Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 4:12

"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." — Colossians 4:12 (ASV)

Epaphras, mentioned in 1:7 as the founder of the Colossian church and as Paul’s representative, is here described as “one of you” (cf. v.9) and as “a servant of Christ Jesus.” Paul reminds the Colossians that Epaphras was continually “wrestling” (GK 76; cf. 1:29 for the same word) for them in his prayers. He was concerned that they stand firm, mature, and fully convinced in relation to everything God wills. Undoubtedly he had in mind the possibility of their wavering under the influence of the heretical teaching at Colosse.