Arcing Colossians
Colossians 1:1-4:18
Participating in the proclamation of the Gospel in prayer, conduct, and finally in speech.
#thegospel
#evangelism
Published July 4th, 2020; Updated July 4th, 2020
Main point summary
Colossians 4:2-6
Notes
notes
Main point summary
Here Colossians are invited to share in the proclamation of the Gospel in three way: (1) in prayer by first being thankful of what God already has done in there life in the gospel and then praying that this gospel will reach to others (2) in conduct, by using every opportunity (even hard circumstances) to proclaim the gospel in the way we live (3) in speech, by sharing the gospel in such a way that address the listener and give grace to draw near to the Lord, rather than speaking just for the sake of speaking or because you just feel good. Therefore, the progression in participation for the proclamation of the gospel is from prayer, to conduct, to speech.
Colossians 4:2-6
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Colossians 4:2-6
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a Devote yourselves to prayer ,
Prayer should have two content: vv2b, vv3a
c Continue steadfastly in prayer ,
Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε,
keeping alert in it
(1) In prayer we must be alert
being watchful in it
γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ
with an attitude of thanksgiving;
Thanks giving is a way to be alert and watchful. By saying thank you Lord for this, you are awakend not to be captive of those who give false promise.
d with thanksgiving.
ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ,
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praying at the same time a for us as well,
(2) In prayer we must pray for the advancement of the word of God
At the same time, pray also for us,
προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν,
that God will open up to us a b door for c the word,
(2.1) Prayer for open door for the gospel in prison.
that God may e open to us a door for the word,
ἵνα ὁ θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ
so that we may speak forth d the mystery of Christ , for which I have also e been imprisoned ;
f to declare the mystery of Christ , g on account of which I am in prison —
λόγου λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, διʼ ὃ καὶ δέδεμαι,
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that I may make it [the mystery of Christ] clear
(2.2) Prayer for preaching the gospel with clarity
that I may make it [the mystery of Christ] clear,
ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτὸ
a in the way I ought to speak.
which is how I ought to speak.
ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.
comparison
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1 a Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward b outsiders,
h Walk in wisdom toward i outsiders,
Ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω
2 c making the most of the opportunity.
Similar with Eph. 5:15,16. The wisdom of evangelizing in our life is a wisdom of using every opportunity to do so. Hence, even in hardships, we use it as an opportunity to show Christ in our life.
making the best use of the time.
τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.
a Let your speech always be 1 with grace ,
Our speech as Christians should be able to give grace to the listeners.
Let your speech always j be gracious ,
ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι,
as though seasoned with b salt,
A gracious speech is a speech that it has test when being listened to, rather than listing facts.
k seasoned with salt,
ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος,
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so that you will know how you should c respond to each person.
The purpose of speaking with grace is not so that you will be men-pleaser; but it is so that you know how answer in such a way that it will be useful for the listener, rather than to speak simply because it makes you feel good or for the sake of speaking.
l so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
εἰδέναι πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἀποκρίνεσθαι.
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Notes
[ vv2] Repeatedly Paul gives thanks (Col. 1:3, 1:12) and also commands them to be thankful (Col. 2:6, 3:15, 16) in the whole letter, of what they already have in Christ. This is because Colossians need to understand what they already have in Christ and hence they need only to stay in what they received to grow. Otherwise, they will be captivated by the false teachers who will deceive them by telling them as if they lack something and they need to do something additional than believing in Jesus. Hence thankfulness is a way to be watchful and be on guard against false promises.
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