Colossians 4:3

Colossians 4:3. Withal praying for us also, for himself, but also for Timothy, Epaphras, and his other companions, since the singular is used immediately after. ‘Withal,' at the same time, while thus persevering in prayer (Colossians 4:2).

That (indicating the purport and purpose of the petition) God would open onto us a door for the word. The figure is a natural one. In Ephesians 6:19, ‘utterance' occurs; but here the reference is to the removal of the hindrances in the way of preaching the gospel, not to the opening of his mouth.

To speak (to this end that I may speak) the mystery of Christ; belonging to Christ, ‘the Divine mystery included in the appearing and redeeming act of Christ, since the Divine decree of Redemption, concealed before it was made known through the gospel, was accomplished in the mission and work of Christ' (Meyer). On the word ‘mystery,' comp. Ephesians 3:3-4.

In behalf of which I am also in bonds (have been and am bound). The imprisonment still continued, limiting, but not destroying his activity; comp. Ephesians 6:20: ‘I am an ambassador in a chain.' To his labors and trials in the gospel, this imprisonment was added, hence ‘also.' He desired liberty, but not for its own sake. Freedom derives its value from the use made of it; it is not a sufficient end in itself.