Catholic Commentary on Colossians 4

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6)

Prayer and Witness

Paul's final instructions cluster around two practices: prayer and witness. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Pray that God may open a door for the word, that Paul may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which he is in chains. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. The image of salt-seasoned speech is precise: salt preserves, enhances flavour, and was used in sacrifices. Speech seasoned with salt is speech that preserves what is good, brings out what is best in the listener, and is offered as an act of worship. The Catechism identifies this as the standard for Christian communication: always oriented toward the truth, never gratuitous, gracious in its delivery (CCC 2500).

A Community of Names

Like Romans 16, Colossians ends with a list of names that opens a window into the lived reality of the early Church. Tychicus carries the letter and will tell them everything about Paul. Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother, one of their own number, accompanies him. Aristarchus, Paul's fellow prisoner, sends greetings. Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. Jesus called Justus. These are the only Jews among Paul's co-workers who have proved a comfort to him. Epaphras, one of them, always wrestling in prayer for them that they may stand firm in all the will of God. Luke, the beloved physician. Demas. The church in Laodicea. Nympha and the church in her house. And Paul's own handwritten greeting: remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Remember my chains. The letter that has soared to the heights of cosmic Christology, that has proclaimed Christ as the one in whom all things hold together, ends with a prisoner asking to be remembered. The cosmic Christ is the personal Christ of Paul's daily imprisonment. Theology and pastoral intimacy belong together.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, make the most of every opportunity. The opportunities Paul means are the moments when an outsider encounters you and asks, explicitly or implicitly, what gives you hope. Salt-seasoned speech does not force its way into conversations; it waits for the opening and then responds with grace and precision. Pray for those openings. Watch for them. Be ready to answer everyone who asks.

Prayer

Lord God, open doors for the word. Let our speech be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Make us wise toward outsiders, ready to answer everyone who asks about the hope we carry. And remember those who are in chains for your Gospel today. Grace be with them all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

4
Prayerful Speech and Actions
1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
 
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, 3 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. 4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
 
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Greetings from Paul’s Fellow Workers
(Romans 16:21–23)
 
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
 
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
 
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God. 13 For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
 
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
Signature and Final Instructions
(1 Corinthians 16:19–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18)
 
15 Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
 
16 After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
 
17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
 
18 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
 
Remember my chains.
 
Grace be with you.* 4:18 BYZ and TR include Amen.

*4:18 4:18 BYZ and TR include Amen.

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