Edifying the Body of Christ #14
/By Joseph L. Watkins
Continuing with our free paraphrasing of Paul’s epistle to the Colossians.
Colossians 4:4, KJV:
“That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
Our free paraphrasing:
Oh yes, dear one in Christ Jesus, I am here in this place, in order that I may make this one great message out of God to be both openly and freely proclaimed and clearly understood, even as I have been divinely authorized to be speaking.
Colossians 4:5, KJV:
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
Our free paraphrasing:
Even as it has become my service and my responsibility to make known this message from our Lord, so also it has become your own personal service, and yes, also your responsibility to always be walking and holding in view a correct manner of life, always desiring to be found acceptable, even well-pleasing unto our Lord Christ Jesus. We must always live our lives being mindful of the times and our open doors of opportunity..
Colossians 4:6, KJV:
“Let your speech bealways with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Our free paraphrasing:
We should always make sure that our words of living truth are very pleasant and understanding, never being argumentative, and always being well seasoned with love, even as any good words of truth should always be presented, and always in favorable regard for all others, always seeking to supply the right answers to all questioning concerning this special message from our great God, Christ Jesus.
Colossians 4:7, KJV:
“All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.”
Our free paraphrasing:
Yes, brethren,any concern of me that you may have, Tychicus is to share with you, even according to the words of me, as I have already instructed him to do. Tychicush as always been most faithful and trustworthy, both as a faithful minister of the words of truth for today, and as a fellow servant in the Lord.
Colossians 4:8, KJV:
“Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;”
Our free paraphrasing:
This one I sent unto you folks, for the very same purpose in order that we might also know and more fully understand that which is of most concern unto you, even in order that we may impart some encouragement unto your hearts.
Colossians 4:9, KJV:
“With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.”
Our free paraphrasing:
Also know that I am also sending the one named Onesimus, who has also become our faithing and beloved brother in the Lord; I understand that he has also come from Colosse as well Now these two men are to make known unto you all the things which are happening with us here at Rome, and in this prison..
Colossians 4:10, KJV:
“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner, saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you,receive him:).”
Our free paraphrasing:
Aristarchus,who is also one of my fellow prisoners, sends you his greetings, and also Marcus, Barnabas’ sister’s son, his first cousin, concerning whom you folks have already heard of his testimony and witness of the truth of God, in Christ Jesus, so should he come unto you, seek to be an encouragement unto him.
Colossians 4:11, KJV:
“And Jesus, Which is called Just us, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”
Our free paraphrasing:
And the One Whose name is Jesus, but Whom we call by the name Just us, whom was also a circumcised Jew; these men only have been my fellow workers from the time our view was to bring unto the saints the kingdom of God. But now our work is to make manifest unto the saints, the body, truth, and in both, they have been a great encouragement and help to me, always.
– continued
Joseph L. Watkins
