Colossians 4:3

Authorized King James Version

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
προσευχόμενοι
G4336
praying
to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship
#2
ἅμα
G260
Withal
properly, at the "same" time, but freely used as a preposition or adverb denoting close association
#3
καὶ
G2532
also
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#4
περὶ
G4012
for
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
#5
ἡμῶν
G2257
us
of (or from) us
#6
ἵνα
G2443
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#7
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
θεὸς
G2316
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#9
ἀνοίξῃ
G455
would open
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
#10
ἡμῖν
G2254
unto us
to (or for, with, by) us
#11
θύραν
G2374
a door
a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)
#12
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
λόγου
G3056
of utterance
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#14
λαλῆσαι
G2980
to speak
to talk, i.e., utter words
#15
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
μυστήριον
G3466
the mystery
a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)
#17
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
Χριστοῦ
G5547
of Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#19
δι'
G1223
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#20
ὃ
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#21
καὶ
G2532
also
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
δέδεμαι
G1210
I am
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection