Epaphras
(a fellow prisoner of Paul, fellow worker)
Epaphras is mentioned three times in the New Testament, twice in Colossians and once in Philemon. He was a believer in Christ who served with the apostle Paul, who referred to him as a "fellow servant," "faithful minister," and "servant of Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:7; 4:12).
His name and Paul's comment in Colossians 4:11 indicate that Epaphras was a Gentile. We also surmise that he was from Colossae in Asia Minor, since his name appears in the letter to the church there and Paul says that he "is one of you" (Colossians 4:12). According to Paul, writing during his first Roman imprisonment, Epaphras was the one who shared the Gospel with the Colossians and possibly started the church there: Paul speaks of "the day you heard [the gospel]" and reminds them that "you learned it from Epaphras" (Colossians 1:6–7). Epaphras traveled to Rome to visit Paul, informing Paul about the Colossians' "love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:8).
In his letter, Paul told the Colossians about how Epaphras cared deeply for their spiritual growth and maturity. Epaphras had committed to praying for the Colossians, "always wrestling in prayer for [them]" (Colossians 4:12). Epaphras desired the Colossian Christians to stand firm in their faith and become mature. Paul gave testimony that Epaphras worked hard for the church in Colossae, just as he was for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13).
Aside from the letter to the Colossians, Epaphras's name shows up in Paul's personal letter to Philemon. Like Colossians, Paul wrote Philemon during his first imprisonment in Rome. Epaphras had been imprisoned in Rome when visiting Paul: "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings" (Philemon 1:23). Tradition teaches that Epaphras eventually returned to Colossae, remained a faithful servant of Christ, and was later martyred. However, those details are not found in the Bible.
The descriptions of Epaphras are significant: "our dear fellow servant," "a faithful minister of Christ," "a servant of Christ Jesus," "always wrestling in prayer," and "working hard." The brief sketch Paul provides shows that the apostle thought highly of this follower of Christ and fellow laborer. Epaphras demonstrated a strong faith, a rich prayer life, boldness in sharing the Gospel even at the risk of suffering, and deep care for those in whom he had invested spiritually. Epaphras is probably not the first name that comes to mind when we think of Bible characters, but he faithfully served Jesus, and his reward is sure (see Hebrews 6:10).
THE MAN WHO WAS A GIANT IN PRAYER
This Colossian is described in many ways. He was Paul's "fellow-servant" and "servant," his "fellow-prisoner," and a "faithful minister." He was also Paul's representative at Colossae, where he had founded the church (Col. 1:7) and sought to combat prevalent heresies there under Paul's advice. The apostle had affection for Epaphras, who ministered unto his need and the need of others.
It is in his prayer ministry, however, that Epaphras is conspicuous. This giant in prayer knew how to lay all before the Lord, and laboring in secret, made the saints perfect and complete in their standing through his kneeling. He "strove earnestly in his prayers" for the Colossians. He wrestled in prayer that they might be perfect in the perfection of Christ and "fully assured in all the will of God." Paul also testified to the perseverance as well as the prayers of Epaphras. He knew how to toil on behalf of the saints of God. He was practical as well as prayerful.
His prayers for the stability and maturity of others were numerous, continuous, and strenuous. Epaphras brought to Paul at Rome a report of the Colossian Church where he had ministered in Paul's stead, an account that cheered his heart and resulted in the Colossian Epistle's writing Epaphras took back with him to his flock. Can we say that we are true successors of the devoted servant of God? Like him, do we know how to wrestle in prayer with the agony of prayer? (Rom. 15:30). Epaphras also manifested great zeal or properly "great labor of anxiety" for those under his care. Too few of us are concerned about the spiritual welfare of others.
1. EPAPHRAS WAS A BELOVED FELLOW-WORKER
In Colossians 1:7, the apostle describes Epaphras as his "dear fellow-servant." There was a particular reason for referring to him in this way. At the time this Epistle was written, Epaphras was with Paul in prison, and he had visited Paul to seek his advice and counsel concerning errors that were creeping into the church at Colosse. What a great privilege it was for Epaphras to minister to God's honored, suffering apostle, and how natural that Paul should feel a deep affection for Epaphras! Nevertheless, he did not only seek help, for, without doubt, he also gave much help to Paul, comforting him and ministering to him in several different ways.
2. EPAPHRAS WAS A FAITHFUL MINISTER OF CHRIST
He was undoubtedly a successful servant of the Lord, but Paul emphasizes "a faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians 1:7). Can there be a greater commendation than this? Epaphras was the church minister at Colosse, but more important than that, he was a minister of Christ - he was directly responsible to the Lord Himself. From the One who sat upon the throne, he received his orders, and to Him he was faithful. Look up the following references in the order given, and check up on this important question of being faithful to the Lord:- (1) Matthew 25:21; (2) Luke 16:10-12; (3) Luke 19:17; (4) 1 Corinthians 4:2; (5) 1 Timothy 1:12; (6) 2 Timothy 2:2; (7) Revelation 2:10.
3. EPAPHRAS WAS A BEARER OF GOOD NEWS
Look at Colossians 1:7-8: "Epaphras…who also told us of your love in the Spirit." Nobody knew the church members at Colosse better than Epaphras, yet he said all the good things he could talk about them. He extolled their virtues and kept silent about their shortcomings. Be careful that you are never guilty of criticizing your church or assembly; your careless criticism may breed disaffection among the members and bring dishonor upon the Name of the Lord. Notice that Epaphras was not only "of" the church at Colosse; he was "for" the church. If you are "of" a church (belong to one), be sure you are always "for" it as well, for the Lord's sake and the sake of your fellow believers - look up James 1:27.
In his book, "The Sins of the Saints," Dr. Herbert Lockyer has this searching paragraph under the heading, "The Bitterness of Criticism." "Bitter, unworthy and un-Christ-like criticism is the dead fly causing the ointment of many a good life to send forth a stinking savor. Whether in church or assembly, believe in it, and serve it with your utmost loyalty. Yes, and shield the faulty ones in the flock, exposing no one's dirty linen to the gaze of the public. If you disagree with a preacher, be silent about him before the godless. Do not tear him or any of your fellow Church members to pieces before children. To be guilty of dragging the failure of a church, preacher, or Christian before the world is to act as a traitor in the camp. This is a sin of which we are all more or less guilty."
4. EPAPHRAS WAS A MAN OF PRAYER
Colossians 4:12 tells us this. We should all be men and women of prayer, though some may be specially called to a ministry of prayer, as Epaphras was. Notice the three characteristics of Epaphras' praying:-
1. It was PERSISTENT prayer - "always." Is not this where we so frequently fail? Instead of holding on, we give up, look up Genesis 32:26, and compare Luke 18:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2. It was AGONISING prayer - "wrestling" or, quite literally, "striving in agony." Here is the idea of intensity in prayer - look up Acts 20:31.
3. It was INTELLIGENT prayer - "that you may stand firm, in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." What needs there is for such Spirit-taught praying - look up Romans 8:26.
5. EPAPHRAS WAS A TRUE MISSIONARY
This is clear from Colossians 4:13. This man had a deep concern, not only for the Christians at Colosse but also for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Have we any concern for the millions who have never heard the Gospel? Do we pray for their salvation? Do we give of our substance for missionary work? Could we go to the foreign field? May God give us all a true missionary vision!
Leaving a Spiritual Legacy:
Epaphras is mentioned only three times in the Bible. In three sentences across two books of the Bible, we catch a tiny glimpse of one man with a significant legacy of faith. It makes me wonder what three sentences might convey about my life after leaving.
A fellow believer.
In the book of Philemon, Paul refers to him as a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus and sends greetings to Philemon on his behalf. Epaphras was probably with Paul under his house arrest, making him a fellow prisoner in his companionship with Paul. This brief mention tells us little--only that Epaphras shares Paul's spiritual conviction and is presently working with him. It also shows us that he shares a personal relationship with Philemon of Colossae, a fellow believer. So far not a significant story, but we still have two more sentences to explore.
A servant of Christ
Colossians 4 gives us a deeper picture of Epaphras. In Colossians 4:12, Paul says, "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings." Epaphras is not a stranger to the congregation at Colossae; he is one of them. He is a servant who is obedient to Christ Jesus. He has followed God's leading and works with Paul as a missionary of God's kingdom. The congregation knows Epaphras in Colossae, and he is a member of their fellowship. He is invested in them, and they are his spiritual family.
A prayer warrior
Verse 12 goes on to say that, "He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." He is not just diligent in his work, but he is faithful on his knees. He is wrestling in prayer for those brothers and sisters in Christ,
whom he loves. He prays they are staying strong in their faith, are maturing in their faith day by day, and have confidence that God claims them. Epaphras is wrestling, fighting a spiritual battle on behalf of his beloved friends.
A worker for the kingdom
In verse 13, Paul elaborates and vouches for Epaphras's hard work on behalf of the churches of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Paul wants to know how faithfully their missionary works to spread the Gospel. His efforts on their behalf are significant! His faith is seen through his efforts, as he works persistently as their representative.
A spiritual guide
The last reference concerning Epaphras is earlier in the book of Colossians. Paul speaks about how the Colossian church has grown in faith and love for one another. He talks about how the Gospel has been bearing fruit worldwide as it began with them. Moreover, it began with them when they heard the Gospel from Epaphras and understood God's grace for the first time. Epaphras is the one who brought the Gospel to the Colossian church! He is their spiritual father and shepherd. Paul describes him as a "dear fellow servant, a faithful minister of Christ." These are words of compassion and admiration! Epaphras is a beloved friend and evangelist who shares Paul's passion for spreading the Gospel and guiding people to grow in faith.
An ambassador of the Gospel
We do not know what seminary training Epaphras had or anything else about his upbringing. We get only a glimpse of who Epaphras was and what compelled him in three small mentions. We know that he understood the Gospel of grace and passionately shared it with others. We know that he worked diligently as an ambassador for Christ. We know that he took that passion on the road with Paul to share the Gospel with those who still had not heard the message of grace, even to the point of joining Paul during his imprisonment. Even when miles separated him from those he loved, he remained passionate in praying for their spiritual growth.
Whom will you be?
What would people say about us? Could we leave such an impression in three sentences? May our legacy be that we understand the grace of God and work passionately for others to understand it too. May we be people on our knees wrestling in prayer for the faith life of our brothers and sisters.
A worker for the kingdom
In verse 13, Paul elaborates
(lovely), a fellow laborer with the apostle Paul mentioned (Colossians 1:7) as having taught the Colossian church the grace of God in truth and designated a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. He was at that time with St. Paul in Rome. (A.D. 57.) For Paul's
A contracted form of Epaphroditus. However, he must not be confounded with the messenger of the Philippian community. He was with Paul during a part of his 1st Roman imprisonment, joining in Paul's greetings to Philemon (Philemon 1:23). Epaphras was the missionary by whose instrumentality the Colossians had been converted to Christianity (Colossians 1:7), and probably the other churches of the Lycus had been founded by him. In sending his salutation to the Colossians, Paul testified, "He hath much labor for you, and them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis" (Colossians 4:13).
Epaphras had brought Paul good news of the progress of the Gospel, of their "faith in Christ Jesus," and of their love toward all the saints (Colossians 1:4). Paul's regard for him is shown by his designating him "our beloved fellow-servant," "a faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians 1:7), and "a bondservant of Christ Jesus" (Colossians 4:12). Paul uses the last designation several times of himself, but only once of another besides Epaphras (Philippians 1:1).
Epaphras Relationship with Jesus Christ
The Bible did not state when Epaphras trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior or shared the good news of the Gospel with him. One can only speculate on the answer to these questions. Most likely, we can say that the Apostle Paul did not lead him to Christ. Otherwise, he would have called Epaphras his son in the faith, like he did Titus (Tit. 1:4) and Timothy (I Tim. 1:2; II Tim. 1:2; 2:2). More than likely, someone else shared the most fantastic news Epaphras had ever heard. This individual pointed out to Epaphras that he was a sinner and had come short of God's mark of perfection (Rom. 3:23), and the wages of sin was death, or separation from God for all eternity in Hell (Rom. 6:23).
Nevertheless, the good news is that the Lord Jesus died on Calvary's cross to pay for his sins and rose again from the dead three days later. All Epaphras had to do, all he could do was to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, and not his works, good deeds, or any merit of his own (Eph. 2:8, 9; Tit. 3:5). When he trusted Christ alone, he was given the righteousness of God, the forgiveness of all his sins, a home in heaven, and the gift of eternal life (Phil. 3:9).
Epaphras' Training
Ephesus was a thriving metropolis in the mid-1st century A.D. People flocked to the city for business (trade and commerce), pleasure (the brothels), or pilgrimage and sightseeing. The Temple of Artemis / Diana was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and would have been the main attraction. More than likely, Epaphras met the Apostle Paul while visiting Ephesus when Paul was there on his third missionary journey, sometime between A.D. 52 and 55 (Acts 19). Paul went there because it was a very strategic city for the furtherance of the Gospel.
Paul and Timothy had set up a daily "discipleship training program" at the School of Tyrannus, next to the synagogue of Ephesus (Acts 19:9). As a result of this daily teaching program, Dr. Luke records: "And this continued for two years so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:10).
Paul and Timothy exhibited an effective tool to reach a large area with the Gospel. As Paul reminded Timothy, "You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (II Tim. 2:2).
Epaphras Confers with the Apostle Paul in Rome about the Theological Problems in the Lycus Valley
Epaphras had a good handle on the Word of God, but there were some issues he could not deal with. He sought out his mentor, the Apostle Paul, who was older, wiser, and more knowledgeable than himself in the Scriptures. After making some inquiries, he found out Paul was in prison in Rome (Philemon 1, 9, 10, 13). Epaphras took the long journey to the Eternal City to consult with Paul about the "Colossian Heresy" because he was concerned for the spiritual well-being of the churches in the Valley.
Epaphras Prayed Fervently for the Lord to Intervene Concerning the Problems in the Churches in the Lycus Valley
While Epaphras was in Rome, he spent many hours with the Apostle Paul and Dr. Luke. Something he learned about the Lord Jesus from Dr. Luke was a statement that Jesus made, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). Epaphras took this to heart because when Paul wrote back to the church at Colossae and said: "Epaphras … [was] always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Col. 4:12).
There are three things to notice about Epaphras' prayer life and prayers. First, it was constant. He was always praying. Does this mean he was shut in his prayer closet, down on bended knees, praying 24 hours a day for seven days a week? Probably not. However, I am sure that Epaphras, Paul, and the other believers that were with him in Rome had long prayer sessions where they prayed for the specific needs of individuals and churches. However, his heart was always in the attitude of prayer, and when the Lord prompted him with individuals or situations, he prayed for them.
On the other hand, when Paul wrote to Philemon, he identified Epaphras as his "fellow prisoner." If they were confined to chains, they did not have too many places to go or much else to do! But they could go boldly to the Throne of Grace and pray for the needs of the churches in the Lycus Valley (Heb. 4:16).
The second thing to notice about his prayers is that they were intense. He was "laboring fervently" in prayer. The Greek word "laboring fervently" is an athletic term for an athlete competing in some event and striving to win the prize. In a Greek athletic competition, an athlete either won or lost a competition; there was no second or third place. As Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers used to say: "Winning isn't everything; it is the only thing." The only way to win an event was to labor or strive fervently. Epaphras made it to the Bema Seat (rewarding stand) when Paul reminded the Lycus Valley that Epaphras was laboring fervently for them in prayer.
The third thing that should be noticed about Epaphras' prayers is that they were specific; they were "for you." I am sure they were not the sort: "God bless the people in the churches in the Lycus Valley." No, they were specific for individuals and the situations they found themselves in. He would pray specifically for Brother so and so who was dabbling in the Colossian syncretism, and Epaphras interceded on his behalf that the Lord would ground this brother in the Word of God. He would see the errors of syncretism . Alternatively, he would pray for Sister so and so who was setting up images of angels in her house in order to worship them and invoke their protection. Epaphras prayed that the Lord would intervene and remove them, and she would see the uselessness of worshiping mere objects when she could be worshiping the Creator of the Universe, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul concludes this section by using a legal word picture of a witness who appears before a court and gives testimony to an event (4:13). In this case, he testifies to the saints in the Lycus Valley that Epaphras had a "great zeal for you." In other words, Epaphras gave 100% of his effort in prayer and work for the people in the three churches in the valley: Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Applications
Epaphras did not return with Tychicus and Philemon when they took the letters to the Lycus Valley. What happens to him after that, we do not know. Does he stay with Paul in Rome? Was he eventually martyred? Does he return to the Lycus Valley after Paul is released from his imprisonment? Scripture and church history are silent on these questions. There are, however, at least three things we can learn from the life of this man of prayer.
First, he exercised his gift as an evangelist in planting churches in the Lycus Valley. It seems that churches today hire somebody to be called the pastor and pay him to exercise all the spiritual gifts so they can sit back and be entertained! The New Testament Church did not function that way. God gave gifted men and women to the Body of Christ, and each believer was given at least one spiritual gift that could be exercised to build up the local church. Epaphras had the gift of an evangelist. Not all of us have that gift. The gift is not to be confused with the command to evangelize. To evangelize is for all believers. Believers in the Lord Jesus should know their gift and exercise it.
Second, when he saw a problem in the church, he made it his priority to pray about the situation. His prayers were not just, "God bless the people at Colossae," but rather fervent, continuous prayers for the people and situation that arose in the churches of the Lycus Valley. Epaphras knew that God changes the hearts of men and women, which is why he labored much in prayer. How much emphasis do we put on intercessory prayer? What are our priorities for the mid-week prayer meeting?
Third, when he realized his lack of understanding on specific issues, he sought godly counsel from an individual who knew the Word of God better than he did and who knew what the issues were.
Well might we learn some practical lessons from this man of fervent prayer and apply them to our own lives and go out and build up the Body of Christ for His honor and glory.
