Chapter summary
Paul concludes his lifestyle instructions with a word about prayer and witnessing (4:2-6). He then introduces Tychicus, who will carry this letter (vv. 7-9), and sends greetings from several mutual friends who are currently with him in Rome (vv. 10-15). Finally Paul instructs the Colossians to send the letter on to others when it has been read and studied in Colossae (vv. 16-18).
False Beliefs Lead to Bondage; Freedom through Christ
Paul reminds the believers that receiving Christ is only the beginning of the Christian life. There must be continual growth through building the life on him. The Colossians know that God has freed them from the powers of evil. If, then, they turn and accept a religion powered by the unseen spiritual forces of evil, they are placing themselves in bondage once again. Christ needs no angelic powers to help him, for the fulness of God's nature exists in him in its totality. Those in Christ likewise need no angelic powers to help him, for they are already complete in him.
Paul gives an illustration that likens Christian salvation to the common Jewish rite of circumcision. Circumcision was literally a cutting away of the flesh. Salvation through Christ is also a cutting away of the flesh, though in this case 'flesh' refers not to part of the physical body but to sinful human nature. Christians have been freed from the power of the old nature. A second illustration likens salvation to the rite of baptism. Union with Christ means the death and burial of the old life, and the rising again to new life. The Colossian believers had once been spiritually dead. Being Gentiles they did not even have the Jewish covenant sign of circumcision to give them hope of better things to come. Yet God forgave them their sins.
The law of God shows up human sinfulness and demands death as the punishment. It is like a book that records sinners' debts, and then demands their death because they cannot pay those debts. But God forgave the sins and wiped out the debts, because Christ paid the full penalty on behalf of repentant sinners. He destroyed the power of the law—as if he took that book with its record of sins and debts and nailed it to the cross with himself. Therefore, believers need no longer fear the power of the law. Nor need they fear the power of the spiritual forces of evil, for Christ has conquered them, taken away their power and displayed his victory over them.
Christian freedom in practice
In view of the freedom that Christ has won for them, the Colossian believers must not listen to those who try to force them to obey the rules and regulations of the Israelite law. Practices taught in the law may be compared to shadows. They are not solid or permanent, but their existence enables the viewer to know that there is some real object that casts the shadows. That real object is Jesus Christ. Now that he has come, the shadows are of no further interest. The ceremonies of the law have no further use. Neither should Christians listen to those who want to show their 'superior' knowledge by mixing their own philosophies with the gospel. Christian life and growth come from God through a direct relationship between the believer and Christ. There is no scale of angelic beings forming a ladder to link Christians with God.
Having been set free from the bondage of sin through Christ's death, Christians should not get into bondage again by becoming slaves of religious regulations that people want to impose upon them. To make laws to live by is the way of the worldly person, not the way of the Christian. No matter how clever and religious those laws may appear, they will not succeed in controlling the desires of the body.
Because they have died to sin, Christians are not in bondage to things of the world as the Gnostics are. Christians have been raised with Christ to new life in a higher world, where their desires and conduct are like Christ's. Through Christ they have life directly in God. In contrast to the Gnostics, they do not try to climb a ladder of countless intermediate spirit beings. Neither the Gnostics nor any other unbelievers can understand this life, because the life is 'in Christ' and therefore is hidden from their view. Its true character will be fully shown on the day when Christ's glory is revealed.
Old and New habits
Not only do Christians believe that through Christ's death they have died to sin, but they must also show it to be true in their daily lives. They must make every effort to put away the old selfish habits that God hates, from obvious sins such as sexual immorality to hidden sins such as greed and other uncontrolled desires. They must control the tongue and discipline personal behavior. This renewing of their lives is not something that happens only once. It must go on all the time, so that more of the old nature is conquered and the new person is more like God.
Since the goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ, there is no way that Christians can be divided into superior or inferior classes according to race, culture or social status. All are equal in him, united in him, and should strive to be like him. Believers should put off old sinful habits as they would put off dirty clothes. They should put on new good habits as they would put on fresh clean clothes. They should have a new attitude, which thinks of others before thinking of self. It is as if the new 'clothes' they have just put on are bound together by love, so that their appearance is one of genuine beauty and completeness. Within the church there are people of various personalities and social backgrounds, but they can all live together in harmony through allowing the peace-loving spirit of Christ to guide their actions. Through teaching and singing they can build one another up in the faith. At all times and in all places they should live and act as new people in Christ.
Life in the home and in society
Harmony in the home depends on the husband's showing understanding love to his wife, and the wife's showing loyal submission to her husband. Children are to be obedient to their parents, but parents must treat their children with understanding and not be harsh or unreasonable. When employees work for their employers as if they were working for the Lord Christ, they will produce work of good quality. Christian employers, on their part, must reward their employees honestly, knowing that they have a master, God, and he will treat them as they treat others.
Christians must be regular and persistent in prayer. They must keep alert as they pray, for they can be easily distracted. They should specifically pray for the servants of God with whom they are partners in the gospel, that God's messengers may have opportunities to make known his message, and that they may do so clearly. Besides praying for the activity of others, Christians should be careful of their own conduct, and make sure their speech is pleasant to listen to and sensible. In this way they will attract, and not repel, those who are not believers.
1) Christian employers are to be just and fair to their employees, because Jesus is in heaven watching.
2) We are to prayer continually, being attentive; offering thanksgiving when praying.
3) We are to pray that we can give witness to the work of Jesus on the cross and our lives.
4) We should be able to make the will of God known to all men; our witness should be simple and clear.
5) We should be wise in our dealings with people outside of the body of Christ. Because it is a opportunity to give a witness of Christ.
6) Our words to those outside the body of Christ should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
7) Those sent of God should be trustworthy, faithful and willing to work in any capacity that gives glory to God and furthers His plan.
8) We should be encouraging (giving courage) to each other.
9) As Christians we should be able to give comfort to others.
10) Some believers are called to be prayer warriors (those that powerfully pray).
11) Those with the charge to pray should pray for the maturity and confidence of believers in knowing God’s will.
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