NOTES for Col 4:5

⁵Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Interesting, who Paul is calling "without"? And what does he mean by calling to communicate with these "without" reasonably, using any possibility (that implies the Greek corresponding expression, which means exactly "to use time the best way")? Usually in the early Christian Church, were called "without" all those who did not belong to it. If that is the case, then it turns out that Paul recommends to treat reasonably these people, who have no relation with the Church. But in what sense he says it?

Obviously, people not belonging to the Church, could either sympathize with the Christians, by being interested in their life and doctrine, or be enemy with them, or remain indifferent. Naturally, with the enemies, fruitful contacts could hardly be possible, but with the two other categories - completely. And it is all the same perhaps about not only that the contacts with those that are without, with whom they maintain, would be just as effective from the point of view of the resolution of concrete problems and questions, that it came to solve with these people.

It was also probably about the fact that every communication with those that are without became a witness. Indeed, if man lives in the Kingdom, he cannot hide it. He may not witness in the sense that we understand this word today, he may even say nothing about the Christianity. But the problem in fact is not only in what is said, but also in how. Ultimately, the Kingdom consists of relationships, the relationships of its residents between themselves and each of them with Christ.

And the man living in the Kingdom and knowing how to build and maintain such relationships, cannot simply treat differently the man that is without, who, certainly, will not be able not to notice a certain, at least, of such unusual relation to him: because in the non transformed world nothing similar can happen. And in such case, even ordinary, for example, a business meeting still turns out to be a witness of the Kingdom. At least because it allows to see on the example of a concrete person, the alternative to the non transformed world and the non transformed order of things.

Other notes

For Col 4:1-18

¹Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

²Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

³Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

⁴That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

⁶Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

⁷All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

⁸Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

⁹With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

¹⁰Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

¹¹And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

¹²Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

¹³For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

¹⁴Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

¹⁵Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

¹⁶And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

¹⁷And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

¹⁸The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Like any letter, the Epistle to the Colossians ends with friendly wishes and instructions, greetings... Read more

Like any letter, the Epistle to the Colossians ends with friendly wishes and instructions, greetings from those who are near the Apostle, and brief news. Everything is as in an ordinary letter, apart from several aphoristic phrases that have become laws of Christian life. Again and again, Paul reminds us that a person's daily duty and need is prayer with thanksgiving—that is, unceasing communion with God, a dialogue in search of truth, and gratitude that this possibility has been given to us. We can continually contemplate the One who is Truth. Through this, our whole life is transformed into something wonderful and, as the Apostle puts it, we can conduct ourselves wisely toward outsiders.