Reference: Epaphras

Supposed to have founded the church at Colosse, and denominated by Paul his "dear fellow-servant" and "a faithful minister of Jesus Christ." Col 1:7; 4:12. He was for a time an inmate of Paul's house of imprisonment at Rome.

lovely, spoken of by Paul (Col 1:7; 4:12) as "his dear fellow-servant," and "a faithful minister of Christ." He was thus evidently with him at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He was a distinguished disciple, and probably the founder of the Colossian church. He is also mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (Phm 1:23), where he is called by Paul his "fellow-prisoner."

Paul's "dear fellow servant, who is for you (the Colossian Christians, Col 1:7) a faithful minister of Christ," perhaps implying Epaphras was the founder of the Colossian church. In Phm 1:23, "my fellow prisoner." Apprehended possibly for his zealous labors in Asia Minor; literally, "fellow captive" (sunaichmalootos), taken in the Christian warfare (Php 2:25), or else more probably designated so as Paul's faithful companion in imprisonment. He had been sent by the Colossians to inquire after and minister to Paul.

Aristarchus is designated Paul's "fellow prisoner" in Col 4:10, and his "fellow laborer" in Phm 1:24 (both epistles were sent at the same time). But, vice versa, Epaphras in the Epistle to Philemon is" his fellow prisoner," and in the Epistle to the Colossians "his fellow laborer." In Col 4:12 Paul thus commends him, "Epaphras who is one of you (a native or resident of Colosse), a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently (agoonizomenos, 'striving as in the agony of a contest') for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

Mentioned by St. Paul in Col 1:7; 4:12; Phm 1:23; and described by him as his 'fellow-servant,' and also as a 'servant' and 'faithful minister' of Christ. He was a native or inhabitant of Coloss

Ep'aphras

Fellow prisoner with Paul at Rome. He laboured at Colosse, to which place he belonged. He is described as 'a faithful minister of Christ,' and one who agonised in prayer for the Colossians, with zeal for their welfare. Col 1:7; 4:12; Phm 1:23.

Ep'aphras

(lovely), a fellow laborer with the apostle Paul, mentioned

Col 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 at Rome. (A.D. 57.) For Paul's estimate of him see

Col 1:7-8; 4:12