Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Epaphras {G1889}, who is one of {G1537} you {G5216}, a servant {G1401} of Christ {G5547}, saluteth {G782} you {G5209}, always {G3842} labouring fervently {G75} for {G5228} you {G5216} in {G1722} prayers {G4335}, that {G2443} ye may stand {G2476} perfect {G5046} and {G2532} complete {G4137} in {G1722} all {G3956} the will {G2307} of God {G2316}.
Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God’s will.
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of 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.
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Romans 15:30
¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me; -
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; -
Colossians 1:7
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; -
Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: -
Philemon 1:23
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; -
2 Peter 1:1
¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: -
Romans 15:14
¶ And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Colossians 4:12 introduces Epaphras, a devoted associate of the Apostle Paul and a native of Colossae, highlighting his profound commitment to the spiritual well-being of the Colossian believers. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the importance of intercessory prayer and the pursuit of spiritual maturity.
Context
This verse is part of Paul's concluding remarks in his letter to the Colossians, where he sends greetings and commendations to various individuals. Paul, writing from prison, relies on faithful co-workers like Epaphras to minister to the churches. Epaphras is described as "one of you," indicating his local connection to Colossae, and a "servant of Christ," underscoring his dedication to the Lord's work. He was instrumental in bringing the gospel to Colossae (see Colossians 1:7-8 for more on Epaphras's faithful ministry), and here we see his continued, earnest concern for the church's spiritual health.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "labouring fervently" translates the Greek word agonizomai (ἀγωνίζομαι), from which we get the English word "agonize." It depicts a struggle, a wrestling match, or an intense contest. This conveys the earnestness and deep personal involvement Epaphras had in his prayers for the Colossians. It's not a passive activity but an active, strenuous engagement of the spirit.
The word "perfect" comes from teleios (τέλειος), meaning "brought to its end, finished; wanting nothing necessary to completeness; perfect." In a spiritual sense, it refers to spiritual maturity, full growth, or being fully developed, rather than absolute moral flawlessness. Coupled with "complete" (peplēromenoi - πεπληρωμένος, meaning "filled full, fully assured"), it signifies a state of being fully equipped and established in their faith and understanding of God's truth.
Practical Application
Epaphras's example in Colossians 4:12 challenges believers today to cultivate a similar spirit of fervent intercessory prayer. We are called to pray earnestly for the spiritual growth, maturity, and steadfastness of our fellow believers, that they too may fully understand and live according to God's will. This verse reminds us that true spiritual service often involves unseen, persistent prayer for others. It encourages us to strive for spiritual maturity, desiring to be "perfect and complete" in our walk with God, fully aligned with His purposes for our lives.