In brief
Epaphras is a Christian from Colossae, “our beloved fellow servant” according to Paul (Colossians 1:7). The Colossians learned the gospel from him, and it was he who reported their love to Paul. Paul describes him as a servant of Christ who is “always striving” for them in his prayers, with great zeal also for Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13). In the letter to Philemon he is “my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:23). He is the quiet servant who carries his church before God.
What does the name Epaphras mean?
Epaphras is generally understood as a shortened form of Epaphroditus, a Greek name linked to the goddess Aphrodite and meaning “charming” or “graceful.” The Bible does not explain his name. He should not be confused with Epaphroditus, the envoy of the church at Philippi (Philippians 2:25), even though the two names are related.
The story of Epaphras
The gospel reaches Colossae through Epaphras
Colossians 1:3-7Paul gives thanks for the Colossians’ faith and love, born of the word of the truth of the Good News, which bears fruit in all the world. They learned it, he writes, “of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf.” Paul did not found this church: Epaphras taught it.
The messenger who reports the Colossians’ love
Colossians 1:8Epaphras made the journey to Paul, a prisoner, to bring news: he is the one “who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.” Thanks to his report, Paul knows the faith of the church and can also answer, in his letter, the dangers that threaten it. Epaphras is the link between the apostle and the believers of the Lycus valley.
A struggle in prayer
Colossians 4:12In his greetings Paul writes that Epaphras, “who is one of you,” a servant of Christ, is “always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Far from his church, he never stops serving it: he struggles for it before God.
Concern for three cities
Colossians 4:13Paul adds his testimony: “he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.” The heart of Epaphras reaches beyond the walls of Colossae to the neighboring churches. Paul wants the Colossians to know how much this man, whom they know well, spends himself for them in prayer and in care for the brothers.
Paul’s fellow prisoner
Philemon 1:23-24Writing to Philemon, a member of the church at Colossae, Paul first passes on greetings from “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,” then from Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke. In one way or another, Epaphras shares the apostle’s captivity. His faithfulness to the gospel reaches the point of paying its price alongside Paul.
What Epaphras teaches us
- You can be the channel through which the gospel reaches your city: Colossae heard the good news through one of its own.
- Praying for others is a struggle, not a formality: ask that your brothers and sisters stand firm in the will of God.
- True ministry is measured by faithfulness, not visibility: Epaphras left no writing, but Paul testifies that he is a faithful servant of Christ.
- Open your heart beyond your own church: Epaphras cared also for Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Key verses
Paul presents Epaphras as his beloved fellow servant and a faithful servant of Christ: it is from him that the Colossians received the teaching of the gospel.
Epaphras strives constantly in prayer so that the Colossians will stand firm, perfect and complete in the will of God. Prayer here is a real struggle.
Epaphras is called Paul’s fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus. His faithfulness to the gospel links him to the apostle’s sufferings, even in prison.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Epaphras
- Epaphras: Who Are You Becoming While You Wait?During an unanswered wait, Estelle Martorano discovers Epaphras and draws questions from him: will you be faithful where you are, will you carry others in prayer, as he who never stops striving for the Colossians (Colossians 4:12)?
- We Have Everything, Fully, in ChristThe sermon recalls that the church of Colossae was founded by Epaphras, Paul’s fellow servant: according to the preacher, touched by the gospel while Paul was teaching at Ephesus, he went back home to share the good news.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Epaphras in the Bible?
Epaphras is a Christian from Colossae through whom the Colossians received the gospel (Colossians 1:7). Paul calls him his beloved fellow servant, a faithful servant of Christ who strives constantly in prayer for the believers of Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:12-13). In Philemon 1:23 he is Paul’s fellow prisoner.
What does the name Epaphras mean?
Epaphras is generally considered a short form of Epaphroditus, a Greek name built on that of Aphrodite and understood as “charming” or “graceful.” The Bible does not comment on the name. The Epaphroditus of the letter to the Philippians is another person, sent by the church at Philippi to Paul.
Where is Epaphras found in the Bible?
Epaphras is mentioned three times, always in Paul’s letters: Colossians 1:7-8, where he is presented as the one who taught the gospel to the Colossians; Colossians 4:12-13, which describes his struggle in prayer; and Philemon 1:23, where he greets Philemon as Paul’s fellow prisoner.