Colossians 4 9

Colossians 4:9 kjv

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

Colossians 4:9 nkjv

with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Colossians 4:9 niv

He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Colossians 4:9 esv

and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

Colossians 4:9 nlt

I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that's happening here.

Colossians 4 verses

Colossians 4 9 Meaning

Colossians 4:9 introduces Onesimus, a native of Colossae and formerly a runaway slave of Philemon, now returning alongside Tychicus. Paul describes him as a "faithful and beloved brother," emphasizing his spiritual transformation and standing within the Christian community. His designation as "one of you" highlights his connection to the Colossian church, serving as Paul's subtle appeal for his full acceptance. Together, Onesimus and Tychicus are entrusted to deliver not only the written letter but also to provide comprehensive verbal updates about Paul's circumstances, reinforcing the bond between the apostle and the church.

Colossians 4 9 Context

Colossians 4:9 is part of Paul's concluding remarks (4:7-18) in his letter to the church in Colossae. This section serves as a series of personal greetings, commendations, and pastoral instructions, emphasizing fellowship and connectivity within the wider Christian community. Paul's practice was to send trusted couriers who would not only deliver his written epistles but also provide verbal accounts of his circumstances and ministerial activities.

Historically, Paul was imprisoned, likely in Rome (evident from 4:18, "Remember my chains"). Colossae was a city in Phrygia, Asia Minor, known for its various religious influences, which Paul addresses in the preceding chapters, warning against Gnostic-like heresies. The mention of Onesimus here is particularly significant in light of the Book of Philemon, which implicitly preceded or accompanied this letter. Onesimus was a runaway slave of Philemon, a prominent member of the Colossian church. Paul, having encountered and converted Onesimus during his imprisonment, sends him back to Philemon not as property, but as a transformed "beloved brother," underscoring the radical social implications of the gospel in challenging prevailing hierarchies and promoting reconciliation within the body of Christ.

Colossians 4 9 Word analysis

• σὺν (syn): "with." A preposition indicating association or companionship. Here, it denotes that Onesimus accompanies Tychicus, signifying their shared role as emissaries and implying a mutual purpose and trust in their mission.
• Ὀνησίμῳ (Onesimō): "Onesimus." The name (from Ὀνήσιμος) means "profitable" or "useful." This is a significant word choice, echoing Paul's play on words in Phm 1:11, where he states Onesimus was formerly "useless" but is now "useful" after his conversion. This highlights the transformative power of Christ.
• τῷ (tō) πιστῷ (pistō): "the faithful." Pistō (from pistis, meaning faith) signifies trustworthiness, reliability, and fidelity. Paul's commendation here affirms Onesimus' new character and integrity, contrasting his past as a runaway slave, implying he is now dependable in Christian service.
• καὶ (kai): "and." A conjunction linking the attributes "faithful" and "beloved."
• ἀγαπητῷ (agapētō): "beloved." Agapētō (from agapaō, to love) reflects a deep, selfless love. Paul uses this term to express his affection for Onesimus and, more broadly, to signify Onesimus' standing as one loved by God and esteemed by fellow believers, elevating him far above his previous social status. This term also reinforces his new identity in Christ as a child of God.
• ἀδελφῷ (adelphō): "brother." Adelphō, in Christian context, denotes a fellow believer in Christ, a spiritual sibling. This designation is crucial, as it legally (for the church) placed Onesimus on equal footing with all other Christians, including his former master, Philemon, within the family of God, regardless of social standing.
• ὅς (hos) ἐστιν (estin) ἐξ (ex) ὑμῶν (hymōn): "who is one of you." Hos is a relative pronoun linking to Onesimus; estin is the verb "is"; ex means "out of" or "from"; and hymōn means "you" (plural). This phrase explicitly identifies Onesimus as being from Colossae or belonging to the Colossian community. This vital detail prepares the Colossian church for his return, emphasizing that he is "one of their own" who now returns transformed. It implicitly softens any previous negative associations they might have had.
• πάντα (panta): "everything/all things." This accusative neuter plural adjective signifies comprehensiveness. It ensures the Colossians that a full account of Paul's situation will be provided.
• ὑμῖν (hymin): "to you." The dative plural pronoun indicating the recipients of the information.
• γνωρίσουσιν (gnōrisousin): "they will make known/will tell." This verb (from gnōrizō, to make known, reveal) is in the future tense, active voice, plural form. It indicates a deliberate act of communication by both Tychicus and Onesimus, signifying that they will orally inform the Colossians of the complete details regarding Paul's circumstances, thereby complementing the written letter.
• τὰ (ta) ὧδε (hōde): "the things here." Ta is the definite article, referring to circumstances, and hōde is an adverb meaning "here," referring to Paul's location (likely Rome) and his current situation as a prisoner for the gospel.