1
Οἱ κύριοι, τὸ δίκαιον καὶ τὴν ἰσότητα τοῖς δούλοις παρέχεσθε, εἰδότες ὅτι καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔχετε κύριον ἐν οὐρανῷ.
Masters, render to your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Household code (conclusion)asyndetonThe last rung of the household code (3:18–4:1): masters are addressed as those who themselves stand under a heavenly Master, so their authority is accountable and must be exercised with justice and equity.
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (nominative for vocative)
κύριοιmastersNominativenominative of address (direct address)κύριος: 'lord, master'; here the household head/slave-owner — deliberately the same word used of Christ in the next clause, sharpening the accountability.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
δίκαιονwhat is justAccusativedirect object (substantival adjective)δίκαιος: 'just, righteous'; the neuter τὸ δίκαιον = 'that which is right' — what is owed in justice.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἰσότηταfairness/equityAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἰσότης: 'equality, fairness'; from ἴσος ('equal') — equitable treatment, perhaps even hinting at the equal footing of master and slave before God.
τοῖςto theDativearticle
δούλοιςslavesDativeindirect object (dat. of recipient)δοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; those under the master's authority — the addressees of 3:22–25, now answered.
παρέχεσθεrender/grantPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · παρέχωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (settled practice)παρέχω (mid.): 'provide, grant, render'; the middle suggests rendering from one's own resources/obligation — make it your practice to supply.
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcausal participle (ground of the command)→ intensive perfect (present knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present force); the settled awareness that grounds just conduct — masters act rightly because they know who their own Master is.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἔχετεhavePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the masters possess a Master — the same relation they impose on slaves now turned back on them.
κύριονa MasterAccusativedirect objectκύριος: 'Lord, Master'; deliberately echoing v.1a — earthly masters answer to the heavenly Lord.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
οὐρανῷheavenDativedat. of place (location of the Master)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; the locus of Christ's enthroned lordship (cf. 3:1) — the perspective from which all earthly authority is relativized.
2
Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε, γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ,
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving,
Exhortation (prayer)asyndetonA fresh string of exhortations opens: the foundational call is to persevering prayer, qualified by two participles — vigilance and thankfulness — that characterize how the praying is done.
ΤῇtheDativearticle
προσευχῇprayerDativedat. complement of προσκαρτερεῖτεπροσευχή: 'prayer'; the general activity of prayer (fronted for emphasis), to which they are to give themselves.
προσκαρτερεῖτεdevote yourselvesPres Act Impv 2 Pl · προσκαρτερέωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (persistent habit)προσκαρτερέω: 'persist, hold fast to, be devoted to' (πρός + καρτερέω, 'be steadfast'); resolute perseverance, the same word for the early church's devotion to prayer (Acts 2:42).
γρηγοροῦντεςkeeping alertPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γρηγορέωadverbial participle (manner)→ present (concurrent)γρηγορέω: 'be awake, watchful, vigilant'; wakeful alertness in prayer (cf. Gethsemane, Mark 14:38) — not drowsy or perfunctory.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν (refers to prayer)
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
εὐχαριστίᾳthanksgivingDativedat. of accompaniment (manner)εὐχαριστία: 'thanksgiving, gratitude'; a recurring keynote of the letter (1:12; 2:7; 3:15–17) — prayer is to be saturated with thanks.
3
προσευχόμενοι ἅμα καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν, ἵνα ὁ θεὸς ἀνοίξῃ ἡμῖν θύραν τοῦ λόγου, λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ, δι' ὃ καὶ δέδεμαι,
praying at the same time 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 also in chains,
Specific petitionasyndetonThe general call to prayer narrows to a request for Paul's mission: a participle ('praying') introduces a ἵνα-petition that God would grant an open door for the word — the proclamation of the mystery for which Paul is imprisoned.
προσευχόμενοιprayingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προσεύχομαιadverbial participle (means/attendant)→ present (concurrent)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the participle resumes the imperative of v.2, specifying a further object of their praying — Paul himself.
ἅμαat the same timeadverb (simultaneity)ἅμα: 'at the same time, together'; their prayer for themselves is to include, simultaneously, prayer for Paul's mission.
καὶalsoadverbial/adjunctive conjunction
περὶforpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of περί
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose of prayer)
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the one who grants the open door — mission opportunity is God's gift, sought in prayer.
ἀνοίξῃmay openAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristἀνοίγω: 'open'; with θύραν a stock metaphor for an opportunity to preach (cf. 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12).
ἡμῖνto usDativedat. of advantage
θύρανa doorAccusativedirect objectθύρα: 'door'; metaphor for an opening/opportunity — here a door 'for the word.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
λόγουwordGenitivegenitive of purpose/reference ('a door for the word')λόγος: 'word, message'; the gospel message — the door is opened so that the word may go out.
λαλῆσαιto declareAor Act Inf · λαλέωepexegetical infinitive (purpose)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak, declare'; the purpose of the open door — to speak out the mystery.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μυστήριονmysteryAccusativeobject of λαλῆσαιμυστήριον: 'mystery'; a Colossians keyword (1:26–27; 2:2) — the once-hidden, now-revealed plan of God, namely Christ for the nations.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of content/apposition (the mystery = Christ)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the mystery is Christ himself (cf. 1:27; 2:2), the content of the proclamation.
δι'on account ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διά)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
δέδεμαιI am in chainsPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · δέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ intensive perfect (resultant state of bondage)δέω: 'bind, tie'; perfect 'I have been bound' = 'I am a prisoner' — Paul's imprisonment is the direct consequence of preaching this mystery.
4
ἵνα φανερώσω αὐτὸ ὡς δεῖ με λαλῆσαι.
that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak.
Purpose (of the prayer)ἵναA second ἵνα specifies the further aim of the requested open door: not mere opportunity but clear, faithful disclosure of the mystery — proclamation as Paul is obligated to make it.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
φανερώσωI may make clearAor Act Subj 1 Sg · φανερόωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristφανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal, make plain'; the once-hidden mystery (1:26) is to be openly disclosed — clear proclamation, not obscurity.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (refers to the mystery)
ὡςasconjunction (manner/comparison)
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (obligation)→ stative present (binding necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, one must'; impersonal — the divine obligation laid on Paul to preach as he should (cf. 1 Cor 9:16).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (with δεῖ)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; the manner of speaking that duty requires — boldly, clearly, faithfully.
5
Ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω, τὸν καιρὸν ἐξαγοραζόμενοι.
Walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time.
Exhortation (toward outsiders)asyndetonThe focus turns outward: the community's manner of life before non-Christians is to be wise, with a participle adding the urgency of seizing every opportunity.
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedat. of manner (the sphere of conduct)σοφία: 'wisdom'; a Colossians theme (1:9, 28; 2:3; 3:16) — practical, discerning conduct, here directed at the watching world.
περιπατεῖτεwalkPres Act Impv 2 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (ongoing way of life)περιπατέω: lit. 'walk about,' a Hebraic idiom for one's whole manner of life/conduct (cf. 1:10; 2:6; 3:7).
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (relation/orientation)
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ἔξωoutsideadverb (substantized: 'the outsiders')ἔξω: 'outside'; οἱ ἔξω = those outside the church, non-believers (cf. 1 Cor 5:12–13; 1 Thess 4:12).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
καιρὸνtime/opportunityAccusativedirect object of the participleκαιρός: 'opportune time, season'; not mere chronological time (χρόνος) but the strategic opportunity to be seized.
ἐξαγοραζόμενοιredeeming/buying upPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐξαγοράζωadverbial participle (means/manner)→ present (continuous)ἐξαγοράζω: 'buy up, redeem' (ἐκ + ἀγοράζω, 'buy in the marketplace'); the middle 'making the most of' — snapping up every opportunity like a shrewd buyer.
6
ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι, ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος, εἰδέναι πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ ἀποκρίνεσθαι.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Exhortation (speech)asyndetonWise outward conduct is specified in terms of speech: gracious, well-seasoned words, with an infinitive of result/purpose — the goal is the discernment to give a fitting answer to anyone.
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςspeech/wordNominativesubject (verbless clause; 'let be' supplied)λόγος: here 'speech, conversation'; the believer's everyday discourse, the chief instrument of witness to outsiders.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (time/frequency)πάντοτε: 'always, at all times'; gracious speech is to be the unbroken norm, not occasional.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner/quality)
χάριτιgraceDativedat. of manner (predicate quality)χάρις: 'grace, graciousness, charm'; speech marked by graciousness — winsome and gracious, perhaps also conveying God's grace.
ἅλατιwith saltDativedat. of means/instrumentἅλας: 'salt'; a metaphor for what preserves and gives savor — speech that is tasteful, pungent, and wholesome, not insipid or corrupt (cf. 3:8).
ἠρτυμένοςseasonedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀρτύωpredicate participle (attributive to λόγος)→ intensive perfect (settled, seasoned state)ἀρτύω: 'season, make ready' (of food); the perfect pictures speech kept perpetually well-seasoned with the salt of grace and wit.
εἰδέναιto knowPerf Act Inf · οἶδαinfinitive of result/purpose→ intensive perfect (state of knowing)οἶδα: 'know'; the practical aim — that you may know, in each encounter, the fitting reply.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (indir. question)
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (obligation)→ stative presentδεῖ: 'it is necessary, one ought'; the appropriate, obligatory manner of response in each case.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἑνὶto oneDativedat. (with ἑκάστῳ: 'to each one')εἷς: 'one'; ἑνὶ ἑκάστῳ = 'to each single individual' — a tailored, person-by-person answer.
ἑκάστῳeachDativedat. indirect object of ἀποκρίνεσθαιἕκαστος: 'each, every'; the answer is to be fitted to each particular person, not one-size-fits-all.
ἀποκρίνεσθαιto answerPres Mid Inf · ἀποκρίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (with δεῖ)→ customary presentἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer, reply'; readiness to give an apt response — anticipating the believer's witness and apologetic before outsiders.
7
Τὰ κατ' ἐμὲ πάντα γνωρίσει ὑμῖν Τυχικὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς καὶ πιστὸς διάκονος καὶ σύνδουλος ἐν κυρίῳ,
All my circumstances Tychicus will make known to you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow slave in the Lord,
Personal news / commendationasyndetonThe letter turns to its bearers. Tychicus is introduced and warmly commended with a triple title; he will convey orally what the letter leaves unsaid about Paul's situation.
Τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
κατ'concerningpreposition + accusative (reference)
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of κατάτὰ κατ' ἐμέ: idiom, 'the things concerning me' = my circumstances/affairs.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (direct object)
γνωρίσειwill make knownFut Act Indic 3 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb→ predictive futureγνωρίζω: 'make known, inform'; the verb earlier used of revealing the mystery (1:27) here of relaying personal news.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ΤυχικὸςTychicusNominativesubjectΤυχικός: Tychicus, a co-worker from Asia (Acts 20:4), bearer of this letter and of Ephesians (Eph 6:21).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀγαπητὸςbelovedNominativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the first of three honorific descriptors commending Tychicus to the Colossians.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Τυχικόςἀδελφός: 'brother'; the family bond of the faith.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πιστὸςfaithfulNominativeattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful, trustworthy'; reliability in ministry — the same praise given Epaphras (1:7) and Onesimus (v.9).
διάκονοςminister/servantNominativeappositionδιάκονος: 'servant, minister'; one who renders service — here gospel ministry.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σύνδουλοςfellow slaveNominativeappositionσύνδουλος: 'fellow slave' (σύν + δοῦλος); shared servitude to the same Lord — Paul puts himself and Tychicus on one level.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (qualifies the titles)κύριος: 'Lord'; the whole relationship of brotherhood and service is grounded 'in the Lord.'
8
ὃν ἔπεμψα πρὸς ὑμᾶς εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο, ἵνα γνῶτε τὰ περὶ ἡμῶν καὶ παρακαλέσῃ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν,
whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts,
Purpose of sendingὃνA relative clause states why Tychicus is being sent: a double ἵνα-purpose — to inform them of Paul's situation and to encourage their hearts.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔπεμψα)
ἔπεμψαI have sentAor Act Indic 1 Sg · πέμπωmain verb→ epistolary aorist (from the readers' standpoint)πέμπω: 'send'; an epistolary aorist — 'I am sending' from Paul's vantage, 'I have sent' from theirs as they read.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)
αὐτὸthis veryAccusativeintensive adjective (with τοῦτο)αὐτό: intensive, 'this very (thing)'; εἰς αὐτὸ τοῦτο = 'for this very purpose.'
τοῦτοpurposeAccusativeobject of εἰς (anticipates the ἵνα)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
γνῶτεyou may knowAor Act Subj 2 Pl · γινώσκωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristγινώσκω: 'come to know, learn'; that you may learn how things stand with us.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of περίτὰ περὶ ἡμῶν: 'the things about us' = our affairs/state — parallel to τὰ κατ' ἐμέ (v.7).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παρακαλέσῃhe may encourageAor Act Subj 3 Sg · παρακαλέωsubjunctive (coordinate ἵνא clause)→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω: 'comfort, encourage, exhort' (παρά + καλέω, 'call alongside'); the news is meant to hearten, not merely inform.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect objectκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner person — the seat of courage and confidence to be strengthened.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
9
σὺν Ὀνησίμῳ τῷ πιστῷ καὶ ἀγαπητῷ ἀδελφῷ, ὅς ἐστιν ἐξ ὑμῶν· πάντα ὑμῖν γνωρίσουσιν τὰ ὧδε.
together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you; they will make known to you all that is happening here.
Co-bearer of the letterσὺνTychicus is paired with Onesimus — the runaway slave of Philemon, now 'faithful and beloved brother' and a Colossian himself; the two together will give a full report.
σὺνtogether withpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
ὈνησίμῳOnesimusDativeobject of σύνὈνήσιμος: Onesimus ('useful'), Philemon's runaway slave converted by Paul (Philemon 10–11); his Colossian origin links this letter to Philemon.
τῷtheDativearticle
πιστῷfaithfulDativeattributive adjectiveπιστός: 'faithful'; the once-'useless' slave (Philemon 11) is now a trustworthy brother.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀγαπητῷbelovedDativeattributive adjectiveἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the same warm title given Tychicus (v.7) — Onesimus is fully embraced as a peer.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativeapposition to Ὀνησίμῳἀδελφός: 'brother'; a slave named as a brother — the social leveling of the gospel made concrete.
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, rel. clause)→ stative present
ἐξof/frompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐκ (partitive/origin)ἐξ ὑμῶν: 'from among you' — Onesimus is a native Colossian, one of their own.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (direct object)
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
γνωρίσουσινthey will make knownFut Act Indic 3 Pl · γνωρίζωmain verb (plural: both men)→ predictive futureγνωρίζω: 'make known'; now plural — Tychicus and Onesimus together will report everything.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ὧδεhereadverb (place; substantized 'matters here')ὧδε: 'here'; τὰ ὧδε = 'the things here,' Paul's circumstances at the place of writing.
10
Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἀρίσταρχος ὁ συναιχμάλωτός μου, καὶ Μᾶρκος ὁ ἀνεψιὸς Βαρναβᾶ, περὶ οὗ ἐλάβετε ἐντολάς, ἐὰν ἔλθῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς δέξασθε αὐτόν,
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received instructions — if he comes to you, welcome him —
Greetings from companionsasyndetonThe list of greetings from Paul's circle begins: Aristarchus and Mark, with a parenthetical charge to receive Mark warmly should he arrive — a quiet sign of his rehabilitation after the earlier rift (Acts 15:37–39).
ἈσπάζεταιgreetsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (fronted)→ customary present (epistolary greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, salute'; the conventional verb of epistolary greetings, here heading the list of well-wishers.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἈρίσταρχοςAristarchusNominativesubjectἈρίσταρχος: Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2), Paul's traveling companion.
ὁtheNominativearticle
συναιχμάλωτόςfellow prisonerNominativeapposition to Ἀρίσταρχοςσυναιχμάλωτος: 'fellow captive/prisoner' (σύν + αἰχμάλωτος, lit. 'taken by the spear'); shared imprisonment with Paul.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΜᾶρκοςMarkNominativesubject (coordinate)Μᾶρκος: John Mark (Acts 12:12, 25), once the cause of Paul and Barnabas's split (Acts 15:37–39), now restored and useful (2 Tim 4:11).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀνεψιὸςcousinNominativeapposition to Μᾶρκοςἀνεψιός: 'cousin'; the only NT occurrence — clarifies Mark's kinship to Barnabas.
Βαρναβᾶof BarnabasGenitivegenitive of relationshipΒαρναβᾶς: Barnabas ('son of encouragement'), Paul's former missionary partner (Acts 4:36; 13–15).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of περί)
ἐλάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'receive, get'; they had already been given instructions regarding Mark — the details now lost to us.
ἐντολάςinstructionsAccusativedirect objectἐντολή: 'command, instruction'; here practical directions, likely about receiving Mark.
ἐὰνifconjunction (conditional, 3rd class)
ἔλθῃhe comesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιsubjunctive (protasis of condition)→ ingressive aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the condition of a possible visit by Mark.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
δέξασθεwelcomeAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · δέχομαιmain verb (apodosis: imperative)→ ingressive aorist (do receive him)δέχομαι: 'receive, welcome'; a warm reception is commanded — Paul vouches for the once-doubted Mark.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
11
καὶ Ἰησοῦς ὁ λεγόμενος Ἰοῦστος, οἱ ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς οὗτοι μόνοι συνεργοὶ εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ, οἵτινες ἐγενήθησάν μοι παρηγορία.
and Jesus who is called Justus — these are the only ones of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
Greetings (Jewish co-workers)καὶA third greeter, Jesus Justus, completes the Jewish-Christian group; Paul notes poignantly that these three are his only Jewish co-workers, and that they have brought him comfort.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativesubject (coordinate)Ἰησοῦς: a common Jewish name (= Joshua); distinguished by his surname Justus to avoid confusion with the Lord.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λεγόμενοςcalledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattributive participle→ present (customary designation)λέγω (pass.): 'be called, named'; introduces the Latin surname by which he was known.
ἸοῦστοςJustusNominativepredicate nom. / appositionἸοῦστος: Justus, a common Latin surname ('upright'); otherwise unknown beyond this verse.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὄντεςbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival participle ('those who are')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; οἱ ὄντες ἐκ περιτομῆς = 'those who are of the circumcision,' i.e. Jewish Christians.
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (origin/category)
περιτομῆςthe circumcisionGenitiveobject of ἐκ (category)περιτομή: 'circumcision'; metonymy for Jews/Jewish Christians (cf. 2:11; Gal 2:12).
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (resumptive demonstrative)
μόνοιonlyNominativepredicate adjectiveμόνος: 'only, alone'; a poignant note — only these three Jewish believers are among Paul's present co-workers.
συνεργοὶfellow workersNominativepredicate nominativeσυνεργός: 'fellow worker, co-laborer' (σύν + ἔργον); Paul's regular term for ministry colleagues (cf. Rom 16:3, 9, 21).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/sphere)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the work)βασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the kingdom of God as the aim of their labor (cf. 1:13).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: indefinite/qualitative relative, 'who indeed' — characterizing them as the kind who proved a comfort.
ἐγενήθησάνthey became/have beenAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; they came to be a source of comfort to Paul in his imprisonment.
μοιto meDativedat. of advantage
παρηγορίαa comfortNominativepredicate nominativeπαρηγορία: 'comfort, consolation' (the only NT occurrence; a medical term for soothing/relief); these few were a balm to Paul.
12
ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἐπαφρᾶς ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ἵνα σταθῆτε τέλειοι καὶ πεπληροφορημένοι ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ θεοῦ.
Epaphras greets you, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, always striving on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Greetings (Epaphras)asyndetonEpaphras, the Colossians' own founder-evangelist (1:7), is singled out at length; his wrestling intercession that they stand mature and assured models the very prayer urged in vv.2–4.
ἀσπάζεταιgreetsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ customary present (epistolary)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; resumes the greeting formula of v.10 for the second group.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἘπαφρᾶςEpaphrasNominativesubjectἘπαφρᾶς: Epaphras (short for Epaphroditus), the evangelist who founded the Colossian church (1:7) and Paul's source for its situation.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (origin)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐκ (origin)ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν: 'the one from among you' — Epaphras, like Onesimus (v.9), is a Colossian.
δοῦλοςslaveNominativeapposition to Ἐπαφρᾶςδοῦλος: 'slave, bondservant'; a title of honor Paul elsewhere claims for himself (Rom 1:1) — here applied to Epaphras alone among the greeters.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession (ownership)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (frequency)πάντοτε: 'always'; the constancy of Epaphras's intercession echoes the call to persevere in prayer (v.2).
ἀγωνιζόμενοςstrivingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀγωνίζομαιadverbial participle (manner)→ present (continuous)ἀγωνίζομαι: 'struggle, contend, agonize' (from the athletic/military ἀγών); intercession portrayed as strenuous spiritual labor (cf. 1:29; 2:1).
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
προσευχαῖςprayersDativedat. of sphere (arena of the striving)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the locus of Epaphras's struggle on their behalf.
ἵναthatconjunction (content of prayer)
σταθῆτεyou may standAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · ἵστημιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aorist (be made to stand firm)ἵστημι (pass.): 'stand, be established'; the passive hints that God establishes them — the aim of the wrestling prayer is their firm standing.
τέλειοιmature/completeNominativepredicate adjectiveτέλειος: 'mature, complete, perfect'; the goal of Paul's whole ministry (1:28) — full Christian maturity, against the false teachers' claims.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πεπληροφορημένοιfully assuredPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πληροφορέωpredicate participle (periphrastic w/ σταθῆτε)→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πληροφορέω: 'fill completely, fully assure/convince'; the perfect denotes a settled state of full conviction — no room for the doubts the heresy sowed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective
θελήματιwillDativedat. of sphere (object of assurance)θέλημα: 'will'; God's whole will — knowing and being assured in it is the mark of maturity (cf. 1:9).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive
13
μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅτι ἔχει πολὺν πόνον ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ καὶ τῶν ἐν Ἱεραπόλει.
For I testify of him that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
CorroborationγάρPaul personally vouches for Epaphras's toil — extending beyond Colossae to the sister churches of the Lycus Valley, Laodicea and Hierapolis.
μαρτυρῶI testifyPres Act Indic 1 Sg · μαρτυρέωmain verb→ customary present (solemn affirmation)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify'; Paul lends his apostolic testimony to Epaphras's diligence.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτῷof himDativedat. of reference (concerning him)
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of testimony)
ἔχειhe hasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ stative present (ἔχει πόνον = he labors)ἔχω: 'have'; with πόνον the idiom 'he has much toil/labor' = he works hard.
πολὺνmuchAccusativeattributive adjective
πόνονtoil/laborAccusativedirect objectπόνος: 'hard labor, toil, distress'; strenuous, even painful effort — the cost of Epaphras's care for the three churches.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (advantage)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΛαοδικείᾳLaodiceaDativedat. of placeΛαοδίκεια: Laodicea, a wealthy city ~10 miles from Colossae in the Lycus Valley (cf. Rev 3:14–22).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes prep. phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ἹεραπόλειHierapolisDativedat. of placeἹεράπολις: Hierapolis, the third Lycus Valley city near Colossae and Laodicea, famed for its hot springs.
14
ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Λουκᾶς ὁ ἰατρὸς ὁ ἀγαπητὸς καὶ Δημᾶς.
Luke the beloved physician greets you, and Demas.
Greetings (Luke and Demas)asyndetonTwo final greeters: Luke, warmly titled 'the beloved physician,' and Demas, named bare — a brevity that reads poignantly beside his later desertion (2 Tim 4:10).
ἀσπάζεταιgreetsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb→ customary present (epistolary)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; the greeting verb a third time, now for the two Gentile companions.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ΛουκᾶςLukeNominativesubjectΛουκᾶς: Luke, the author of the third Gospel and Acts, Paul's faithful companion to the end (2 Tim 4:11; Philemon 24).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἰατρὸςphysicianNominativeapposition to Λουκᾶςἰατρός: 'physician, doctor'; the sole NT note of Luke's profession — perhaps why he attended Paul's imprisonments.
ὁtheNominativearticle (second attributive)
ἀγαπητὸςbelovedNominativeattributive adjective (in second attributive position)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; the same affectionate title given Tychicus and Onesimus, here crowning Luke.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΔημᾶςDemasNominativesubject (coordinate)Δημᾶς: Demas, named here without epithet; later he 'loved this present world' and deserted Paul (2 Tim 4:10).
15
Ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ Νύμφαν καὶ τὴν κατ' οἶκον αὐτῆς ἐκκλησίαν.
Greet the brothers in Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her house.
Greetings to be conveyedasyndetonThe direction of greeting reverses: the Colossians are to convey Paul's greeting to the Laodicean believers, to Nympha, and to the congregation meeting in her home.
ἈσπάσασθεgreetAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist (convey a greeting)ἀσπάζομαι: 'greet'; now imperative — the readers are charged to pass on Paul's greeting to others.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ΛαοδικείᾳLaodiceaDativedat. of placeΛαοδίκεια: Laodicea; the neighboring church, closely linked with Colossae throughout this section.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; here the Laodicean Christians as a body.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΝύμφανNymphaAccusativedirect object (coordinate)Νύμφα: Nympha; a Laodicean host of a house-church (the pronoun αὐτῆς here taken as feminine, 'her').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κατ'in/atpreposition + accusative (distributive/place)κατ' οἶκον: 'at house' = 'in the house'; the standard phrase for a house-church (cf. Rom 16:5; Philemon 2).
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of κατάοἶκος: 'house, household'; the home that hosted the congregation — the normal early-church meeting place.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκκλησίανchurchAccusativedirect object (with τὴν … ἐκκλησίαν)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church' (lit. 'called-out ones'); here a single house-congregation, not the city-wide body.
16
καὶ ὅταν ἀναγνωσθῇ παρ' ὑμῖν ἡ ἐπιστολή, ποιήσατε ἵνα καὶ ἐν τῇ Λαοδικέων ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀναγνωσθῇ, καὶ τὴν ἐκ Λαοδικείας ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀναγνῶτε.
And when this letter has been read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Instruction (letter exchange)καὶA directive for the circulation of apostolic letters: this epistle is to be read in Laodicea too, and the Colossians are to read the letter coming from Laodicea — an early glimpse of letters shared between churches.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when'; introduces the indefinite temporal clause — once the reading has occurred.
ἀναγνωσθῇhas been readAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read (aloud)'; letters were read publicly to the assembled congregation.
παρ'amongpreposition + dative (location/presence)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of παρά
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιστολήletterNominativesubject (of ἀναγνωσθῇ)ἐπιστολή: 'letter, epistle'; ἡ ἐπιστολή = 'this letter,' i.e. Colossians itself.
ποιήσατεsee to itAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (ingressive command)ποιέω: 'do, make'; ποιήσατε ἵνα = 'see to it that, bring it about that' — an idiom of arranging.
ἵναthatconjunction (content of ποιήσατε)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
Λαοδικέωνof the LaodiceansGenitivegenitive of relationship (the Laodiceans' church)Λαοδικεύς: 'Laodicean'; the plural genitive 'of the Laodiceans' names the congregation there.
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativedat. of place (with ἐν)ἐκκλησία: 'church, assembly'; the Laodicean congregation.
ἀναγνωσθῇit may be readAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read (aloud)'; the verb repeated — the same letter is to be read publicly in Laodicea as well.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes prep. phrase: 'the letter')
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ΛαοδικείαςLaodiceaGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the letter)ἡ ἐκ Λαοδικείας (ἐπιστολή): 'the (letter) from Laodicea' — a lost letter Paul wrote, now sent on from there; not a letter from the Laodiceans.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose; resumes ποιήσατε)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
ἀναγνῶτεmay readAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀναγινώσκωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristἀναγινώσκω: 'read'; the Colossians are likewise to read the Laodicean letter — mutual circulation of Paul's correspondence.
17
καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ· Βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς.
And say to Archippus, "See to the ministry that you received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."
Charge to ArchippusκαὶA pointed personal charge, relayed through the congregation: Archippus is to attend to and complete the ministry entrusted to him in the Lord — public accountability for a particular task.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἴπατεsayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (do tell him)λέγω: 'say, tell'; the congregation is to deliver Paul's message to Archippus.
Ἀρχίππῳto ArchippusDativeindirect objectἌρχιππος: Archippus, called Paul's 'fellow soldier' (Philemon 2); perhaps holding a leadership role in Colossae or Laodicea.
Βλέπεsee to/attend toPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βλέπωmain verb (imperative, direct speech)→ customary present (ongoing attentiveness)βλέπω: 'look at, watch, see to'; here 'keep an eye on, attend to' — give continual heed to your ministry.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
διακονίανministry/serviceAccusativedirect objectδιακονία: 'service, ministry'; the specific commission entrusted to Archippus — its nature unspecified.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρέλαβες)
παρέλαβεςyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'receive, take over' (esp. of a tradition or charge handed on); the ministry was given to him, not self-chosen.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the ministry is 'in the Lord')κύριος: 'Lord'; the commission was received within the sphere of the Lord's authority — and is owed to him.
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose of Βλέπε)
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object (refers to διακονίαν)
πληροῖςyou may fulfillPres Act Subj 2 Sg · πληρόωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ customary present (keep fulfilling it)πληρόω: 'fill, complete, fulfill'; carry the ministry through to full discharge — the present aspect urges ongoing faithfulness.
18
Ὁ ἀσπασμὸς τῇ ἐμῇ χειρὶ Παύλου. μνημονεύετέ μου τῶν δεσμῶν. ἡ χάρις μεθ' ὑμῶν.
The greeting is in my own hand, Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Autograph and benedictionasyndetonPaul takes up the pen for the closing: an authenticating signature, a final plea to remember his imprisonment, and the terse grace-benediction that seals the letter.
ὉtheNominativearticle
ἀσπασμὸςgreetingNominativesubject (verbless clause)ἀσπασμός: 'greeting, salutation'; the noun cognate to ἀσπάζομαι — the closing salutation Paul writes himself.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐμῇmy ownDativepossessive adjective (attributive)ἐμός: 'my, my own'; the emphatic possessive stresses that Paul writes this himself.
χειρὶhandDativedat. of means/instrumentχείρ: 'hand'; the autograph note — Paul takes the pen from his amanuensis to authenticate the letter (cf. 1 Cor 16:21; 2 Thess 3:17).
Παύλουof PaulGenitivegenitive of apposition/possession (the hand of Paul)Παῦλος: Paul; the signature naming the author.
μνημονεύετέrememberPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μνημονεύωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (keep remembering)μνημονεύω: 'remember, keep in mind' (+ genitive); a plea to hold his imprisonment in their thoughts and prayers.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
δεσμῶνchains/bondsGenitivegenitive object of μνημονεύετεδεσμός: 'bond, chain, imprisonment'; the visible cost of his apostleship for the gospel (cf. v.3) — the letter's most personal touch.
ἡtheNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (benediction; 'be' supplied)χάρις: 'grace'; the customary closing benediction, bracketing the letter with the grace of its opening (1:2).
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of μετά