Which Bible translation is shown on Colossians 4?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in Colossians 4?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

Colossians 4 (WEB) — Full Text

New Testament

Colossians 4

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

2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,

4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.

5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.

8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.

10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),

11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.

14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.

16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

The supremacy of Christ grounds a renewed identity, community, and daily life. Read Colossians 4 within the complete Colossians overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Colossians 4

Colossians 4 contains 18 verses and about 352 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 18 closes: “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include will, beloved, fellow, laodicea, read, together. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Colossians 4

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Colossians 4:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.