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SEASONED WITH SALT
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS
CHAPTER 4
Good day to you, and welcome back to Daily Bread. Our study today takes us
through the last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. When we closed
our study last time, Paul was addressing those who serve, and how they
should think of their work as serving the Lord, and not man.
Now Paul addresses
those who are in authoritative positions, saying, Pay those who serve you
what is fair and just, knowing that you also have a boss in Heaven. Continue
in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving, and praying for us too,
that God will open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of
Christ, for which I am in bonds, that I may make it plain as I should speak.
There are two
things that you should know about these first four verses. What does it
mean, Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving? Well,
continue in prayer is fairly clear . . . Keep praying. But what does watch
in the same mean? It could mean several things. Watch could mean, be
careful, be attentive, be awake, be guarded, tend to, be vigilant, be
expectant, or wait. The words “the same” refer to something that was
mentioned previously in the sentence, in this case, the same = prayer. So,
let’s just choose one of the definitions above and put it together. Keep
praying and be expectant (expect God to answer) in your prayer, with
thanksgiving (expressing thanks to God).
Next, Paul
mentions being in bonds, so we can assume that he wrote this epistle while
he was in prison in Rome. He’s asking the Colossians to pray that God would
somehow give them (Paul, Timothy and others who were with him) an
opportunity to preach the Word, because spreading the Good News from prison
didn’t seem to be the ideal situation (but Paul didn’t let it hinder him).
Have you noticed
that Paul uses many phrases that aren’t familiar in our time? It takes a
little digging to figure out what they mean today, but that’s all part of
the fun. When you solve what something means in the Bible, that was unclear
when you first read it, it gives you a great feeling of contentment, doesn’t
it? Here comes some more of those phrases.
Walk in wisdom
toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be always with Grace, seasoned with
salt, that you may know how to answer every man.
Which could be said this way: Speak with love and Forgiveness. Seasoned with
salt as to be able to reach and teach every man.
But what does Paul mean when he says "Seasoned with Salt" ... Jesus used
Salt to express how we as Christians would be Salted with fire (Holy
Spirit) which means we would be fiery or passionate. Jesus goes on to
say that if salt loses it's flavor, we would not use it on our food
therefore if we as Christians lose the salt (passion) we are useless to the
Ministry.
Mark 10:49-50
Soooooooooooooooooo, Paul is saying ... Be passionate about your beliefs and
that will add fiery flavor to your words of TRUTH and those you are sharing
with will FEEL your Fiery Words and CHOOSE to believe.
Now Paul begins
his farewells. All my affairs, Tychicus will inform you of, who is a beloved
brother, a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord, whom I have
sent to you to find out your estate (welfare) and comfort your hearts, with
Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you (from Colosse or
Asia). (You can read more about Onesimus in Paul’s letter to
Philemon.) They
will tell you about all things that are done here (in Rome). It’s a safe bet
that this letter was sent to Colosse with these two friends of Paul.
Aristarchus, my
fellow prisoner greets you, and Marcus, who is Barnabus’ nephew (touching
whom you received commandments. If he comes to visit you, welcome
him), and Justus, who are Jewish believers. These three are my co-workers
for the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort to me.
Epaphras, who is
one of you, a servant of Christ, greets you, always praying hard for you,
that you may stand perfect and complete in all of God’s will. I tell you the
TRUTH, he has a great zeal (fondness) for you and those in Laodicea and
Hierapolis (nearby cities to Colosse).
Luke the beloved
physician, and Demas, greet you. Greet the brethren that are in Laodicea,
and greet Nymphas and the church which is in his house (his family, friends,
etc.). And when this epistle is read among you, see that it is also read in
the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle that I
wrote to those in Laodicea. Tell Archipus, Take care of the ministry that
you have received from the Lord, and fulfill it.
The salutation
(letter of greeting, or signature) by the hand (written) of me, Paul.
Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. Amen.
Just a quick note
... Laodicea is one of the seven churches of Asia, written of in the book of
Revelation. Jesus gives John a message to write to each of the seven
churches and the message to the Laodiceans is in
Revelation
3:14-22. Although the seven churches were real, existing congregations,
perhaps they also symbolize different attitudes that we all have and these
messages reveal what the consequences of those attitudes will be if we don’t
overcome them. Definitely something to think about.
Congratulations on
completing another great study from the New Testament! Be sure to join in
again as we open Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. I look forward to
sharing it with you, right here at Daily Bread.
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