Final Words of Encouragement – Colossians 4:16-18 Bible Study

Scripture: Colossians 4:16-18 (ESV)

"And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you."

Laying the Foundation: The Final Instructions

As Paul closes his letter, he gives three final instructions:

1. Keep spreading God’s Word (v.16).

2. Encourage others to fulfill their calling (v.17).

3. Remember grace, even in suffering (v.18).

Though this may seem like a simple conclusion, these final verses hold rich truth for us today.

Let’s break them down.

1. Keep Spreading the Word (v.16)

"And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea."

• Paul’s letters were meant to be shared.

  • The early church did not have personal copies of Scripture. Letters were read aloud, copied, and passed on.

  • This ensured that multiple churches grew in the truth together.

• The “letter from Laodicea”

  • This could have been a lost letter from Paul or the letter to the Ephesians, which was a circular letter (meant for multiple churches).

  • Either way, Paul wanted churches to stay connected and learn from each other.

Application:

• God’s Word is meant to be shared, not just kept to ourselves.

• Are you regularly sharing what you’re learning from Scripture with others?

2. Encourage Others to Fulfill Their Calling (v.17)

"And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’"

• Who was Archippus?

  • He is also mentioned in Philemon 2, possibly as a leader in the Colossian church or Philemon’s son.

  • His ministry is not specified, but Paul calls him to complete the work God gave him.

• What does this mean for us?

  • Every believer has a ministry—a calling from God to serve Him.

  • Sometimes, we need encouragement and accountability to keep going.

Application:

• Are you fulfilling what God has called you to do?

• Who in your life needs encouragement to stay faithful in their ministry?

3. Remember Grace, Even in Suffering (v.18)

"I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you."

• "I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand."

  • Paul dictated most of his letters, but he signed them personally to show authenticity.

  • This made the letter more personal and heartfelt.

• "Remember my chains."

  • Paul was writing from prison in Rome.

  • He didn’t ask for pity. He simply reminded them that suffering for Christ is part of the journey.

  • Even in chains, he was still focused on the gospel and encouraging the church.

• "Grace be with you."

  • Paul ends with grace, reminding them that everything we do is because of God’s grace.

Application:

• Are you remembering those who are suffering for the gospel?

• Are you relying on God’s grace daily?

Final Thoughts: A Lasting Legacy of Faithfulness

Paul’s final words remind us of some key truths:

• 📖 Keep spreading God’s Word. Don’t keep it to yourself.

• 🔥 Encourage others to fulfill their calling. Don’t let them quit.

• ⛓ Remember that suffering is part of the Christian journey.

• 🙌 Live in the grace of God. His grace sustains us.

Ask Yourself:

✔️ Am I sharing the truth of God’s Word with others?
✔️ Am I encouraging others to stay faithful in their calling?
✔️ Am I living with boldness, even in difficult seasons?
✔️ Am I relying on grace daily to sustain me?

What’s Next?

We have now completed the book of Colossians! 🎉

As we reflect on everything we’ve studied, let’s ask God to help us not just be hearers of the Word but doers (James 1:22).

Let’s keep walking in wisdom, living for Christ, and sharing His truth with the world.