Colossians 4
Colossians 4: Living as New Humanity and Spreading the Gospel
The last chapter of Colossians, Paul’s message to the church is as relevant today as it was in the first century. This final chapter brings together the core themes of the letter: how the resurrected Jesus has transformed our lives and reshaped how we live together in community. We’re called to bring heaven to earth, embodying the love and grace that Jesus displayed, while also embracing our role in spreading His message.
Bringing Heaven to Earth: A New Way of Living
Paul’s teachings in Colossians are a radical departure from the norms of his time. In the Roman world, society was highly hierarchical, with power concentrated in the hands of a few—men, heads of households, and masters. Paul’s instructions, however, call for a different approach. In Christian communities, relationships should be marked by love, mutual respect, and humility. This isn’t a transactional model—“I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine”—but rather a beautiful, selfless dance of mutual care and service.
Paul addresses different groups within the Christian home, urging wives to submit and respect their husbands, and husbands to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the church. This love isn’t about dominance or authority but about putting the well-being of others above oneself. It’s a challenging call, but one that, when lived out, can create a harmony that transforms the entire household.
Children, too, are part of this vision. They’re encouraged to obey and respect their parents, contributing to a family dynamic where love and responsibility go hand in hand. And while Paul’s letter includes advice for slaves—many of whom were paid, lived in their own homes, and had a degree of freedom—it’s important to understand that his teachings were aimed at transforming how people related to one another within the system as it stood. He urged masters to treat their slaves justly and fairly, reminding them that they, too, are accountable to a higher Master in heaven. Overtime, christians have been empowered by the Spirit to speak out against the mistreatment of others, abolish slavery and hold up the dignity of everyone made in the image of God.
Prayer: Our Lifeline and Connection to God
In Colossians 4, Paul emphasizes prayer as the foundation for our spiritual lives. He tells us to "devote ourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2). This isn’t just about reciting prayers but developing a deep, ongoing connection with God. Paul’s own example shows that prayer is essential, not just for personal growth but for the expansion of the gospel. He demonstrates that prayer is a gift—an avenue to partner with God in His mission to reconcile people to Himself.
When we think about prayer, it’s easy to see it as a ritual or obligation, but Paul’s perspective challenges us to see it as vital and active. Prayer should be persistent, like Jesus praying in Gethsemane, or the disciples waiting in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It’s about being watchful and ready, understanding that our spiritual battles are fought and won on our knees.
We often underestimate the power of prayer. But when we align our hearts with God’s purpose, we open ourselves up to seeing His work unfold in and through us. Prayer is not just about asking for our needs; it’s about seeking opportunities to spread the gospel, sharing our faith with those around us, and asking God to prepare hearts to receive His truth.
Spreading the Good News: Words and Actions Matter
Paul’s instruction to the Colossians doesn’t stop at prayer; it extends to how we live and speak among outsiders. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6).
This is where our relational skills come into play. Paul is telling us to be strategic and thoughtful in how we engage with others. It’s not just about being ready to share the gospel at any moment, but also about using wisdom to know when and how to do it. Our words should reflect the grace and love of Christ, making others curious about what we believe and how we live.
Sometimes we worry about what to say or fear rejection. But Paul reminds us that we don’t operate out of fear. We trust in God’s timing and the power of the Holy Spirit to work through our conversations. And we take small, intentional steps: asking people if they’d like prayer, inviting them to join us for church, or sharing our stories in a way that’s relatable and compassionate.
A Life Worth Living
As we reflect on Colossians 4, it’s clear that Paul’s vision for the church is one of active participation in God’s work. We’re called to live out our faith with integrity, nurturing our relationships and using every opportunity to share the hope we have in Christ. Our prayer life, interactions with others, and willingness to live as a new humanity are all parts of the mission.
Let’s take this challenge seriously. Let’s devote ourselves to prayer, seek wisdom in our interactions, and make every conversation count. We are carriers of the gospel—entrusted with something precious. Let’s live in a way that shows others what it means to be transformed by Jesus and to share that transformation with the world.
