Глава четвертая

Col.4:1. Gentlemen, give slaves what they deserve and what is fair, What does due mean? This means rewarding them for their efforts, delivering everything in abundance and not allowing them to need outside help. You should not, after hearing that they have a reward from God, deprive them on your part of what they should have from you. knowing that you also have the Lord in heaven. As they have you, so you have the Lord. So, “with the same measure you use” to your servants, “with the same it will be measured to you” from your Lord (Matthew 7:2). Or, know that together with them you also have the Lord, so you must treat them as fellow servants. The Apostle thus makes slavery general here. Col.4:2. Be constant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving. The devil knows how great a blessing prayer is, and he tries in every possible way to make us recoil from it. Why does Paul say: “be constant” (προσκαρτερεΐτε - sit down with her, pore over her). Since he who sits down to pray is often attacked by laziness and relaxation, he added: “while being awake,” that is, being sober, always being tense in the matter of prayer. But he also teaches her to create in thanksgiving, that is, with thanksgiving. For that prayer is true, which contains thanksgiving for all good deeds known to us and unknown, both for what brought us joy and for what was accompanied by sorrow - for all good deeds in general. Col.4:3. Pray for us too Look at the humility; even Paul himself needs their prayers. so that God would open the door for us to speak, to proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, Col.4:4. so that I may reveal it as I should proclaim it. That is, to give me freedom, but not so that I would be free from bonds, but so that I would tell the secret of Christ as I should be told, that is, without pretense and subterfuge. How then, being bound, does he beg and ask others to relieve him of what he already has? By this he expresses not only his humility, but also shows the power of brotherly prayer. And he needed help from above, which the prayers of the brethren could provide him with to a greater extent. With the same word he wanted to introduce them to the work of prayer. For if prayer is needed for him, much more for themselves. Col.4:5. Treat outsiders wisely, What the Lord said: “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves: therefore be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16), the same now he says: be careful and do not give strangers any reason against you, if they do not cause you any harm, and do not offend them untimely. For such are outside the essence, that is, not our own, not of the same yard with us; Although they live in the same world with us, they are outside, as if they are far from both the Church and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, you should handle them wisely. As for your neighbors, such caution is not required in dealing with them. He also encourages them with what the Hellenes call external. He said this, not wanting us to be fickle and hypocritical, but that the time is not ours, but theirs. And you can make it yours, if you treat them prudently, do not start inappropriate quarrels, on the contrary, you will give them due honor when it does not harm your soul. Listen to his words spoken to Agrippa: “I consider myself fortunate that today I can defend myself before you” (Acts 26:2). In this way, we will make strangers our own, by meekly attracting them to the preaching. Col.4:6. May your word always be with grace, seasoned with salt, Let your word be pleasant, he says; however, let it not fall into illegibility and unbridledness, but let it also be restrained. For it means "salt". Let it not be overly cheerful, nor overly harsh. Just as food, if it is not salted, is unpleasant, and if it is too salty, then it cannot be taken into the mouth, and in both cases it is inedible, so is the word. Don't you remember how Daniel healed a wicked man with his words? Don’t you see how the three youths, showing such courage and daring, did not utter a single word of cruelty or insult? For impudence in speech is not a sign of courage, but a sign of vanity. so that you may know how to answer everyone. Otherwise for the rich, otherwise for the poor. His soul, being weak, needs greater indulgence; but the poor man’s is stronger, so he can bear it if you treat him a little more harshly. When there is no need, do not call a Greek unclean and do not reproach him. If you are brought before a superior, give him due honor. When they ask you about Hellenic beliefs, do not be afraid to say that they are unclean and wicked. So Paul in Athens speaks favorably (Acts 17:22) about paganism, exposing what is good in it; Meanwhile, Elymas was directly rebuked, because he was worth it (Acts 13:10). Col.4:7. Tychicus will tell you everything about me, And this demonstrates Paul's wisdom. He does not put everything in his messages, but only what is necessary and urgently needed - and this is because, firstly, he did not want to spread them too much; secondly, so that the one leaving with the message would have something to tell; thirdly, it shows how he himself is disposed towards him, because otherwise he would not have placed such trust in him. Finally, there was something that did not need to be announced in writing. beloved brother and faithful servant and co-worker in the Lord, If beloved, then he knew everything; if he is faithful, he will not lie about anything; if an employee, then he participated in temptations. Col.4:8. whom I sent to you so that he might learn about your circumstances and comfort your hearts, Here the apostle shows his love for them, if in fact he sent him to learn about their affairs, and not to inform them about his own; in addition, and in order to console them. He also points out that they are in temptation and need consolation. Col.4:9. with Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is from you. Onesimus is Philemon's slave. What honor and what respect he has achieved, so that he is called Paul's brother. And Paul is not ashamed to call himself the brother of a slave. Further, in praise of the city he adds: “which is from you,” so that they too would consider it an honor to have presented such a person. They will tell you about everything here. That is, about my bonds and everything else that keeps me here. If it weren't for this, I would have come to you myself. Col.4:10. Aristarchus, imprisoned with me, greets you, This is the Aristarchus who was taken with him from Jerusalem. Paul said more than the prophets, because they called themselves strangers and strangers, and he even calls himself a captive. For, indeed, he was driven and dragged along like a prisoner, even worse; because those who took captives take care of the captives as their own property: he, as an enemy and adversary, was persecuted and persecuted by everyone. And for them (that is, his listeners) this should have served as a consolation, for their teacher was in similar circumstances. and Mark, nephew of Barnabas, And he praises Mark for his relationship, since Barnabas was a great man. (about which you received orders: if it comes to you, accept it), In all likelihood, regarding Barnabas, they received instructions to receive him with honor. But you can put a period after the words “received orders” and then begin to read: “if he comes to you,” Colossians, accept him with honor. Col.4:11. also Jesus, called Justus, Perhaps it was a Corinthian. both of the circumcised. They are the only co-workers for the Kingdom of God, Having expressed the approval due to each individual, the apostle now gives general praise; for then it seemed a great thing to be one of the Jews. But so that the listeners do not lose heart, since he reminded them of captivity, he finally encourages them, saying: “collaborators for the Kingdom of God.” Thus, having become participants in the captivity, they will also be participants in the Kingdom. Saint John understood this passage in such a way that Paul condemns the Jews, saying: “both of the circumcision, they are the only ones,” that is, there are few of those who are circumcised, but most of the faithful are from the pagans. The apostle shows that he is in great temptations, and that those were great people, since they served Paul as a consolation. And notice how the one who comforts the prisoner is declared a participant in the Kingdom with him. Therefore, people persecuted for Christ must be protected in every possible way. Col.4:12. Epaphras, your servant of Jesus 9 Christ, greets you, As at the beginning of the epistle, so now he recommends that, as one who loves them, they should love him for their part, and willingly listen to him when he teaches something. And the fact that the teacher is a respectable person is also useful for the students, since they will be more willing to believe his words. The fact that he is a servant of Christ also serves as a great praise for Epaphras. So, he is your glory, especially since he came from your midst. always laboring for you in prayer, He didn’t just say: praying for you, but with anxiety and trembling - not just on another day, but always. so that you may remain perfect Lightly reproaches them for their imperfections. For they are still not firm and waver in the doctrine of angels. After all, it is possible to be perfect and not stand still, just as if someone knew everything, but was not firmly established in anything. Therefore he says, “that ye may remain perfect,” meaning in doctrine and life. and are filled with everything that pleases God. That is, so that you do not fulfill any other will than the will of God: for this means to be fulfilled and perfect. This also shows that some of what was preached is being preserved, but some of it has already been lost. Col.4:13. I testify of him that he has great zeal and care 10 for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. “Jealousy” and “great” – both words are put together for emphasis. He also praises Epaphras to the Laodiceans and Hierapolitans, for they, without a doubt, having read the message, could have heard about him. Col.4:14. Luke, beloved physician, greets you, Luke is an evangelist for whom it is no small praise to be Paul's beloved. He speaks about him after Epaphras - not because he humiliated him, but because he wanted to elevate Epaphras before his fellow citizens. Undoubtedly, others were also called by this name. Dimas, apparently, had not yet left the teacher. Col.4:15. Greet the brothers in Laodicea, Look how he brings them together, how he binds them to each other. and Nymphanas, and his home church. This was a famous husband, in whose house everyone was faithful, which is why his house was called a church. Therefore, Paul shows his affection for him by especially greeting him. He also does this in order to encourage others to the same zeal, so that others will imitate Nymphas if they wish to be also honored. Col.4:16. When this message is read to you, then arrange for it to be read in the Laodicean church; and the one from Laodicea, read it too It seems to me that something was written here that the Laodiceans also needed to hear; and they, in turn, needed to find out what was written in that message. It is much more beneficial when, from the reproof directed against others, they recognize their own shortcomings. What kind of message was this from Laodicea? First Timothy: It was written from Laodicea. Some, however, say that this was a letter that the Laodiceans were sending to Paul. But I don’t know what they could have borrowed from it for their correction. Col.4:17. Tell Arkhippus: Why doesn't he write to him? It is probable that he did not need a long message; one brief reminder was enough for him. see to it that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord. This is the voice of the frightening everywhere, as for example: “See to it that no one leads you away with empty deception” (Col. 2:8). Or again: “Beware that this freedom of yours does not serve as a temptation” (1 Cor. 8:9). So it is here: see that you fulfill, as it should, the work you accepted “in the Lord,” that is, through the Lord; for He gave it to you, not I. What's the matter? Watch over and care for the Colossians. The apostle makes two suggestions with one word - “in the Lord”: he makes him more careful to perform his service as the Lord’s work, and he inclines them to obey him more willingly, showing that they are given from God into his hands. Of course, for this reason the apostle writes to them: “tell Archippus,” so that when he begins to reproach them, they cannot accuse him as a person who fills them with bitterness, knowing that this was the commandment given to him from Paul, and that their own lips conveyed to Archippus what Paul had previously announced to him. So, to stop their mouths. Paul did this very wisely, since in any case it is inappropriate for disciples to talk about the affairs of the teacher. Col. 4:18. Greetings from my hand, Pavlova. 11 Remember my bonds. Instead: remember me, who is in chains and condemned. The best consolation for them is to remember Paul the prisoner in every sorrow. Grace be with all 12 of you. Amen When grace is inherent in you, then whether you have sorrows or endure bonds, nothing will overcome you, since being bound is a matter of grace. For Luke says: they returned from prison, rejoicing that they were worthy to receive dishonor for the name of Christ (cf. Acts 5:41). Do you see that to be dishonored is to be honored? And indeed, this is a great dignity. So, may we, the unworthy, be worthy of receiving divine grace in sorrows, so that, when reinforced by it our weakness, these sorrows may serve us for our benefit, dispelling the darkness of our sins, to the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. The word "Jesus" in the text of the blj. Theophylact omitted. The word "care" in the text of the blj. Theophylact omitted. In the text of the bl. Theophylact does not have these words. The words “with everyone” are omitted from the blj. Theophylact. You might be interested in: