JMNT(i)
3 at the same time also progressively praying (speaking to having ease and goodness) about us, to the end that God may open a door of the Word for us to speak the secret of the Christ (or: may open a door pertaining to the message, for us to speak the mystery which has its origin in the Christ – the secret which is the Christ), because of which [B G F read: Whom], also, I have been bound (or: tied; = imprisoned),
4 so that I may set it [i.e., the secret] in clear light (can bring it to light; would manifest it), as it is continuously binding me (making it necessary for me) to speak.
5 Be habitually walking about within wisdom (= living your lives in union with Wisdom): toward those outside (or: to outsiders; = those not a part of the called-out community), being ones constantly buying for yourselves – as from out of the market place – the fitting situation (or: redeeming the season within yourselves; purchasing the fertile moment for yourselves; or: = making the best use of the opportunity in the public concourse),
6 [with] your word (your conversation; your message) – at all times within grace (or: = always favorable) – being one having been prepared and fitted by salt (or: seasoned in salt; or: = one being interesting and not insipid), [and for you] to have seen, and thus be aware, how it continues binding for you folks to be habitually answering each person with discernment (or: making a decided reply to or separating [issues] away in order to respond with a decision for each individual).
7 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful (or: loyal; trustworthy) attending servant – even fellow slave – within [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], will proceed personally making known all the things with reference to me,
8 whom I send toward you folks unto this very thing, so that you might intimately become acquainted with the things about (or: concerning) us [with other MSS: so that he may come to intimately experience and know the things about and concerning you], and that he may call your hearts to his side for comfort, relief, aid and encouragement (or: so he can be a paraclete for you folks).
9 Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother – who is from among you folks – they will personally and intimately continue acquainting you with (making known to you) all the things here.
10 Aristarchus, my fellow captive (the one taken at spear-point, together with me), continues embracing and greeting you folks, as does Mark, cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received goal-oriented directions [that] if he should ever come to you, receive (accept and hospitably welcome) him,
11 and Jesus, the one habitually being designated (or: termed) Justus – these being the only folks from among (or: out forth from) the Circumcision (= Jews of the Jewish religion) [who are] fellow workers [laboring] into God's reign and kingdom – which folks came to be a soothing emollient (a consoling exhortation; a solace) to me (for me; in me).
12 Epaphras – the one from among you folks; a slave of Christ Jesus – continues embracing and greeting you folks, at all times (or: always) in constant struggle as in a contest over [the circumstances of] you folks, within prayers (speaking to having goodness and well-being), to the end that you can stand [other MSS: would at once be set and placed] [as] mature folks (or: complete people; finished ones; those having reached the purposed goal and destiny; perfect ones) and people having been brought to fullness (or: carried to the full measure) within, and in union with, all God's will, intent, design and purpose.
13 You see, I am presently bearing witness for him that he constantly has (or: continuously holds) toil-caused pain (misery; travail; anguish) over you folks and those within Laodicea, and the people within Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved healer (or: physician) continues embracing and greeting you folks – also Demas.
15 Embrace and greet the brothers within Laodicea, also Nympha and the called-out gathering (or: community) that corresponds to her [other MSS: from their] house.
16 And whenever the letter (or: epistle) may be read (caused to be known again) beside you (= in your presence and to you), you folks make an arrangement to the end that it may also be read within the set-apart community of the Laodiceans; and so that you folks may also read the one from out of Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, "Be constantly observing and seeing to the attending service which you received and took to your side, within [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], to the end that you may make it full (or: fulfill it)."
18 The embrace and greeting [is] by my hand – Paul's. Call to mind (Remember; Be mindful of) my bonds (= chains; = imprisonment). Grace and favor [are] (or: [The] act producing happiness, which is granted as a favor [is]; – Jim Coram) with you folks! It is so (Count on it; Amen). [written circa A.D. 58 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]