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Colossians · Bible in Basic English

Colossians 4 Bible in Basic English

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About BBE
  • Scholarly edition
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew (not verified)
  • NT: Critical text (not verified)
  • Protestant (66 books)
  • Simplified language
  • 1965
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

BBE Bible in Basic English
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Masters, give your servants what is right and equal, conscious that you have a Master in heaven.
1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
1 Οἱ κύριοι τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε, εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔχετε Κύριον ἐν οὐρανοῖς.
2 Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
2 Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε, γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ,
3 And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;
3 praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,
3 προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν, ἵνα ὁ Θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ λόγου, λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι᾽ ὃ καὶ δέδεμαι,
4 So that I may make it clear, as it is right for me to do.
4 that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
4 ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτὸ ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.
5 Be wise in your behaviour to those who are outside, making good use of the time.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
5 Ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω, τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.
6 Let your talk be with grace, mixed with salt, so that you may be able to give an answer to everyone.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
6 ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι, ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος, εἰδέναι πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἀποκρίνεσθαι.
7 Tychicus will give you news of all my business: he is a dear brother and true servant and helper in the word;
7 All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.
7 Τὰ κατ᾽ ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος καὶ σύνδουλος ἐν Κυρίῳ,
8 And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may have news of how we are, and so that he may give your hearts comfort;
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
8 ὃν ἔπεμψα πρὸς ὑμᾶς εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, ἵνα γνῷ τὰ περὶ ὑμῶν καὶ παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν,
9 And with him I have sent Onesimus, the true and well-loved brother, who is one of you. They will give you word of everything which is taking place here.
9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
9 σὺν Ὀνησίμῳ τῷ πιστῷ καὶ ἀγαπητῷ ἀδελφῷ, ὅς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν· πάντα ὑμῖν γνωριοῦσι τὰ ὧδε.
10 Aristarchus, my brother-prisoner, sends his love to you, and Mark, a relation of Barnabas (about whom you have been given orders: if he comes to you, be kind to him),
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
10 Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἀρίσταρχος ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου, καὶ Μᾶρκος ὁ ἀνεψιὸς Βαρνάβα, — περὶ οὗ ἐλάβετε ἐντολάς· ἐὰν ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς, δέξασθε αὐτόν, —
11 And Jesus, whose other name is Justus; these are of the circumcision: they are my only brother-workers for the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort to me.
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
11 καὶ Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰοῦστος, οἱ ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς, οὗτοι μόνοι συνεργοὶ εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, οἵτινες ἐγενήθησάν μοι παρηγορία.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
12 ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἐπαφρᾶς ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ, πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ἵνα στῆτε τέλειοι καὶ πεπληρωμένοι ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ·
13 For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
13 For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
13 μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅτι ἔχει ζῆλον πολὺν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ καὶ τῶν ἐν Ἱεραπόλει.
14 Luke, our well-loved medical friend, and Demas, send you their love.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
14 ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Λουκᾶς ὁ ἰατρὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς καὶ Δημᾶς.
15 Give my love to the brothers in Laodicea and to Nymphas and the church in their house.
15 Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.
15 ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ Νυμφᾶν καὶ τὴν κατ᾽ οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἐκκλησίαν·
16 And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.
16 When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
16 καὶ ὅταν ἀναγνωσθῇ παρ᾽ ὑμῖν ἡ ἐπιστολή, ποιήσατε ἵνα καὶ ἐν τῇ Λαοδικέων ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀναγνωσθῇ, καὶ τὴν ἐκ Λαοδικείας ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀναγνῶτε.
17 Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.
17 Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
17 καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ· βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν Κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς.
18 I, Paul, give you this word of love in my handwriting. Keep in memory that I am a prisoner. Grace be with you.
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
18 Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. μνημονεύετέ μου τῶν δεσμῶν. Ἡ χάρις μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν· ἀμήν.

People & places in this chapter

From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.

People

  • Archippus

    Fellow soldier of Paul

    Called by Paul his fellow soldier and told to complete the ministry he received in the Lord.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 4:17; Philemon 2

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  • Demas

    Coworker of Paul

    A coworker of Paul who sends greetings from Rome, but later deserted him because he loved the present world.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10; Philemon 24

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  • Epaphras

    Founder of the Colossian church

    A faithful minister of Christ who taught the Colossians, wrestled for them in prayer, and was Paul's fellow prisoner.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 23

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  • Luke

    Beloved physician and coworker of Paul

    Paul's beloved physician and coworker who stayed with him when others had left him in his final imprisonment.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24

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  • Nympha

    Host of a house church at Laodicea

    A woman whose house hosts a church to which Paul sends greetings.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 4:15

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  • Onesimus

    Runaway slave of Philemon

    A slave who became a believer through Paul in prison and whom Paul sent back to Philemon as a beloved brother.

    Cited in the guide: Colossians 4:9; Philemon 10

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  • Tychicus

    Companion and messenger of Paul

    A man from Asia who traveled with Paul; Paul calls him a beloved brother and faithful servant and sent him with letters to Ephesus, Colossae, and elsewhere.

    Cited in the guide: Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7

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Cross references (18)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 Ephesians 6:8–20; Revelation 17:14; Deuteronomy 24:14–15; James 2:13; Luke 16:1–13
  2. 2 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 12:12; Matthew 26:41
  3. 3 Ephesians 6:19–20; Acts 14:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2; Philippians 1:13–14; 1 Corinthians 4:1
  4. 4 2 Corinthians 4:1–4; Ephesians 6:20; Colossians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 2:14–17
  5. 5 Ephesians 5:15–17; James 3:13; James 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:12; Romans 16:19
  6. 6 Ephesians 4:29; 1 Peter 3:15; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Mark 9:50; Proverbs 15:4
  7. 7 Ephesians 6:21–23; Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12; 1 Corinthians 4:1–4
  8. 8 Ephesians 6:22; Colossians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 12:18; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:11
  9. 9 Philemon 10–19; Colossians 4:7
  10. 10 Acts 19:29; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 24; Acts 15:37–39; Acts 27:2
  11. 11 Acts 11:2; Titus 1:10; Philemon 1; Romans 4:12; 2 Corinthians 6:1
  12. 12 Romans 15:30; Colossians 1:9; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 1:7; Philemon 23
  13. 13 Colossians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 8:3; Revelation 3:14–18; Romans 10:2; Revelation 1:11
  14. 14 Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:10–11
  15. 15 Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Philemon 2
  16. 16 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:14
  17. 17 Philemon 2; Acts 1:17; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
  18. 18 Hebrews 13:3; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Hebrews 13:25

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

Articles and answers on this site that cite Colossians 4.

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Commentary 4:5 John Chrysostom, Homilies on Colossians (Homily XI)

    What Christ said to His disciples, that doth Paul also now advise. And what did Christ say? "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. x. 16.) That is, be upon your guard, giving them no handle against you.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 13 (1889)

  2. Quotes verse 4:14 Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book III, Chapter XIII)

    And again he says, in the Epistle to the Colossians: "Luke, the beloved physician, greets you." But surely if Luke, who always preached in company with Paul, and is called by him "the beloved," and with him performed the work of an evangelist, and was entrusted to hand down to us a Gospel, learned nothing different from him (Paul), as …

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)

  3. Quotes verse 4:6 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily XXIII)

    For this very reason He Himself also discoursed much unto the Jews in parables, "because they seeing saw not." For this, Paul likewise commanded "to know how we ought to answer every man."

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)