Colossians 4:12,13

12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant to Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13. For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.

Translation and Paraphrase

12. Epaphras greets you, (he being one) from your number, (and) a slave of Christ Jesus, (and) always striving for you in (his) prayers, that you may stand (as) perfect (saints), and be fully assured in all the will of God (never doubting God for an instant),
13. (Don-'t think that Epaphras has forgotten you.) For I will vouch for him that he has intense longing for you, and for the (brethren) in Laodicea, and in Hierapolis.

Notes

1.

Colossians 4:10-11 names three Jewish Christians who were companions with Paul. In Colossians 4:12-14 Paul names three Gentile Christian companions: Epaphras, Luke and Demas.

2.

Colossians 4:12-13 tells of Epaphras, the preacher for the Colossians. See notes on Colossians 1:7 for additional information about Epaphras.

3.

Colossians 4:12-13 tells us these facts about Epaphras:

(1) He was one of you, that is, one of the Colossians. He was evidently a Gentile.

(2) He prayed much. He was striving in prayer for the Colossians. Compare Colossians 2:1.

(3) His concern extended to other nearby churches in the Lycus valley, to those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

(4) He was with Paul in Rome when Colossians was dispatched, and he sent greetings to his friends in Colossae. Philemon 1:23 refers to Epaphras as Paul's fellow-prisoner.

4.

Epaphras was concerned that the Colossians might stand perfect, that is, stand for Christ without wavering, and be perfect in life. Perfect (Gr. teleios) means complete, not lacking in any part.

Also he desired that they might be fully assured in all the will of God. The participle fully assured (KJV, complete; Gr. peplerophoremenoi) is a word related to the term full assurance in Colossians 2:2. The verb means to make full; to make certain; convince; to fill with any though, conviction, or inclination.

We should also pray for our brethren, that they may stand perfect and fully assured. Entirely too many are imperfect and partially developed, and have many doubts instead of full assurance.

Study and Review

16.

Where was Epaphras from? (Colossians 4:12)

17.

What does salute mean? (Colossians 4:12)

18.

How is Epaphras-' prayer life described?

19.

For what two things did Epaphras pray?

20.

Who bore witness to Epaphras? (Colossians 4:13)

21.

For what people did Epaphras have zeal (or labor)?