Devine Scripture

Colossians 4:2

What does Colossians 4:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 4:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 4:2 means

Paul urges steady, alert, and thankful prayer. “Continue stedfastly” calls for perseverance, not occasional bursts. “Watching” means spiritual attentiveness—resisting distraction and indifference. Gratitude should accompany requests, recognizing God’s past faithfulness and His present grace. Such prayer shapes the heart to align with God’s will and keeps believers awake to opportunities and dangers. Thankfulness prevents complaint from dominating prayer and reminds believers that they live under God’s care. This rhythm—persistence, watchfulness, gratitude—forms a healthy devotional life and equips the church to face trials without panic, to intercede for others, and to remain hopeful as they seek God’s purposes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Give yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In the prayer continue ye, watching in it in thanksgiving;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be instant in prayer: watching in it with thanksgiving.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving;

Context

After addressing masters, Paul broadens to general Christian duties. This call to prayer lays the foundation for the missionary request he will make next (verses 3–4). The Colossians are not only to pray for themselves but to participate in Paul’s ministry through intercession. The sequence is deliberate: a praying church becomes a witnessing church. Following this, Paul will instruct them in wise conduct and gracious speech toward outsiders (verses 5–6), showing that prayer fuels a credible, effective public testimony.

v.1Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

v.2This passage

v.3withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 3:15

    And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  • Job 27:8

    For what is the hope of the godless, though he get him gain, When God taketh away his soul?

  • Matthew 26:41

    Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

  • Romans 12:12

    rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;

  • Colossians 1:9

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

  • Psalms 55:16

    As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me.

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