Read & explore together
Signature and Final Instructions
These closing lines show a letter being shared, passed on, and personally signed. Paul ends with greetings, an instruction about reading letters, a direct message for Archippus, and a brief final request and blessing.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage comes at the end of Colossians and gives the letter’s final instructions. It names believers in Laodicea, mentions an assembly meeting in a house, tells the assemblies to read letters to each other, speaks directly to Archippus about his ministry, and closes with Paul’s own greeting, his chains, and grace.
Colossians 4:15–18Main takeaway
These final instructions show that the letter was to be shared among assemblies, received seriously, and closed with grace.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Greeting believers in LaodiceaPaul begins by telling the readers to greet the brothers in Laodicea, together with Nymphas and the assembly in his house.
Explanation
Paul begins by telling the readers to greet the brothers in Laodicea, together with Nymphas and the assembly in his house. These words show connection between believers in different places. The word assembly refers to the gathered church, and here that gathering is meeting in a house.
02Read the letters in both assembliesPaul then gives a clear instruction about reading the letter. After it has been read among the Colossians, they are to make sure it is also read in the assembly of the Laodiceans.
Explanation
Paul then gives a clear instruction about reading the letter. After it has been read among the Colossians, they are to make sure it is also read in the assembly of the Laodiceans. They are also to read the letter from Laodicea. The focus is on hearing and sharing these letters in the assemblies.
03A direct word to ArchippusNext comes a message for one person, Archippus: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
Explanation
Next comes a message for one person, Archippus: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.” “Take heed” means to pay careful attention. Paul does not explain the ministry further here, but he does stress careful responsibility and completing what has been received.
04Paul’s own hand, chains, and gracePaul ends by saying he writes this greeting with his own hand. That makes the ending personal and deliberate.
Explanation
Paul ends by saying he writes this greeting with his own hand. That makes the ending personal and deliberate. He asks them to remember his chains, using that exact word here. His final words are a blessing of grace: “Grace be with you.” The letter closes with both seriousness and kindness.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do these verses show about how assemblies shared letters with one another?
Look at the instruction to have this letter read in one assembly and then in another, and to read the letter from Laodicea as well.
02What is Archippus told to do with the ministry he has received in the Lord?
Notice both parts of the command: he must take heed to it and fulfil it.
03How does Paul make the ending both personal and serious?
Think about his own handwriting, his request to remember his chains, and his final blessing of grace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Colossians 4:15–18
15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house.
16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.