New International Version
Colossians 4:2
2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
- English Standard Version (ESV)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
- 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, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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 and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
- Colossians 1:9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
- 1 Samuel 12:23As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
- Job 15:4But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God.
- Job 27:8For what hope have the godless when they are cut off, when God takes away their life?
- Psalms 55:16As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.
- Psalms 109:4In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
- Luke 18:1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
- Romans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Ephesians 6:18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
- Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17pray continually,
- Matthew 26:41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- Mark 13:33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
- Luke 21:36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
- 1 Peter 4:7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
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
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