Chapter Eighteen
Colossians 4:2-6 Pray, Walk and Speak
To begin the next section, we need to quickly summarize chapter three, beginning with the first verse, where Paul reminded us that as Christians we belong to Jesus, which means that instead of embracing the world, we should always be looking to God. This requires us to change the way we think (see verses 1-4). To help us recalibrate our thinking, Paul compiled a list of things that define what a Christian is, the “new standard” way of thinking:
1) What we should avoid (Internal and external, see verses 5-9);
2) Put on the “new self” (see verse 10);
3) Understand that the differences we see between people groups are only important to man, not to God (verse 11);
4) Remember that we should be doing only those things that are pleasing to God, including loving others and allowing the Word of Christ to live in us (see verses 12-17);
5) Insight regarding relationships between married couples (see verses 18-19);
6) About the relationships between parents and their children (see verses 20-21) and then
7) Relationships between masters and slaves, bondservants or servants (or employers and employees, see verses 22-25 and the first verse of chapter four).
Just as fruit defines what type of tree it is growing on (such as an apple grows only on an apple tree), our fruit identifies us as being Christian. The above list defines who we are and now Paul concludes this section with a list of what Christians do. Just like what they say on those popular insurance company commercials, “it’s what you do.”
4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
We are to continue steadfastly in prayer. What does that mean? Does that mean we can perhaps pray intermittently or on occasion? Of course not! How about when we think about prayer? No, especially if you have a poor memory! Paul says we are to diligent and continual, in other words…keep doing it! Paul adds that we are to be watchful and vigilant, that means paying strict attention and being cautious in our praying. So, what type of prayer is he talking about? The Lord’s Prayer? Probably not. How about prayer offered before a meal? No, not even close. This is prayer with power, remember in chapter 3 verse 17, Paul said, “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (ESV), we are to pray knowing we have the power and authority of Jesus. Let me use a story about Martin Luther to illustrate.
Friedrich Myconius was a close friend of Martin Luther, in 1540 he became ill, lost the ability to speak and was not expected to live much longer. He wrote a quick letter to Luther saying good-bye and Martin Luther wrote back the following: “I command thee in the name of God to live because I still have need of thee in the work of reforming the church.” He further stated: “The Lord will never let me hear that thou art dead, but will-permit thee to survive me. For this I am praying, this is my will, and may my will be done, because I seek only to glorify the name of God.” On the surface these words would be shocking to anyone, including most Christians. But Luther, who reportedly spent a great deal of his time praying (several hours a day), understood what it meant to pray in the power and authority of Jesus. Myconius completely recovered and lived six more years, surviving Luther by two months.
In Matthew’s account of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, he told his disciples to watch and pray with Him (see Matthew 26:36-46). But we all know the story, they fell asleep! Perhaps they didn’t know what to do or expect, but they couldn’t even stay awake! All disciples of Jesus need to pay attention in life, there is a lot of things around us that can distract us from Jesus. Just like when you drive a car, you should always be watching the road so you can be prepared if something happens. If we are going to be available to be used by God, we need to be ready. Who knows, someday we may end up before a Pharaoh, in a shipwreck, in a lion’s den or before the Sanhedrin. We don’t want to wait until we hear the words, “the hour is at hand,” (see Matthew 26:45). Paul adds that we are to also offer thanksgiving, which is not always easy in difficult situations or times of stress, but remember He always knows best!
4:3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
Paul then says while you are praying, pray for him. Christians should always be praying for other Christians, especially those active in ministry. We should be praying for evangelists, like Paul, as well as every Christian that may be involved in spreading the gospel message (that would be all believers). Paul says we should pray for doors to be opened (same Greek word used in John chapter 10, Jesus being the Good Shepherd and the Door, see also Acts 14:27). Paul further clarifies that he is asking that when the message of the mystery of Christ (see Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10; Romans 16:25) is declared, that doors would be opened. Paul is referring to the gospel message, Jesus did the work, now our job is to let everyone know what He did. We should be praying that God give us opportunities to present the gospel to others. Paul notes that he is in prison on account of the gospel (see also Ephesians6:20; Philippians 1:7 and Colossians 4:18), have you ever asked yourself if you would be willing to go to prison for God?
4:4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Understanding that there are people, some with good intentions, while others teach with the wrong motives (see Galatians 2:4; Titus 1:16; 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4), Paul adds that the gospel message should be made clear (Greek word ‘phaneroō’, meaning to make something real, to make known, expose). The message of salvation should never to convoluted, disjointed, overly complicated or mysterious. The gospel message is straightforward and should always be communicated as such.
4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Paul then says that we are to walk in wisdom towards outsiders. What does that mean? Just like when you plan on crossing a busy street, you use wisdom on choosing when and how you are going to cross, we need to apply the wisdom we receive from God in all that we do, especially when we interact with those that are not Christian. We are to walk with assurance and faith, but since we are ambassadors for Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:20), how we act, reflects on Him. If we act inappropriately (unwise), we may lose our ability to witness. We are to make the best use of the time, don’t misuse the time God gives us.
4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
What we say when we talk is a major subject of concern in the Bible (For a few examples, see Psalm 12:2-4; 17:10; Matthew 12:34; 15:18; Romans 3:13; James 1:26; 3:1-12). Paul says that we should always be gracious in our speech, seasoned with salt. The word ‘seasoned’ here implies making something savory (see Mark 9:50), meaning our speech should be used to edify and assist, not bring down and hurt. So that we may know how (not just what we are saying, but also understand that how we say something, may at times be just as important) to answer (Greek word ‘apokrinomai’, meaning to give an answer to an inquiry). This is similar to what Peter stated in 1 Peter 3:15, Paul reminds us that part of being a Christian is to be willing to talk about Jesus and His plan of salvation to everyone, for all of humanity. God places us where we need to be, for His glory, not ours.
Verse six concludes this section, in summary, as Christians we are to: 1) pray that you may be used by God; 2) be ready and watch for opportunities to help people find Jesus; 3) present the gospel message clearly (which means we should first know it); 4) know that you represent Jesus so we need to walk and act accordingly; 5) speak appropriately, don’t sound like the rest of the world; 6) be able to clarify and defend the gospel message and 7) keep praying, that is what steadfast means!
Remember, we belong to Jesus, that’s who and what we are! Does the world know that you are a Christian?