'Col 3:18-25

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Life in the home and in society (Col 3:18-4:6)

Harmony in the home depends on the husband’s showing understanding love to his wife, and the wife’s showing loyal submission to her husband (Col 3:18-19).

Children are to be obedient to their parents, but parents must treat their children with understanding and not be harsh or unreasonable (Col 3:20-21).

When slaves work for their masters as if they were working for the Lord Christ, they will produce work of good quality. Masters, on their part, must reward their slaves fairly, knowing that they too have a master, God, and he will treat them as they treat others (Col 3:22-4:1).

Christians must be regular and persistent in prayer. They must keep alert as they pray, for they can be easily distracted (Col 4:2).

They should specifically pray for the servants of God with whom they are partners in the gospel, that God’s messengers may have opportunities to make known his message, and that they may do so clearly (Col 4:3-4).

Besides praying for the activity of others, Christians should be careful of their own conduct, and make sure their speech is pleasant to listen to and sensible. In this way they will attract, and not repel, those who are not believers (Col 4:5-6).