These small group studies of Colossians 4 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Colossians 4 Bible Study Guide – Practical Christian Conduct
Colossians 4:1-6 Bible Study Video
Colossians 4:1-6 Podcast
Outline
I. Reminder to masters (1)
II. Reminders about Christian conduct (2-6)
III. Final greetings (7-18)
I. Reminder to masters (1)
Discussion Questions
• How does verse one relate to the previous passage on slaves?
• What instruction is given to masters?
• How can we apply this verse in our lives considering that we don’t have actual slaves?
• How can you treat your children/students/employees with fairness and justice?
• What reason is given for us to behave this way?
• What kind of master do we have?
• How should this knowledge about our own Master affect us in everyday life?
Cross-References
Proverbs 22:16 – One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Romans 4:4 – Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
Ephesians 6:9 – And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Leviticus 19:13 – “‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
Leviticus 25:43 – Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Instructions to masters – Paul continues giving instructions about various relationships, this time focusing on masters. Masters should treat their servants justly and fairly. In other words, they should treat their servants like people, not like property. Brutal treatment in the form of abuse, verbal or physical, was not allowed.
In the Bible, the equality of all persons in the sight of God is continually taught (Galatians 3:28.) No person should use his authority or position to mistreat others. In the book of Philemon, Paul says that Philemon should treat his former slave Onesimus as a “beloved brother.” (Philemon 16.) He then encourages Philemon to set Onesimus free so that he might serve the Lord and help him in his ministry. Paul does not want to start a revolution with slaves everywhere revolting as this would distract from the gospel message and hinder its spread. At the same time, he instructs masters that they should be righteous and fair in their dealings with slaves, treating them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The motivation for treating servants in this manner was not financial. Paul was not saying, “If you take care of your slaves, they will work harder!” But the motivation was the fact that even masters had a higher authority in heaven, God, their own ultimate Master. One day they would have to give an account for how they treated their servants. Everything that they do would be judged by a holy and righteous God. If they mistreated people created in God’s image, then they would have to face the consequences for that.
Application: Every person, no matter what their position in life is, has a higher authority in heaven. God is the judge. He is on His throne. He sees and hears all we do. And we will be held accountable for how we use the authority He has given to us.
Fathers should remember that there is a higher authority above watching how they treat their children. In the home they may feel that they are the biggest and the strongest. No one can seemingly stop them from carrying out their will or discipline them when they go astray. But wise fathers soberly remember that their heavenly Father sees all and will deal with them if they use their God-given authority in the wrong way. In the same way, mothers should know they too have a higher authority in heaven.
Teachers, church leaders, and government leaders are held to the same standard. God puts people into positions of authority so that they can humbly lead and serve those whom they are called to minister to. Believers should never use their power to extort, abuse, manipulate, or benefit from those they serve. Serve. That is the key word. Many leaders think that the people under them exist to serve their every desire. The opposite is true. Leaders are called to serve those they are responsible for through word and action.
Perhaps the area this is most applicable to in the modern-day world is to bosses. There are many unfair and harsh bosses in the world today. Bosses are often harsh and rude to employees, belittling them and making their lives miserable. Many bosses are unjust, forcing their employees to work overtime or take extra responsibilities against the contract they signed. Some of these use threats to manipulate.
If you have employees, you would do well to remember what kind of boss you serve. Our boss is considerate and kind. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. Although Jesus deserved the disciples’ obedience and could have rightly demanded anything from them, He instead set an example for them of love and service, even stooping to wash their feet (John 13:1-17).
Here are some questions to consider:
• What can you do as the boss to make the work environment at your company more pleasant?
• How can you support and show kindness to employees who are having a hard time?
• What is the right way to motivate them or correct them when needed?
• If you switched places and were employed to yourself, what complaints might you make about the way you are treated?
• Do you regularly pray for your employees?
• Do you care for them as people?
• Do you regularly ask questions about their lives to show your concern?
• How can you be a good testimony to your employees and lead them to Christ?
II. Reminders about Christian conduct (2-6)
Discussion Questions
• How can we devote ourselves to prayer?
• How can you be alert in prayer?
• What other ingredients are essential in prayer?
• What prayer request did Paul ask the Colossians to pray?
• Are you regularly praying for others?
• Can you think of examples in the Bible of people who devoted themselves to prayer?
• How about examples where people should have prayed, but didn’t?
• Who are the outsiders in verse 5?
• How should we act toward them?
• What does it mean to conduct yourselves with wisdom?
• What is a good use of time? What is a poor use of time?
• What should your speech be like?
• How can we give grace to others in the words that we say?
• Do you go out of your way to say positive things to others?
• What is the purpose of salt?
• Why should speech be “seasoned” with it?
• Should we respond the same way to every person?
• How can we know how we should respond to different people with different personalities?
Cross-References
James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Ephesians 6:18 – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Proverbs 18:20-21 – From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.