Filled & Bearing Fruit: Final Instructions and Faithful Friends

Devote yourself to prayer. 2-4 

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conduct yourself with wisdom. 5 

5  Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity

Speak with grace

6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

The Ones who Journey with Paul:

Tychicus would encourage their hearts.

7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;

Onesimus would testify of grace and restoration.

9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

Aristarchus is Paul’s fellow prisoner.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;

John Mark has been restored to Paul.

10...and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

Jesus Justus has encouraged Paul.

11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.

Epaphras was the Gentile prayer warrior pastor.

12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13   For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Luke was the faithful beloved physician meeting Paul’s needs.

14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings

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