Colossians 4:2-4

2. Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 3. withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4. that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.

Translation and Paraphrase

2. (All of you) continue constantly in prayer, being watchful in (doing) it, (that you may note the things you should pray for; and pray always) with thanksgiving.
3. Praying together for me also, that God may open for us a door (an opportunity) for the message, that we may speak the mystery (the revealed secret) of Christ, for which also I am in bonds.
4. (Do be praying for me) that I may make it (the mystery) plain (and speak) as I ought to speak,

Notes

1.

Paul always urged the Christians to whom he wrote to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18.

2.

They were to persevere in prayer, to continue stedfastly in it. Acts 2:47; Acts 1:14. Persevere even when the answer is not immediately obvious.

3.

They were to be watching as they prayed. It is so easy to go to sleep. Note Ephesians 6:18; Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 3:2-3. The disciples of Jesus could not watch with Him one hour as he prayed in Gethsemane, but went to sleep. Matthew 26:40-41.

There are many things that we should watch as a preparation to prayer. We should be watching conditions in the world, in the church, in our own lives, in the lives of our brethren; and, most of all, let us be watching what God's word says. Every Christian should be a Gregory! The name Gregory comes from the Greek verb gregoreo, meaning to watch.

4.

In addition to watching, thanksgiving is necessary in prayer. Colossians 4:2. This scripture seems to present thanksgiving as a part of our watching. We watch, not merely so we can be cautious and pray for corrections, but so we can observe things for which we can be thankful. Many things we see are hard to give thanks for, but we can give thanks for everything if we try. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:20.

5.

Paul often requested prayers for his work. Ephesians 6:18-20; Romans 15:30; Philippians 1:19. If Paul needed the prayers of his brethren, we need them even more than he.

6.

The word withal at the start of Colossians 4:3 means together, at once, at the same time.

7.

Paul asked prayers for two things concerning him:

(1)

That God would open to them a door for the word.

(2)

That he might speak as he ought; Colossians 4:4.

8.

Paul did not ask for release from prison, for successful outcome of his trial, for rest and peace, but only for an open door.

It is hypocrisy for us to pray for an open door if we are not fully prepared and willing to enter in through it when God provides it.

9.

The New Testament frequently uses the word door to mean an opportunity to preach. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 3:8; Acts 14:27. Paul needed such a door just at this time. He was in prison and his work was therefore hindered.

10.

Paul requested prayers for us, for himself and for others, doubtless the people named in Colossians 4:7-14.

11.

Paul in Colossians 4:3 refers again to the gospel as the mystery (or the revealed secret) of Christ. Compare notes on Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2; Ephesians 3:3-4; Ephesians 6:19. The term mystery was a favorite expression of Paul'S.

12.

Paul was bound for the sake of the gospel, not for wrongdoing. He was bound in chains. Ephesians 6:20.

13.

Paul wanted prayer that he might speak the message in the right way. A good message can be proclaimed in a bad way. The message should be proclaimed clearly (made manifest), boldly (Ephesians 6:19), and graciously (Colossians 4:6).

14.

Paul wanted to speak as he ought. There is an oughtness lying upon every Christian. We ought to speak, and thus to make the gospel manifest.

Study and Review

78.

What instructions are given about prayer? (Colossians 4:2)

79.

What necessity is there for watching in prayer?

80.

What was to accompany prayer and watching?

81.

For what did Paul request prayers? (Colossians 4:3)

82.

What does door in Colossians 4:3 mean?

83.

What is the mystery of Christ? (Colossians 4:3; Compare Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2)

84.

What was Paul's situation with reference to the mystery of Christ? (Colossians 4:3)

85.

What did Paul want to do with the mystery of Christ? (Colossians 4:4)