COLOSSIANS CHAPTER FOUR
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

• GREEK TENSES:
• PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
• AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
• FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
• PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
• IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
• PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.
• GREEK CASES:
• GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
• INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
• DAT= Dative Case
• NOM= Nominative Case
• ACC= Accusative
• PL= Plural
• SG= Singular
• GREEK VOICES:
• AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
• PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
• MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.
• GREEK MOODS:
• IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
• OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
• IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
• SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
• OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
• PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
• ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
• INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

Col:4:1:

Masters, (KURIOS, VOCATIVE PL = LORDS, BOSSES, MASTERS OF INDUSTRY)

give (PR MID IMP, PARECHO = HOLD BESIDE, FURNISH, RENDER FROM YOUR OWN RESOURCES)

unto your servants that which is just (DIKAIOS = FAIR, RIGHTEOUS)

and equal; (PISOTES = EQUAL PORTIONS, EQUAL WAGES, HONEST WAGES)

knowing (OIDA, PR AC IND = ALWAYS HAVING THE KNOWLEDGE THAT)

that ye also have (PR AC IND ECHO = KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING)

a Master in heaven.

Col:4:2:

Continue (PR AC IMP, PROSKARTUREO = BE DEVOTING YOURSELVES TO)

in prayer, and watch (PR AC PART, GREGOREO = BEING ALERT, CONSTANTLY WATCHING)

in the same with thanksgiving; (EN + LOCATIVE, EUCHARITIA = IN THE SPHERE OF THANKSGIVING)

Col:4:3:

Withal (HAMA, ADVERB = AT THE SAME TIME)

praying (PR MID PART, PROSEUCHOMAI, ITERATIVE PR, = PRAYING AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR)

also for us, that God (HO THEOS = THE GOD. REFERS TO GOD THE FATHER)

would open (AO AC SUBJ, ANOIGO = WOULD BEGIN OPENING)

unto us a door (THURA, ACC SG = A ROMAN DOOR. THE SENSE WAS PAUL WANTED TO BEGIN PREACHING TO THE ROMANS)

of utterance, to speak the mystery (MUSTERION, ACC SG = MYSTERY, REFERS TO THE INTERCALATION OF THE CHURCH)

of Christ, (POSSESSIVE GEN, CHRISTOS = OF CHRIST, BELONGING TO CHRIST)

for which I am also in bonds:

Col:4:4:

That (HINA = IN ORDER THAT)

I may make it manifest, (AO AC SUBJ, PHANEROO = MIGHT MAKE IT KNOWN, MAKE IT CLEAR)

as I ought to speak.

Col:4:5:

Walk (PR AC IMP, PERIPATEO = CONTINUALLY WALK, OR LIVE YOUR LIFE)

in wisdom (EN + LOCATIVE, SOPHIA = IN THE SPHERE OF DIVINE WISDOM)

toward them that are without, (PROS TOUS EXZO, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE = TOWARD THOSE ON THE OUTSIDE. REFERS TO THE UNBELIEVER)

redeeming (PR MID PART, EXZAGORAZO = TO PURCHASE, BUY UP, BUY OUT, KEEP PURCHASING)

the time. (KAIROS = THE DISPENSATION, OR TIME PERIOD ALLOTTED BY GOD)

Col:4:6:

Let your speech (HO LOGOS HUMON, GEN PL = YOUR WORD, YOUR DOCTRINES)

be always with grace, (EN CHARIS, LOCATIVE = IN THE SPHERE OF GRACE)

seasoned (PER PAS PART, ARTUO = TO SEASON SO AS TO MAKE PALATABLE)

with salt, that ye may know how ye ought (DEI = YOU HAVE A DUTY TO)

to answer every man. (HEIS HEKASTOS = TO EACH ONE)

Col:4:7:

All my state (TA KATEME PANTA = ALL ABOUT MY AFFAIRS)

shall Tychicus (FOOTNOTE 1)

declare (GNORIZO, FUT AC IND = SHALL MAKE KNOWN OR BRING TO LIGHT)

unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful (PISTOS = FAITHFUL, DEPENDABLE, TRUSTWORTHY)

minister (DIAKONOS = DEACON)

and fellowservant (SUN DOULOS = FELLOW SLAVE)

in the Lord:

Col:4:8:

Whom I have sent (AO AC IND, PIMPHO, INGRESSIVE AO = HAVE JUST SENT)

unto you (PROS SU, FACE TO FACE WITH YOU ALL)

for the same purpose, that (HINA = IN ORDER THAT)

he might know your estate, (PERI + GEN PL, EGO = THE THINGS CONCERNING US, OUR SITUATION)

and (KAI, ADJUNCTIVE USE = ALSO)

comfort (PARAKALEO, AO AC SUBJ = ENCOURAGE)

your hearts;

Col:4:9:

With Onesimus, (FOOTNOTE 2)

a faithful (PISTOS = FAITHFUL, DEPENDABLE, TRUSTWORTHY)

and beloved (AGAPETOS, BELOVED, MUCH LOVED AND ADMIRED)

brother, who is (EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING)

one of you. They shall make known (GNORIZO, FUT AC IND = SHALL REVEAL, SHALL BRING TO LIGHT)

unto you all things which are done here.

Col:4:10:

Aristarchus (FOOTNOTE 3)

my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, (FOOTNOTE 4)

sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom (PERI + GEN, HOS = CONCERNING WHOM)

ye received commandments: if he come unto you, (PROS + ACC, SU = FACE TO FACE WITH YOU)

receive (AO AC IMP, DECHOMAI, CULMINATIVE AO = WELCOME HIM WITH OPEN ARMS)

him;)

Col:4:11:

And Jesus, (IESOUS = JOSHUA)

which is called Justus, (FOOTNOTE 5)

who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been (AO PAS IND, CONSTATIVE AO, GINOMAI = HAVE BECOME)

a comfort (PREDICATE NOMINATIVE, PARAGORIA = COMFORT, CONSOLATION, ENCOURAGEMENT)

unto me.

Col:4:12:

Epaphras, (FOOTNOTE 6)

who is one of you, a servant (DOULOS = SLAVE)

of Christ, saluteth you, always (PANTOTE = AT ALL TIMES)

labouring fervently (PR AC PART, AGONIZOMAI = CONTENDING IN THE GAMES, FIGHTING FOR YOU)

for you in prayers, that ye may stand (AO AC SUBJ, HISTEMI, CULMINATIVE AO = YOU MAY HOLD YOUR GROUND)

perfect (TELEIOS = MATURE)

and complete (PER PAS PART, PLEROPHOREO = FILL COMPLETELY, HAVING FILLED UP THE DEFICIENCY OF)

in all the will (THELEMA, LOCATIVE OF SPHERE = WHAT HAS BEEN WILLED)

of God.

Col:4:13:

For I bear him record, (MARTUREO, R AC IND, AORISTIC PR = I GIVE SOLEMN TESTIMONY UNDER OATH)

that he hath (ECHO, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON HAVING AND HOLDING)

a great zeal (POLUS PONOS = GREAT DISTRESS, GREAT PAIN)

for you, and them that are in Laodicea, (FOOTNOTE 7)

and them in Hierapolis.(FOOTNOTE 8)

Col:4:14:

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, (FOOTNOTE 9)

greet you.

Col:4:15:

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, (NUMPHAS = A WOMAN, THE ELECT LADY. SEE 2 JOHN 1)

and the church which is in his (AUTOS = HER. SEE FOOTNOTE 10)

house. (OTHER SCRIPTURES RELATING THE CHURCHES IN PRIVATE HOMES ARE AT: ACTS 12.12; 20.8; ROMANS 16.3-5; 1 CORINTHIANS 16.9; PHILEMON 2)

Col:4:16:

And when this epistle is read (ANAGINOSKO, AO PAS SUBJ = EXEGETED, READ VERSE BY VERSE)

among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.( EK + ABL, HO = FROM THE LAODICEANS. LAODICEA HAD THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS, AND WAS TO PASS THIS EPISTLE TO COLOSSAE. EPHESIANS WAS WRITTEN TO ALL THE CHURCHES IN THE LYCHUS VALLEY, SO COLOSSAE, LAODICEA, AND EPHESUS WERE TO READ IT.)

Col:4:17:

And say to Archippus, (NAME MEANS "THE MASTER OF HORSES". SEE FOOTNOTE 11)

Take heed (BLEPO, PR AC IMP = WATCH OUT FOR, PAY ATTENTION TO)

to the ministry (DIAKONOS = SERVICE, MINISTRY)

which thou hast received (PARALAMBANO, DRAMATIC AO AC IND = HAVE TAKEN OVER FOR)

in the Lord, (EN + INST, KURIOS = BECAUSE OF THE LORD. EMPHASIZES THAT PASTORS ARE CALLED TO THIS POSITION BY CHRIST, AND SHOULD SERVE ACCORDINGLY.)

that thou fulfil it.

Col:4:18:

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember (PR AC IMP, MNEMONEUO = KEEP REMEMBERING)

my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

FOOTNOTE 1: TUCHIKOS = WAS FIRST ASSOCIATED WITH PAUL IN HIS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY, SEE ACTS 20.4; 21.29. HE WAS A NATIVE OF ASIA MINOR, THE ROMAN PROVIDENCE OF ASIA, AND CARRIED THE WRITINGS OF EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS BACK HOME WITH HIM. WHEN PAUL WENT TO JERSALEM TO OFFER VOWS IN THE TEMPLE, TUCHIKOS STAYED IN THE SEAPORT OF MILETUS, ACTS 20.15, 38. HE REJOINED PAUL DURING HIS FIRST ROMAN IMPRISONMENT, EPHESIANS 6.21-22 AND COLOSSIANS 4.7-8. TUCHIKOS WAS SENT BY PAUL TO THE ISLE OF CRETE, TITUS 3.12, TO STRAIGHTEN THE CRETIANS OUT BEFORE HE SENT TITUS THERE. DURING PAUL'S SECOND ROMAN IMPRISONMENT HE SENT TUCHIKOS TO EPHESUS, 2 TIMOTHY 4.12, TO TAKE OVER THE CHURCH THERE, RELIEVING TIMOTHY OF HIS DUTIES IN EPHESUS SO THAT TIMOTHY COULD BE WITH PAUL AS HE DIED. SEE ALSO EPHESIANS 6.21 AND COLOSSIANS 4.7.

FOOTNOTE 2: SUN + INST, ONESIMUS = TOGETHER WITH ONESIMUS. ONESIMUS WAS A CHRISTIAN AND A SLAVE OF PHILEMON, ALSO A CHRISTIAN, AROUND 62 AD. THE LAWS OF SLAVERY IN ROME WERE VERY HARSH, AND RUNAWAY SLAVES WERE TORTURED, OFTEN TO DEATH. PHILEMON WAS A WEALTHY CHRISTIAN WHO OFTEN HELD CHURCH SERVICES IN HIS HOUSE. WHEN ONESIMUS WAS AN UNBELIEVER HE ESCAPED FROM PHILEMON AND WENT TO ROME. WHEN HE RAN OUT OF RESOURCES, HE FOUND PAUL, WHOM HE KNEW TO BE A FRIEND OF PHILEMON, TO GET A LOAN. THIS IS HOW HE WAS LED TO CHRIST. SALVATION DIDN'T REMOVE ONESIMUS FROM SLAVERY, JUST FROM CONDEMNATION FROM GOD. PAUL REQUESTED THAT PHILEMON REGARD ONESIMUS AS A CHRISTIAN, NOT JUST A RUNAWAY SLAVE, AND URGED HIS FRIEND TO FORSAKE TORTURING THIS BROTHER ON HIS RETURN. THIS REQUEST IS ADDRESSED IN MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THE BOOK OF PHILEMON.

FOOTNOTE 3: NAME LITERALLY MEANS "BEST RULER". HE WAS A ROMAN CITIZEN, A NATIVE OF THESSALONICA WHO JOINED PAUL ON HIS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY. IN EPHESUS HE WAS SEIZED AND NEARLY KILLED BY A MOB, SEE ACTS 19.29. IN 59 AD HE LEFT EPHESUS AND WENT WITH PAUL TO GREECE. LIKE PAUL, HE WAS MARTYRED IN ROME BY NERO. HE WAS A ROMAN KNIGHT, AN EX-ADMINISTRATOR IN ROME.

FOOTNOTE 4: MARKOS, A REFERENCE TO JOHN-MARK. MARK WAS THE SON OF MARY OF JERUSALEM. THEIR HOME WAS THE PLACE WHERE THE ORIGINAL CHURCH MET, SEE ACTS 12.12, 25. HE WAS THE COUSIN OF BARNABAS. MARK WAS CONVERTED BY PETER, SEE 1 PETER 5.13, AND THE GOSPEL OF MARK REPRESENTS PETER'S NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST. MARK ACCOMPANIED BARNABAS ON THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY. MARK GOT COLD FEET AND DIDN'T FINISH THIS JOURNEY. WHEN PAUL AND BARNABAS WERE PLANNING THEIR SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY MARK WANTED TO GO WITH THEM. PAUL REFUSED TO FORGIVE MARK FOR HIS EARLIER RELUCTANCE, AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE HIM. THIS UNRESOLVED ANGER CAUSED A RIFT BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS. BY INCLUDING MARK IN THE FINALE OF HIS EPISTLE, PAUL IS SENDING A SUBTLE MESSAGE TO PHILEMON: "DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE WITH ONESIMUS THAT I MADE WITH MARK".SEE ACTS 15.37-39.

FOOTNOTE 5: HOUSTOS = THE JUST. THIS WASN'T HIS NAME, BUT HIS FUNCTION. JOSHUA WAS THE LAWYER WHO REPRESENTED PAUL BEFORE NERO IN ROME. AS A ROMAN CITIZEN PAUL NOT ONLY DESERVED A FAIR TRIAL, BUT RECEIVED AN APPOINTED LAWYER, WHO, IN THIS CASE, WAS A JEWISH CHRISTIAN.

FOOTNOTE 6: MENTIONED IN COLOSSIANS 1.7; 4.12; PHILEMON 23. HE WAS THE PASTOR OF THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH WHO WENT TO ROME TO TALK WITH PAUL ABOUT GNOSTICISM IN COLOSSAE. HE WAS IMPRISONED WITH PAUL WHEN HE VISITED, AND COULD NOT RETURN TO COLOSSAE AT THIS TIME, AS HE WAS BEING RETAINED AS A WITNESS AT PAUL'S UPCOMING TRIAL. AFTER THE TRIAL HE WAS RELEASED, RETURNED TO COLOSSAE, WHERE HE LATER DIED AS A MARTYR.

FOOTNOTE 7: A BEAUTIFUL CITY, NAMED FOR THE WIFE OF ANTIOCHES II, WHO WAS A WILD MAN AND A POISONER OF HIS ENEMIES. LAODICEA WAS LOCATED IN THE ROMAN PROVINCE OF ASIA, AND WAS EXTREMELY RICH. THE PASTOR AT LAODICEA DIDN'T TEACH THE WORD OF GOD, BUT WATERED IT DOWN TO PLACATE THE PARISHIONERS. THIS IS WHY THE CHURCH THERE FELL INTO CARNALITY.

FOOTNOTE 8: MEANS "THE CITY OF HERA". MANY AMAZONIANS LIVED HERE. HIERAPOLIS WAS A FAMOUS MEDICAL CITY, LOCATED SIX MILES OUTSIDE OF LAODICEA. THERE WERE NUMEROUS HOT SPRINGS THERE THAT PRODUCED MILDLY HALLUCINOGENIC GASSES. PEOPLE CAME TO BREATH THESE GASSES BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEM TO BE A CURATIVE FOR DISEASE AND SICKNESS. THIS CITY BECAME A CENTER FOR THE LYDIAN AND PHYRIGIAN FALSE GODS. PHILLIP THE EVANGELIST STARTED THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN THIS LOCATION.

FOOTNOTE 9: SHORTENED FORM OF THE NAME "DEMETRIUS", WHO WAS A GENTILE. HE WAS WITH PAUL DURING HIS FIRST ROMAN IMPRISONMENT, SEE PHILEMON 24. AT THIS TIME HE'S A MATURE BELIEVER, THOUGH LATER HE BACKSLIDES INTO APOSTASY, SEE 2 TIMOTHY 4.10. HE DESERTS PAUL DURING HIS SECOND IMPRISONMENT TO GO TO THESSALONICA, SEE 3 JOHN 12

FOOTNOTE 10: NUMPHAS WAS ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN WHO RESISTED APOSTASY IN LAODICEA. THE SEPARATE CHURCH BUILDING WAS NOT STARTED UNTIL THE 3RD CENTURY AD, UP UNTIL THEN ALL CHURCH WAS HELD IN PRIVATE BELIEVER'S HOUSES. AS THE LAODICEAN CHURCH WAS LARGE, NUMPHAS WAS PROBABLY VERY WEALTHY.)

FOOTNOTE 11: WAS A REFERENCE TO THE PASTOR OF LAODICEA. THIS WAS A JAB AT HIS MINISTRY, FOR, RATHER THAN TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD, HE WAS INTO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. HE WAS THE SON OF PHILEMON, THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE OWNER.

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