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Colossians 4 · a question people ask

"for which I am also in bonds" (4:3). Where was the letter's I held?

In the text

The letter doesn't say. Here its I says, "to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds" (4:3). It calls Aristarchus "my fellow prisoner" (4:10), and its last lines say, "Remember my chains." (4:18). It doesn't say where the I was held, or for how long, and these notes say nothing about it beyond the letter's own words.

The verses

“praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds,”
Colossians 4:3 · World English Bible
“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),”
Colossians 4:10 · World English Bible
“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.”
Colossians 4:18 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Colossians 4

Colossians 4: A door for the word

Colossians opens and closes with grace (1:2, 4:18). And it gives Epaphras near its start and Tychicus near its end the same words, beloved, faithful and servant, and calls each a fellow servant or fellow bondservant: the same Greek words both times (1:7, 4:7).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions