1. What are the six commands Paul provides the Colossians in the first six verses?
2. Two of the commands include a purpose.
What would be the result if the commands were followed according to the purposes?
The purpose is the futherance of the Gospel.
The results are in verses 3 and 6:
1. What does it mean to have your conversation seasoned with salt?
"Salt, among the Greeks, was the emblem of wit. Here the meaning seems to be, that our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food. It makes it wholesome and palatable. So with our conversation." Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
2. What's the focus of verses 3-6?
What's Paul telling the Colossians to do?
The focus is on spreading the gospel.
He's telling them to pray for it and be ready to act on it.
Look at verse 3 - a prayer for an open door and verse 6 - that you may know how to answer every one.
1. List the 11 people named in verses 7-17.
What are 5 different reasons they are mentioned?
REASON #1 - Messengers are introduced:
- Tychicus in verse 7
- Onesimus in verse 9
REASON #2 - Some send greetings:
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REASON #3 - The Colossians are asked to welcome Barnabus if he comes to them - verse 10
REASON #4 - The Colossians are also asked to give greetings to Nympha - verse 15
REASON #5 - And the Colossians are asked to give a message to Archippus for Paul - verse 17
2. What do we learn of Tychicus from the following verses?
1. What do we learn of Onesimus from the Book of Philemon verses 10-17?
Paul considered him:
Paul exhorted Philemon to welcome and accept him back as a Christian brother and not just as a slave
2. What do the following verses tell us about Aristarchus?
1. What do we learn of Mark, the cousin of Barnabas from the following verses?
After studying these verses, explain why Paul exhorts the Colossians to welcome Mark.
Paul exhorts the Colossians to welcome Mark because he had previously deserted him when he was in their region (Perga in Pamphylia). Obviously from this fourth chapter of Colossians (Colossians 4:10) and the later epistle of II Timothy (II Timothy 4:11), Mark has been restored.
2. What is learned of Demas by studying II Timothy 4:9-11?
Demas also deserted Paul, but he is not asked to join him as Paul asks for Mark in verse 11. Demas loved the world and that is why Paul says he departed the ministry.
1. Some have supposed that Archippus was delinquent in his duties as a Christian leader because he is exhorted by Paul to complete the work he had received from the Lord in verse 4.
Others
say he was simply being encouraged to persevere with all the heresy
around him at Colossea.
From reading John 17:4, what would be the benefit to us from completing the work God has given us?
When we complete the work God gives us to do we bring glory on earth to the Lord God Almighty.
2. Why did Paul tell the Colossians to remember his chains and that he wrote the letter with his own hand?
John Gill's commentary provides an insight into why Paul may have asked the Colossians to remember his bonds or chains:
"Remember my bonds he says, partly that they might be animated to abide by the Gospel, for which, as he had told them before (Colossians 4:3) that he was in bonds; and partly to encourage them, by his example, patiently to endure what afflictions and persecutions soever they should meet with, for the sake of it; as also that they might be moved hereby, to remember him in their prayers, that, if it was the will of God, he might be released, and be yet further useful in preaching the Gospel; or however, that he might be supported in his bonds, and cheerfully bear them, and remain steadfast in his faith in Christ unto the end." John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
As far as Paul mentioning the salutation by his own hand, he probably
had a scribe write the Epistle for him - he was in shackles no doubt and
probably chained to a Roman guard as well - and then affixed his own
signature to validate to the Colossians that it was he Paul writing to
them.