COL 4:1-6

Prayerful Speech and Actions

1Masters, provide what is just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving,

3praying at the same time also for us, that God may open a door for the word to us, to speak the mystery of Christ — on account of which I am also bound —

4so that I may make it plain, as I ought to speak.

5Walk in wisdom toward those outside, buying up the opportune moment.

6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you ought to answer each person.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman household, masters held absolute authority over slaves, a relationship governed by societal norms and Roman law. The instruction to masters to act with 'righteousness and fairness' toward their slaves would have been striking, as it challenged the hierarchical assumptions of the time. The reminder that masters themselves have a 'Master in heaven' reframes earthly authority within a divine accountability. The call to 'redeem the time' reflects a strategic awareness of opportune moments, particularly in interactions with outsiders. Speech seasoned with 'grace and salt' evokes the cultural value of wit and wisdom in conversation, while also emphasizing the need for tact and intentionality. The focus on prayer and thanksgiving aligns with Jewish and early Christian practices of communal intercession, especially for Paul’s mission to proclaim the 'mystery of Christ.' This passage underscores the integration of ethical behavior, strategic engagement, and spiritual discipline in daily life.

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How other translations render this

COL 4:1

KJV: Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
BSB: Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Koinōnos: Masters, provide what is just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

COL 4:2

KJV: Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
BSB: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
Koinōnos: Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving,

COL 4:3

KJV: Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
BSB: as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Koinōnos: praying at the same time also for us, that God may open a door for the word to us, to speak the mystery of Christ — on account of which I am also bound —

COL 4:4

KJV: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
BSB: Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
Koinōnos: so that I may make it plain, as I ought to speak.

COL 4:5

KJV: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
BSB: Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Koinōnos: Walk in wisdom toward those outside, buying up the opportune moment.

COL 4:6

KJV: Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
BSB: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Koinōnos: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you ought to answer each person.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

COL 4:1

[is] equal:The word translated 'is equal' here refers to a state of fairness or equity, implying that masters should treat their slaves with the same justice and impartiality they would expect for themselves.
slaves:The term used here for 'slaves' refers to individuals who were considered property, often born into servitude, and whose lives were entirely subject to their masters.

COL 4:5

time:The word translated 'time' here doesn't just mean a moment on a clock, but rather a critical or opportune moment, a season of special significance that demands careful attention and action.
redeeming.:The word translated 'redeeming' means to 'buy up' or 'buy out,' often with the sense of rescuing something from loss or making the most of an opportunity, like buying out a market.