Paul concluded his exhortations concerning Christian living with instructions pertaining to three essential practices for those in Christ. He wanted to impress their importance on his readers. One exhortation dealt with his readers' relationship to God, another dealt with their relationship to other people, and the third looked selfward.
4:2 The most important practice to perpetuate in relation to God is prayer. That is so because in prayer we call on God to work, and we express our faith in Him. Throughout this epistle Paul's emphasis has been on the believer's union with Christ and the complete adequacy that that union produces. The Christian who does not pray is demonstrating independence from God (cf. John 15:5). It is only as we ask God to work that He will accomplish many things (James 4:2). Consequently Paul urged his readers to devote themselves to prayer, to give it constant attention. Perhaps the main problem we face when we do pray is concentration. Therefore Paul reminded his readers to keep alert in prayer and to express gratitude always in view of God's goodness and grace to them.174
"The accompanying exhortation to keep awake, be on the alert' (gregoreo) is drawn from the imagery of guard duty (Neh. 7:3; 1 Macc. 2:27; Mark 14:34, 37) . . ."175
The repeated emphasis on thanksgiving makes this epistle one of the most "thankful"books in the New Testament (cf. 1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:17; 4:2).
4:3-4 Paul requested his readers' intercession for two matters in particular. He asked them to pray that God would give him and his companions opportunities for evangelism and edification. He also asked that when these came he would be able to present the gospel clearly.176"The mystery of Christ"(v. 3; 1:26-27) is the gospel, especially that Jews and Gentiles have equal opportunity for salvation. Paul had greater concern about getting the gospel out than he had with getting out of prison himself.
4:5 With respect to his readers' relationship to unbelievers, Paul counseled the use of wisdom as most important. This involves living life in the light of God's revelation and then applying this knowledge to specific situations (1:9). The Greek word translated "opportunity"(kairos, lit. time) probably implies the opportune time, as it does in some other places. The opportunity in view seems to be the opportunity to bring others into full union with Christ (cf. v. 3).
4:6 Paul turned from thinking about his readers' walk to their talk. The most important thing to keep in mind regarding the Colossians' own practices involved their speech. Speech most effectively expresses what is inside the believer. The Christian's speech should mirror the gracious character and conduct of his or her God by demonstrating love, patience, sacrifice, undeserved favor, etc. Salt probably represented both attractiveness, since salt makes food appealing, and wholesomeness, since salt was a preservative that retarded corruption in food (cf. Matt. 5:13; Mark 9:50; Eph. 4:29). Furthermore one should wisely suit his or her speech to each need. The words "seasoned with salt"refer to witty speech in classical Greek, but Paul probably meant attractive and wholesome speech in view of other biblical uses of the term salt.177
These three exhortations in verses 2-4, 5, and 6 are extremely important and deserve more attention from Christians than they normally receive.
