Colossians 4 in the early church
106 passages quote, allude to, or echo Colossians 4, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18
Colossians 4:1
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:1 | Didache 4.10 · Anonymous | echo, medium confidence | ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) |
| Col 4:1 | Miscellanies 4.8.65 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Col 4:1 | Commentary on Daniel 3.4 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 202-204 |
| Col 4:1 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Col 4:1 | Commentary on Matthew 16.8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 246–248 |
| Col 4:1 | Canonical Epistle, canon 7 · Peter of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | AD 306 |
| Col 4:1 | Epitome of the Divine Institutes 59.3 · Lactantius | echo, medium confidence | ca. 314–320 |
| Col 4:1 | Oration 17.12 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Col 4:1 | Commentary on Colossians 4:1 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:1 | Apostolic Constitutions 4.12.2 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
| Col 4:1 | Against Faustus the Manichaean 5.9 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 398–400 |
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:2 | The Instructor 3.12.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Col 4:2 | Miscellanies 5.10.61 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Col 4:2 | Homilies on Exodus 11.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Col 4:2 | To Quirinus 3.120 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later) |
| Col 4:2 | Letter 11.5 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | 249/250–258 |
| Col 4:2 | On the Lord's Prayer 31 · Cyprian of Carthage | quotation, high confidence | ca. 252 |
| Col 4:2 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 57 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Col 4:2 | Commentary on Colossians 4:2–4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:2 | Letter 109.3 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Col 4:2 | On the Lord's Prayer 1119 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380–394 |
| Col 4:2 | Letter 211.7 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Col 4:2 | On the Predestination of the Saints 20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428/429 |
Colossians 4:3
as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Colossians 4:4
Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:4 | Miscellanies 5.10.62 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Col 4:4 | Commentary on Colossians 4:2–4 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:4 | On the Predestination of the Saints 20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 428/429 |
Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:5 | The Instructor 3.11.82 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Col 4:5 | The Instructor 3.12.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Col 4:5 | Commentary on Colossians 4:5–6 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:5 | Homily 4 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:6 | The Instructor 3.12.95 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 190–200 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters to Virgins 1.11.6 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Col 4:6 | Homilies on Ezekiel 6.6 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Col 4:6 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.232 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Col 4:6 | Against Celsus 3.33 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Col 4:6 | Against Celsus 6.10 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
| Col 4:6 | Commentary on Romans 5.3 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406) |
| Col 4:6 | On the Paschal Feast 4 · Eusebius of Caesarea | echo, low confidence | ca. 325–337 |
| Col 4:6 | Life of Antony 73 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357–360 |
| Col 4:6 | Moral Rules (Moralia) 9 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-370 |
| Col 4:6 | Tractates on the Psalms 14.10 · Hilary of Poitiers | allusion, high confidence | ca. 360–367 |
| Col 4:6 | Oration 6.1 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Col 4:6 | Commentary on Colossians 4:5–6 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:6 | Commentary on Ephesians 5:15–16 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:6 | Commentary on Romans 12:10–11 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:6 | Letter 125.1 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Col 4:6 | Homilies on Matthew 23.3 · John Chrysostom | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390 |
| Col 4:6 | Tractates on Matthew 4.2 · Chromatius of Aquileia | allusion, high confidence | ca. 388–407 |
| Col 4:6 | Tractates on Matthew 7.2 · Chromatius of Aquileia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 388–407 |
| Col 4:6 | Homily 9 · Gregory of Nyssa | quotation, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Col 4:6 | Sermon 157.4 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Col 4:6 | Poem 27, lines 320–348 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 393–431 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 9.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 18.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 23.6 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 36.1 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 39.4 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Letters 42.2 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Col 4:6 | Tractates 17 · Gaudentius of Brescia | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 397-410 |
| Col 4:6 | On Marriage and Concupiscence 1.2 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 419–421 |
| Col 4:6 | Letter 1 (preface to the Carmen paschale) · Sedulius | echo, low confidence | ca. 425-450 |
| Col 4:6 | Part 9 · Eutherius of Tyana | quotation, high confidence | ca. 431-440 |
Colossians 4:7
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:7 | Homilies on the Psalms 33.2 · Basil of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 360-378 |
| Col 4:7 | Commentary on Colossians 4:7–9 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:7–9 | On the Holy Spirit 25.59 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 374–375 |
Colossians 4:8
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:8 | Commentary on Colossians 4:7–9 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:9
With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:9 | Commentary on Colossians 4:7–9 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:10
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:10 | Church History 2.22.1 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| Col 4:10 | Commentary on Colossians 4:10 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:11
Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:11 | Demonstration 14.42 · Aphrahat | quotation, high confidence | 337-345 |
| Col 4:11 | Commentary on Colossians 4:10 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:12 | Commentary on Colossians 4:12 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:12 | On Rebuke and Grace 6 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 427 |
Colossians 4:13
For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:13 | Commentary on Colossians 4:13 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:14
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:14 | Lines 1–10 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | late 2nd or 4th century (disputed) |
| Col 4:14 | Against Heresies 3.14.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons | quotation, high confidence | ca. 180–190 |
| Col 4:14 | Church History 3.4.6 · Eusebius of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 300–325 |
| Col 4:14 | Commentary on Colossians 4:14 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:14 | Letter 53.9 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Col 4:14 | On Illustrious Men 7 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 392–393 |
| Col 4:14 | Poem 19, lines 65–97 · Paulinus of Nola | echo, medium confidence | ca. 393–431 |
| Col 4:14 | Poem 27, lines 415–444 · Paulinus of Nola | allusion, high confidence | ca. 393–431 |
Colossians 4:15
Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:15 | Long recension, Hero 9 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| Col 4:15 | Commentary on Colossians 4:15 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
Colossians 4:16
After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:16 | Lines 61–70 · Anonymous | echo, low confidence | late 2nd or 4th century (disputed) |
| Col 4:16 | Commentary on Colossians 4:16 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:16 | Eleven Tractates 3.72 · Priscillian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380–385 |
| Col 4:16 | On Illustrious Men 5 · Jerome | allusion, medium confidence | 392–393 |
Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:17 | Prologue to the Commentary on Colossians · Ambrosiaster | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:17 | Commentary on Colossians 4:17 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Col 4:17 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.46.12 · Anonymous | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 380 |
Colossians 4:18
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Col 4:18 | Commentary on Colossians 4:18 · Ambrosiaster | quotation, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |