Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Colossians: Chapter 4].
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4:1 {That which is just and equal} (\to dikaion kai t•n
isot•ta\). Paul changes from \to ison\ (like \to dikaion\, neuter
singular adjective with article for abstract idea) to the
abstract substantive \isot•s\, old word, in N.T. only here and
2Co 8:13f. If employers always did this, there would be no
labour problem. {A Master in heaven} (\Kurion en ouran•i\). A
wholesome reminder to the effect that he keeps his eye on the
conduct of masters of men here towards their employees.
4:2 {Continue steadfastly} (\proskartereite\). See Mr 3:9; Ac
2:42,46 for this interesting word from \pros\ and \karteros\
(strong), common in the _Koin•_. {Watching} (\gr•gorountes\).
Present active participle of \gr•gore•\, late present made on
perfect active stem \egr•gora\ with loss of \e-\, found first in
Aristotle.
4:3 {Withal} (\hama\). At the same time. {That God may open}
(\hina ho theos anoix•i\). Common use of \hina\ and the
subjunctive (aorist), the sub-final use so common in the N.T. as
in the _Koin•_. {A door for the word} (\thuran tou logou\).
Objective genitive, a door for preaching. It is comforting to
other preachers to see the greatest of all preachers here asking
prayer that he may be set free again to preach. He uses this
figure elsewhere, once of a great and open door with many
adversaries in Ephesus (1Co 16:9), once of an open door that he
could not enter in Troas (2Co 2:12). {The mystery of Christ}
(\to must•rion tou Christou\). The genitive of apposition, the
mystery which is Christ (2:2), one that puts out of comparison
the foolish "mysteries" of the Gnostics. {For which I am also in
bonds} (\di' ho kai dedemai\). Perfect passive indicative of
\de•\. Paul is always conscious of this limitation, this chain.
At bottom he is a prisoner because of his preaching to the
Gentiles.
4:4 {As I ought to speak} (\h•s dei me lal•sai\). Wonderful as
Paul's preaching was to his hearers and seems to us, he was never
satisfied with it. What preacher can be?
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Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Colossians: Chapter 4)