Chapter 4:
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
One important aspect of prayer is watchfulness. Jesus said this:
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Mark 14:37-38]
When Paul discussed spiritual warfare he said this:
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saint... [Ephesians 6:18]
For the Christian prayer is watchfulness and prayer is not effective if that prayer is not watchful.
But prayer is also active; it makes us a spiritual part of every ministry we pray for.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
There are two important points. First, Paul believed that prayer would move God to open doors for the work of the ministry. In Paul’s mind prayer led to results.
Second, Paul’s message focused on clarity. Often times we communicate God’s word thinking about complex issues but Paul focused on making God understood.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
This is general wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to “redeem the time” and to be gracious with our speech. The wise person seasons his speech – he doesn’t season so little that his words are bland and he doesn’t season so much that people spit out what he says. He follows the path of the Preacher who –
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. [Ecclesiastes 12:9-10]
Paul moves on:
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Paul used a team to do ministry. All of these men are faithful men who endured struggles and continued to develop as Christian leaders used them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul was committed not only to team ministry but a network of churches that worked together, gave together and prayed together.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
One important aspect of prayer is watchfulness. Jesus said this:
37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [Mark 14:37-38]
When Paul discussed spiritual warfare he said this:
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saint... [Ephesians 6:18]
For the Christian prayer is watchfulness and prayer is not effective if that prayer is not watchful.
But prayer is also active; it makes us a spiritual part of every ministry we pray for.
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
There are two important points. First, Paul believed that prayer would move God to open doors for the work of the ministry. In Paul’s mind prayer led to results.
Second, Paul’s message focused on clarity. Often times we communicate God’s word thinking about complex issues but Paul focused on making God understood.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
This is general wisdom. Wisdom teaches us to “redeem the time” and to be gracious with our speech. The wise person seasons his speech – he doesn’t season so little that his words are bland and he doesn’t season so much that people spit out what he says. He follows the path of the Preacher who –
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. [Ecclesiastes 12:9-10]
Paul moves on:
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Paul used a team to do ministry. All of these men are faithful men who endured struggles and continued to develop as Christian leaders used them.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul was committed not only to team ministry but a network of churches that worked together, gave together and prayed together.
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