5/6/25 - “Epaphras Our Dear Fellow Servant”

 

Epaphras is mentioned only three times in Scripture, but his impact on the Colossians was significant. I am impressed with this man in the few sentences Paul wrote in the books of Colossians and Philemon. They speak volumes about this Christian, who sacrificed so that not only would he be free from sin, but also others would follow the Lord. Let us study about Epaphras and learn three important lessons from the apostle Paul.

 

First, Paul credited Epaphras for spreading the gospel to the Colossians (Col. 1:6-7). He called Epaphras a “fellow servant” and a “faithful minister of Christ.” Paul does not go into detail here, but in I Timothy 4:6, a “good minister” will put people in “remembrance” of what has been taught. No doubt Epaphras would have taught the Colossians things they had not heard before, but also continued with the brethren to remind them of things they had been taught. Being described as “faithful” would also mean he spoke God’s truth in the same manner as Paul taught Timothy, to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). He would have been a man who spoke “as the oracles of God” (I Pet. 4:11). The results of Epaphras’ preaching was there was a significant number of people who became Christians, and these people were faithful to God. That is evident as we continue to read the book.

 

Not only was Epaphras faithful to preach the truth, but he was also a man of prayer (Col. 4:12). Epaphras was a man who labored “fervently for you in prayers.” I am impressed with this description. Epaphras’ prayers were not casual, but intense, with a clear purpose: “That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”! This description of Epaphras’ prayers should inspire us to reevaluate our prayer life. Do we pray to God with this kind of intensity? If not, why not? Are we still praying the prayers we prayed when we were first Christians and needed to grow in the Lord (Heb. 5:12-14; II Pet. 2:2)? The impact of those “effectual, fervent” prayers of Epaphras was felt by the brethren at Colossae and perhaps by Paul himself and others.

 

Lastly, when studying about this man, we also see he spent time in prison for preaching the truth of the gospel (Phile. 23). We are not privy to the time or his specific treatment. Still, Paul calls him a “fellowprisoner,” which makes me think he was imprisoned for the same or similar reasons as Paul, perhaps around the same time. Epaphras takes his place with such worthies as Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7), Aristarchus (Col. 4:10), Silas (Acts 16:19-25), and other named and unnamed Christians who suffered for the cause of Christ. His suffering was not in vain. It significantly impacted the spread of the gospel and the strengthening of the church at Colossae.

 

Epaphras was a brave man who served God and Paul, suffered for the Lord’s cause, and showed his unwavering love for the brethren that he had brought to the Lord. His example is one that we should not overlook. He could have said as Paul said to “follow me as I follow Christ” (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). In our Bible study, let us slow down and make sure we notice men and women like Epaphras. Their example is left for us that we might see what a faithful servant of God looks like. Let us eagerly study their lives and learn from their experiences, for they have much to teach us about faith, sacrifice, and service.

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs