Charles Ellicott Commentary Colossians 4:13

"For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis." — Colossians 4:13 (ASV)

On the natural union of Laodicea and Hierapolis with Colossae, partly local and historical, partly, no doubt, having reference to their conversion by the same instrumentality (of Epaphras), see Note on Colossians 2:1 and Introduction. Epaphras is said to have great “zeal” (properly, great labour) of anxiety—finding vent in the wrestling in prayer noted above—for all three cities, for which he evidently still felt himself responsible. In such responsibility, as in the charges of Timothy and Titus, we see the link between the apostolate of this period and the episcopacy of the future.