Colossians 4 · Verse 2

Colossians 4:2

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2, King James Version

Colossians 4:2 in other translations

BSBDevote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,
WEBContinue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,
ASVContinue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
YLTIn the prayer continue ye, watching in it in thanksgiving;
DARBYPersevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving;
BBEGive yourselves to prayer at all times, keeping watch with praise;
WebsterContinue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

What does Colossians 4:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. Continue--Greek, "Continue perseveringly," "persevere" (Ep 6:18), "watching thereunto"; here, "watch in the same," or "in it," that is, in prayer: watching against the indolence as to prayer, and in prayer, of our corrupt wills. with thanksgiving--for everything, whether joyful, or sorrowful, mercies temporal and spiritual, national, family, and individual (1Co 14:17; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:18).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 2. Continue in prayer. That is, do not neglect it; observe it at all stated times; maintain the spirit of prayer, and embrace all proper occasions to engage in it. Comp. Lk 18:1; Eph 6:18; 1Thes 5:17.

And watch in the same with thanksgiving. Watch for favourable opportunities; watch that your mind may be in a right frame when you pray; and watch, that when your mind is in a right frame you may not neglect to pray. Eph 6:1; Eph 6:8; Php 4:6.

(*) "Continue" "Persevere" (b) "in prayer" Lk 18:1 (c) "watch" Mk 13:33

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Continue in prayer - This was the apostle's general advice to all; without this, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfill the duties which God, in their respective stations, required of them. All might, power, and life come from God; his creatures are continually dependent upon him for all these: to earnest, persevering prayer, he has promised every supply; but he who prays not has no promise. How few wives feel it their duty to pray to God to give them grace to behave as wives! How few husbands pray for the grace suited to their situation, that they may be able to fulfill its duties! The like may be said of children, parents, servants, and masters. As every situation in life has its peculiar duties, trials, etc.; so to every situation there is peculiar grace appointed. No man can fulfill the duties of any station without the grace suited to that station. The grace suited to him, as a member of society in general, will not be sufficient for him as a husband, father, or master. Many proper marriages become unhappy in the end, because the parties have not earnestly besought God for the grace necessary for them as husbands and wives. This is the origin of family broils in general; and a proper attention to the apostle's advice would prevent them all. Watch in the same - Be always on your guard; and when you have got the requisite grace by praying, take care of it, and bring it into its proper action by watchfulness; by which you will know when, and where, and how to apply it. With thanksgiving - Being always grateful to God, who has called you into such a state of salvation, and affords you such abundant means and opportunities to glorify him.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 4:2-6
No duties can be done aright, unless we persevere in fervent prayer, and watch therein with thanksgiving. The people are to pray particularly for their ministers. Believers are exhorted to right conduct towards unbelievers. Be careful in all converse with them, to do them good, and recommend religion by all fit means. Diligence in redeeming time, commends religion to the good opinion of others. Even what is only carelessness may cause a lasting prejudice against the truth. Let all discourse be discreet and seasonable, as becomes Christians. Though it be not always of grace, it must always be with grace. Though our discourse be of that which is common, yet it must be in a Christian manner. Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, and keeps it from corrupting. It is not enough to answer what is asked, unless we answer aright also.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Colossians 4:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤῇTēa<the>G3588
προσευχῇproseuchēaIn prayerG4335
προσκαρτερεῖτεproskartereitedo continue steadfastlyG4342
γρηγοροῦντεςgrēgorounteswatchingG1127
ἐνeninG1722
αὐτῇautēaitG846
ἐνenwithG1722
εὐχαριστίᾳ·eucharistiathanksgiving;G2169

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 4:2

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

    Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Ephesians 6:18

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • Romans 12:12

    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  • Matthew 26:41

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

  • Luke 18:1

    And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • Luke 21:36

    Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

    But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

  • Psalms 109:4

    For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

  • Psalms 55:16-17

    As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

  • Colossians 1:9

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

  • Mark 13:33

    Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Continue.
12; 1:9; 1Sa 12:23; Job 15:4; 27:8-10; Ps 55:16,17; 109:4; Lu 18:1
Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:17,18
watch.
Mt 26:41; Mr 13:33; Lu 21:36; 1Pe 4:7
thanksgiving.
2:7; 3:15,17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 4:1

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

  • Colossians 4:2

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

  • Colossians 4:3

    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:

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Perseverad en oración, velando en ella con hacimiento de gracias:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Persévérez dans la prière, veillant en elle avec des actions de grâces;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Beharret im Gebet und wachet in demselben mit Danksagung;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Orationi instate, vigilantes in ea in gratiarum actione: