English Standard Version
Colossians 4:2
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
- New International Version (NIV)Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
- New Living Translation (NLT)Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Context of Colossians 4:2
1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Read all of Colossians 4Colossians 4:2 word by word
Τῇ προσευχῇ προσκαρτερεῖτε γρηγοροῦντες ἐν αὐτῇ ἐν εὐχαριστίᾳ·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Colossians 4:2
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
- Colossians 1:9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- 1 Samuel 12:23Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
- Job 15:4But you are doing away with the fear of God and hindering meditation before God.
- Job 27:8For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?
- Psalms 55:16But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.
- Psalms 109:4In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
- Luke 18:1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
- Romans 12:12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
- Ephesians 6:18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
- Philippians 4:6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17pray without ceasing,
- Matthew 26:41Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- Mark 13:33Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
- Luke 21:36But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
- 1 Peter 4:7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Commentaries on Colossians 4:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Continue in prayer - This was the apostle's general advice to all; without this, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfill the duties which God, in their respective stations, required of them. All might, power, and life come from God; his creatures are continually dependent upon him for all these: to earnest, persevering prayer, he has promised every supply; but he who prays not has no promise. How few wives feel it…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Continue in prayer - That is, do not neglect it; observe it at all stated times; maintain the spirit of prayer, and embrace all proper occasions to engage in it; compare the Luke 18:1 note; Ephesians 6:18 note; 1 Thessalonians 4:17 note. And watch in the same with thanksgiving - Watch for favorable opportunities; watch that your mind may be in a right frame when you pray: and watch, that when your mind is in a right frame you may not neglect to pray; see…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2-6Verses 2-6 No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2being watchful: The Greek verb for this phrase in the New Testament emphasizes the need for Christians to stay watchful because Christ will return (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35, 37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Continue--Greek, "Continue perseveringly," "persevere" (Ep 6:18), "watching thereunto"; here, "watch in the same," or "in it," that is, in prayer: watching against the indolence as to prayer, and in prayer, of our corrupt wills. with thanksgiving--for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, mercies temporal and spiritual, national, family, and individual (1Co 14:17; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:18).Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 4:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries