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EPAPHRAS

(Gk. Epaphrás)

A Colossian whom Paul describes as “beloved fellow servant,” “faithful minister of Christ,” “servant of Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:7; 4:12-13), and “fellow prisoner” (Phlm. 23). That his name appears at the head of the list in Philemon and that Paul calls him doúlos and sýndoulos, terms used for himself but infrequently of others, indicate Paul’s high regard for him. Epaphras founded the Colossian church (Col. 1:7), brought news of it to Paul (vv. 4-8), and bore responsibility for it and perhaps Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:13). His “earnest prayer” (agonizōmenos) for those churches is indicated by the same term used to describe Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane and Paul’s own struggles for the gospel (Col. 1:29). Epaphras prays that the Colossians will be mature (téleioi) and fully assured (peplērophorēménoi) in the will of God (Col. 4:12), terms alluding to rival teachers in Colossae. Epaphras’ prayer, like Paul’s (Col. 1:3-12), opposes their “philosophy” (2:8). Paul’s confidence in and commendation of Epaphas raise his status among the Colossians and inspire their confidence in him (as opposed to the false teachers). Epaphras is perhaps an abridgement of Epaphroditus, but no evidence connects him with the Epaphroditus of Phil. 2:25; 4:18.

Bibliography. D. E. Hiebert, “Epaphras, Man of Prayer,” BSac 136 (1979): 54-64.

Bonnie Thurston

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EPAPHRAS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)