1 . Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal. Paul doubles the precept here, reminding them that one is their master, who is Lord of heaven and earth. He well knew that some were severe in the treatment of their slaves and dependents, contrary to the mild and benignant spirit of the gospel. Colossians 4:2-4 . Continue in prayer. Paul prayed on the sea-shore with the elders of Ephesus. Secret and family prayer are duties constantly devolving on christians,... read more