Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
12. Epaphras ] Cp. Col 1:7, and note.
who is one of you ] Cp. Col 4:9, and note.
a servant of Christ ] A designation true of all Christians; see Eph 6:6. Here it seems to denote a man in whom the holy “bondservice” was markedly illustrated; perhaps specially in his pastoral or missionary character. Cp. 2Ti 2:24.
“ Of Christ ” : read, of Christ Jesus.
labouring ] Wrestling; “as Jacob of old with the Angel.” See notes on Col 1:29, Col 2:2; and cp. Rom 15:30. Epaphras prayed as one who grappled with trials to faith and perseverance in the work of prayer. The word “ fervently ” is inserted in the A.V. (as in older English Versions) to express the intensity of a wrestle. The Latin Versions, somewhat weakly, have semper sollicitus pro vobis; Wyclif, better (though rendering from them), “ euer bisie for you.”
in prayers ] Lit., “ in the prayers,” almost as if, “ in his prayers.” Epaphras was Paul’s true scholar in the school of intercession. See Col 1:9.
stand ] Stand fast better represents the best-supported reading here.
perfect ] See note on the word, Col 1:28. And cp. Php 3:15, and note.
complete ] I.e., “ filled full.” So Old Latin, adimpleti; Vulgate, pleni; all English Versions before A.V., “ full.” R.V., fully assured; adopting another and better supported reading, which gives the verb used also in e.g. Rom 4:21; Rom 14:5; and cognate to the noun used ch. Col 2:2, where see note. The usage of this verb (see Lightfoot’s note) leaves the rendering “ filled ” still possible; but the parallels in St Paul are in favour of R.V. Epaphras prayed, in effect, that their Christian consistency might be mature (“ perfect ”) and consciously decided.
in all the will ] More lit., “ in every will ” ; in every part of the will. The thought is the attentive obedience which holds sacred each detail of the Master’s orders. Cp. Eph 5:15-17; and see above ch. Col 1:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Epaphras – Notes, Col 1:7.
Always laboring fervently for you in prayers – Margin, or striving. Greek: agonizing. The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare.
That ye may stand perfect and complete – Margin, as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the mixture of philosophy and error, and completely perform the will of God in every respect. This is the expression of a pious wish in regard to them, without any affirmation that any had been absolutely perfect, or that they would be perfect in this world. It is, however, a command of God that we should be perfect (see Mat 5:48), and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to anyone that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God; compare the notes at 1Co 13:9.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Col 4:12-13
Epaphras, who is one of you.
The sympathy of Christianity
1. If you think of Christianity as a great thought, a transcendental doctrine, a grand conception, you are right; and if you think the preacher is called upon to speak the language of earth in she accent of heaven and expound celestial mysteries, you are right. But this is not all. A man who would describe the present scene as all firmament would be wrong; but a man who omitted the firmament from a landscape would be a fool. It is the sky in a landscape painting that often first attracts attention. There could be no landscape were there no sky. So with this great Christian truth: it is firmamental, but it is the sky out of which our landscape comes–the immeasurable, out of which our units and definite lines are given to us. Christianity is not only the highest metaphysic, it is the most absolute practical teaching and sympathy.
2. What have these personal salutations to do in the Bible? When the apostle began this great letter, he seemed to strike a grand key, and to call the universe to hear. He speaks of One who is the image of the invisible God, etc. That is grand music. Let that organ roll out its rythmic thunders, and while they charm us make us solemn; but here at the end he begins to talk about Aristarchus, etc. Is he out of tune at last? Does the anthem die off into a mean piping, or is there still sweet music in it, encompassing, not shaking, the high heavens, but making the household glad, filling every room of it with sacred glee.
3. The more Christianity is understood the more will manhood go up in value. Christianity takes us all in charge–women, poor people, the sick. It goes to the merchant and says: I have seen to-day many poor, sick ones, who want kindly treatment and practical sympathy, and you must give it. Any religion that talks so about men and to men is presumptively a true religion. Christianity has a message from every-man to every other man.
I. Epaphras, who is one of you.
1. Being a native of Colossae he carries it in his heart to Rome. The idea of the Church is domestic. We do not realize that. Our idea of it is approximation without identity, proximity without sympathy, a hebdomadal meeting and a week-long parting, a cold how do? without answer being waited for. The poor, simple soul thought you meant it, and was just about to ten you how be did when you jumped into your chariot and drove off. Christs idea was that of a house, and Paul that of a family–in whom the whole family, etc. See how these Christians love one another. They have a great respect for one another, a marvellous respect, an official respect; but the old apostolic unity and downright warm love–where is it? And echo answers where?
2. One of you, though not at home. We think that going from home deprives a man of his proper belongings in the Church. A young man leaves us and goes to New Zealand. Is he no longer one of us? The poor lads heart ached when the good-bye was forced out of him; but now that he is fifteen thousand miles away we say, He once belonged to us. We want a warmer language and a more affectionate fellowship in God. How large a Church would be if we interpreted its membership in this way, that a man who is in a far-off city is still one of us, and still claims us, wonders what hymns we are singing, and what the text is. We are in danger of degrading the church into a meeting-house, a place of casual association, and of cutting off all those fine living bonds which ought to be independent of time and place, which make Rome Colossae and Colossae Rome, every land a home, and every Christian a brother.
II. A servant of Christ.
1. Are you fond of titles? This is the one the King will give you. It is select, and yet might be universal. Let the noblest envy you. Other titles are sounds, sometimes sounds and fury, signifying nothing. But this signifies to be the slave of Him who though He was rich, etc.
2. What are the signs by which a servant of Christ is known? Those who are skilled in such things can go through a picture gallery and say, This picture is after So-and-so. There is a manner that can be but feebly imitated by the most skilful hands. So you cannot mistake a man who has been with Christ. In the early days there were those who took knowledge of disciples that they had been with Jesus. You have been in a garden of spices; I know it; you bring the fragrance with you. You have seen some solemn sight; I know it; vulgarity is ironed out of your face, and it is transfigured. You have heard strange music, and all the meaner elements have been taken out of you. You have been with Christ, and I know it by the tenderness and simplicity of your speech, by the diligence of your service, by the lavishness of your liberality.
III. saluteth you. That would not do now. I get letters from Christian friends that I would not send to a day labourer whom I had never seen in my life before. They are too correct to be true, too proper to be good.
IV. Always labouring fervently for you in prayer.
1. I do not know that Epaphras was an eloquent preacher, but he was mighty in intercession. He threw his arms around his native Church, and toiled in prayer for them till his brow was bedewed as with agony, and his whole face lighted up with saintly expectation that he might see the descending blessing. That I can do for my friends. I may not be able to write elaborate letters, but I can pray for them. That you can do for me.
2. What did Epaphras pray for? That ye may stand perfect–like a ship in full gale. Let that be my posture; no harsh, bitter wind striking me in the face, and making my sea-faring difficult, but a great favouring gale, bearing me onward, all sail set, towards the will of God. (J. Parker, D. D.)
The ministry of Epaphras
I. His object: that the Colossians might stand perfect, etc. The will of God has reference–
1. To our perfection in the knowledge of revealed truth. The Bible is a revelation of Gods will with respect to us, and is able to make us wise unto salvation. Why has God put it before us but that we should study it. Our Lord reproved His disciples because of their want of due attention to His teaching, and the Hebrews are rebuked for their want of proficiency, and are exhorted to go on to perfection. This perfect knowledge is necessary–
(1) To religious usefulness.
(2) To progressive and entire sanctification. Sanctify them through Thy truth.
2. To our salvation from sin. This must be complete before we can enter heaven; but provision is made in the blood which cleanseth from all sin, and in the grace of the Spirit who sanctifies wholly.
3. To the graces of the Spirit.
(1) Faith. This admits of degrees. There is the weak faith of babes; the strong faith of young men; the ripe faith of fathers, when it is perfect.
(2) Love. This admits of degrees. I may have a sincere love for God, and yet not love Him with all my heart; a sincere love of man, and yet not as myself. But the love set forth in Scripture is perfect love.
(3) Hope. All Christians have this, but not all in an equal degree. It is not every believer who can say with John, Even so; come, Lord Jesus. That is, however, the full assurance of hope for which we should all strive.
(4) The passive graces, such as patience, which is to have her perfect work that ye may be perfect, etc.
4. To our actual conduct in the world. Christs religion is a practical religion (Tit 2:11-12), and is to assume a perfect form (Heb 13:20-21). To bring up His people to this standard God has said, My grace is sufficient for thee.
5. To our stability and perseverance. Epaphras is anxious not only that the Colossians should be perfect in their conformity to the Divine will, but that they should stand in that state to the end of life. It is the end which crowns the work. It is not he who runs well for a season, but he who continues to the end, to whom the promise of life is given.
II. The means of securing this object–Prayer. From this we learn–
1. That Christians can only be brought to this high standard by Gods grace and blessing. Had they been able of themselves, prayer would have been presumptuous. We do not ask God to do for us what we can do for ourselves. But we never can be made Christians but by God–and God can make perfect Christians; and the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit must not be limited.
2. That prayer is available with God for obtaining needful grace. There are some who restrict the power of prayer to its subjective influence. If this were true, prayer for others would be of no avail. I might pray for one whom I love, and my prayer might exercise my benevolent feelings, but the person for whom I pray will receive no benefit. Away with so God-dishonouring a notion. Some of you, perhaps, have near relatives across the sea. Take encouragement. Gods arm of power and mercy can reach them. Bring their cases before Him.
(1) Notice the earnestness and importunity of his prayer. True prayer is a labour. We ought in prayer to labour for a just apprehension of the Divine character, of the mediation of Christ, of the import of the promises.
(2) Notice the connection of prayer with this object–the fulfilment of Gods will. The glory of God is dear to every pious heart. Our Lord, therefore, taught us to pray, Thy will be done, etc.
3. That the honour of true religion is connected with the perfection of Christian character. The world judges of Christians by their conduct
4. That the welfare of Christians is connected with their perfection of character. Spiritual as well as bodily happiness depends on the state of the health. (T. Jackson.)
Labouring fervently for you in prayers.
Prayer the noblest form of work
I. Prayer is religion in action, and is the noblest kind of human exertion. It is the one department of action in which man realizes the highest privilege and capacities of his being. And in doing this he is enriched and ennobled almost indefinitely.
2. That this view of prayer is not universal is notorious. It is thought an excellent thing for clergymen, recluses, sentimentalists, and women and children generally; that it has its uses as a form of desultory occupation, an outlet for feel ing, a means of discipline, but altogether less worthy of the energies of a thinking man than hard work in study or business.
3. In response to this let those speak who have really prayed. They sometimes describe prayer with Jacob, as a wrestling together with an unseen power, which may last even to the break of day (Gen 32:24)
, or with Paul, as a concerted struggle (Rom 15:30). They have their eyes fixed on the Great Intercessor in Gethsemane (Luk 22:44). Importunity is of the essence of successful prayer (Luk 11:8; Luk 18:5; Mat 15:27-28; Mar 7:28-29); and importunity means not dreaminess, but sustained work, and of an energetic character (Mat 11:12). Bishop Hamilton, of Salisbury, once said that no man was likely to do much good in prayer who did not begin by looking upon it in the light of a work, to be prepared for and persevered in with all the earnestness which we bring to bear on subjects which are the most interesting and necessary. This will appear if we take an act of prayer to pieces. To pray is–
I. To put the understanding in motion, and to direct it upon the highest object to which it Can address itself. How overwhelming are the truths which pass before us–a boundless Power, an eternal Existence. Then the substance of the petition, its motives, the issues which depend on its being granted or refused present them selves to the mind, as does the Intercessor who presents our prayers.
II. To put the affections is motion. The object of prayer is the uncreated Love, and to be in His presence is to be conscious of heart expansion; and when the matter of prayer is blessing for others and not for self, all the best emotions and sentiments are called into play (Mat 15:8; 1Jn 3:21-22).
III. To put the will in motion, just as decidedly as we do when we sit down to read hard, or to walk up a steep hill against time (Joh 9:31; Mat 7:21; Jam 4:7-8; all of which imply that prayer in which the will is not engaged is worthless. That sovereign power does not merely impel us to make the first necessary mental effort, but enters most penetratingly and vitally into the very action of prayer itself (Gen 32:26). These three ingredients of prayer are ingredients in all real work, whether of the brains or the hands. The difference is that in prayer they are more equally balanced. Study may in time become intellectual habit, which scarcely demands any effort of will; handiwork may in time become so mechanical as to require little or no guidance from thought; each may exist without the co-operation of the affections. Not so prayer. It is always the joint act of the will and the understanding, impelled by the affections; and when either will or intelligence is wanting, prayer at once ceases to be itself, by degenerating into a barren, intellectual exercise, or into a mechanical and unspiritual routine. (Canon Liddon.)
Fervent labour in prayer
The word here used signifies to strive, or wrestle, as those do who strive for mastery; it notes the vehemency and fervency of this mans prayers for the Colossians. As the wrestlers do bend and writhe and stretch and strain every joint of their bodies, so did Epaphras every joint of his soul that he might be victorious with God upon the Colossians account. So Jacob when alone with God (Gen 32:24-27; Hos 12:4-5)
wrestles and weeps, and weeps and wrestles; he holds his hold, and will not let God go, till as a Prince he has prevailed. (T. Brooks.)
The value of intercessory prayer
This was no passing wish, sentimental desire, transient emotion. The burden of Epaphras heart was the good of the Church, and in proportion to the fervency of his affection was the importunity of his petition. There may be no help more needed, no succour more sure, than that obtained through prayer. Who can tell what good may come to the wilful and wayward boy far away at sea, or in some distant land, from the unceasing intercessions of his mother, wrestling for him with God? You have a dear friend in sorrow at a distance. You cannot reach him to comfort him, but you can reach him by prayer more effectively than if you could see him face to face. Many a time has Gods work revived, and rich spiritual blessing come to a congregation, through the earnest supplication of some obscure member. We do not ourselves know all that we owe to the prayers of others. There are circumstances in which we can do nothing but pray for those in whom we are deeply interested. Especially is it so with pastors. Some may seem ready to faint in the conflict; some fair blossoms of spiritual promise may be going up as dust; some often warned and entreated may be becoming more callous, or on the point of making shipwreck of faith, etc.; what can be done for such? The mightiest resource is persevering prayer. It is God alone whose help is all powerful, and this prayer can secure. (J. Spence, D. D.)
The power of prayer
A spoonful of water sets a hydraulic press in motion, and brings into operation a force of tons weight; so a drop of prayer at one end may move an influence at the other which is omnipotent. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.–
Standing in perfectness
1. There is no kind of qualification to this, no hint that Paul thought that Epaphras was asking with an extravagant expectation. They were no sham prayers; struggles after impossible attainments, but those that he and Paul thought might be realized. Such prayers are in conflict with modern notions, which regard perfection as beyond the range of practical Christianity.
2. What made Epaphras believe that he might ask this?
(1)
Pauls teaching. We pray for this, even your perfection. That we may present every man perfect.
(2) Christs words, Be ye perfect, etc.
3. Was this an attainment to be expected in this life or the next? In this. Paul wrote that he had not attained, etc., but he appealed to the Philippians on the supposition that he and they were perfect. And so Christ teaches us to pray, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, i.e., perfectly. There is no difficulty here. It is our duty to be entirely conformed to the will of God, and yet see a point beyond our highest attainments, and say, We must reach that also. Let us consider the purpose of these prayers.
I. Negatively.
1. It is not that full knowledge and obedience may be achieved at once. This is impossible under the conditions imposed by the flesh, and both will be progressive under heavenly conditions. But we are to act according to our several ability. A child in the alphabet class must not be expected to do the work of the higher forms, either in the school of nature or of grace. It is enough that each does thoroughly what is allotted to it. An infant is perfect, but not in the same sense as a man. So it is in the kingdom of God.
2. It is not that temptation will be absent. Both Paul and Christ were fiercely tempted.
3. It is not that there will be an unbroken flow of joy and peace. No person is capable of being continuously under the same emotions, and alternations of joy and gloom make no difference to our spiritual standing, so long as under both we abide in God. There were changes of feeling in Paul and Christ.
II. Positively. It is that we may do the will of God as far as we know it. We are not to ordain an impossible standard. Our King distributes to us a variety of talents. Hence the young act differently from the old; men from women; sickly from healthy, and yet in each the love of God may be perfected, viz., in the keeping of His commandments. And these commandments have a wonderful variety, and relate to secular as well as spiritual employments, since all life by the Christian is devoted to God. Do you say that this is an easy kind of perfection? Try it–Or that it is inconspicuous? True, so was Christs generally. Only on occasions did His divinity flash forth.
2. It is that we may use the means for our fulfilling the will of God perfectly. Epaphras laboured in prayers, which denotes the power from which we are to derive our ability. We must go to God and He will supply all our need: in faith in His faithfulness who has promised, who also will do it, even sanctify us wholly. (D. G. Watt, M. A.)
Christian perfection
A Christian may be said to be perfect in respect–
I. Of the cause or fountain of holiness; so good gifts are said to be perfect (Jam 1:17)
, as they are from God.
II. Of consecration (Heb 1:10; Heb 5:9). Christ was perfect because set apart to a perfect calling which He fulfilled perfectly.
III. Of acceptation, not in respect of operation, the Lord accounting our confession of imperfection for perfection.
IV. Of parts, though not in respect of degrees; he is perfect in that he hath holiness in every part, though not in such measure. Thus to be perfect is to be sanctified throughout.
V. Comparatively, not positively. A Christian that makes conscience of all his ways, and can love his enemies, is perfect (Mat 5:48), in comparison of carnal men, that follow the swing of their own corruptions and affections.
VI. Of truth, though not in respect of absoluteness. Thus he is perfect, because he desires and endeavours after perfection, though in act he attains it not.
VII. Of men or common estimation, and so he is perfect that is unrebukable.
VIII. Of the end, and so he may be said to be perfect–
1. In intention, because he sets perfection as a mark to shoot at (Php 3:1.)
2. In respect of duration, because he holds out to the end.
3. In respect of accomplishment, because he finisheth what he under taketh in godliness, or mortification, he doth it not by halves, or in some parts of it, for so to perfect is translated to finish (Act 20:24; Joh 4:34; Joh 17:4). (N. Byfield.)
All the will of God
There are people who would be content to do some part of what God wills, provided they might be excused the rest; as, for example, to believe the truth which God has revealed, but not to do the good works which He has commanded; or to exercise some of them, but utterly fail in others: as they who live fair with men, but remain in impiety, and in the profession of error; or those, on the contrary, who make profession of error; or those, again, who make open profession of the pure service of God, but spare not either the goods or honour of their neighbours; or who, abstaining from one vice, license themselves to others; who are chaste, but covetous; or liberal and beneficial to the poor, but corrupt and incontinent. This partition is unjust, injurious to God, impossible in truth, and incompatible with the nature of the things themselves. (J. Daille.)
He hath a great zeal for you.–
The nature of zeal
Zeal is an intense earnestness for the accomplishment of its object. It is defined in our latest dictionary as a passionate ardour in the pursuit and accomplishment of it. It is not, therefore, a great excitement of feeling, mere demonstrative warmth of expression, mere quickness of the motion, but something far more deep and en during. It is a working, practical energy; a power which may be directed to things indifferent, good or bad. (E. Garbett, M. A.)
Fervent zeal
A little before his death Gregory Thaumaturgus made a strict inquiry whether there were any persons in the city and neighbourhood still strangers to Christianity. Being told there were about seventeen in all, he sighed, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, appealed to God how much it troubled him that any of his fellow-townsmen should still remain unacquainted with salvation. (Milner.)
It is said of Holy Bradford, preaching, reading, and prayer, was his whole life. I rejoice, said Bishop Jewel, that my body is exhausted in the labours of my holy calling. Let racks, fires, pulleys, and all manner of torments come, so I may win Christ, said Ignatius. (Watson.)
Reinerius, their adversary, declares that a certain Waldensian heretic, with a view of turning a person from the Catholic faith (for such he calls the Romish errors), swam over a river in the night, and in the winter, to come to him, and to teach him the novel doctrines. (Milner.)
Laodicea (see on Col 2:1). Hierapolis.–On the north side of the valley of Lycus, opposite to the sloping hills which mark the site of Laodicea, is a broad level terrace jutting out from the mountain side, and overhanging the plain with almost precipitous sides. On this plateau are scattered the vast ruins of Hierapolis. It is here that the remarkable physical features which distinguish the valley display themselves in the fullest perfection. Over the steep cliffs which support the plateau of the city tumble cascades of pure white stone, the deposit of calcareous matter from the streams which, after traversing this upper level, are precipitated over the ledge into the plain beneath, and assume the most fantastic shapes in their descent. At one time overhanging in cornices fringed with stalactites, at another hollowed out into basins or broken up with ridges, they mark the site of the city at a distance, glistening on the mountain side like foaming cataracts frozen in the fall. Like Laodicea, Hierapolis was at this time an important and a growing city, though not like Laodicea, holding Metropolitan rank. Besides the trade in dyed wools, which it shared in common with the neighbouring towns, it had a source of wealth peculiar to itself. The streams to which the scenery owes its remarkable features are endowed with valuable medicinal qualities, while at the same time they are so copious that the ancient city is described as full of self-made baths. An inscription still legible celebrates their virtues, Hail, fairest soil in all broad Asias realm; hail, golden city, nymph Divine, bedecked with flowing rills, thy jewels, and (Esculapius and Hygeia appear on still extant coins. To the ancient magnificence of Hierapolis its ruins bear ample testimony. A city which combined the pursuit of health and gaiety had fitly chosen as its patron deity Apollo, the god alike of medicine and festivity, here worshipped as Archegetes, the founder. But more important, as illustrating its religious temper, is the fact, that there was a spot called the Plutonium, a hot well or spring, from whose hot mouth issued a fatal memphitic vapour, from the effects of which the mutilated priests of Cybele alone, so it was believed, were free. Indeed this city appears to have been a chief centre of the passionate mystical devotion of ancient Phrygia. But in addition to this religious rites were borrowed from other parts of the East, more especially from Egypt. By the multitude of her temples Hierapolis established her right to the title of the sacred city which she bore. Though, at this time, we have no record of her famous citizens, such as graced the annals of Laodicea, yet a generation or two later she numbered among her sons one nobler far than the rhetoricians, sophists, millionaires, and princes, of whom her neighbour could boast. The lame slave, Epictetus, the loftiest of heathen moralists, must have been growing up to manhood when the first rumours of the gospel reached his native city. Did any chance throw him across the path of Epaphras, or of St. Paul? We should be glad to think that the greatest of Christian and the greatest of heathen preachers met together face to face. Such a meeting would solve more than one riddle, and explain some strange coincidences in their writings. Drawn by trade, and by its charms as a gay watering-place, a very considerable colony of Jews settled down in Hierapolis, which gave point to a Talmudic complaint, The wines and baths of Phrygia have separated the ten tribes from Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem one of the chief settlements of the Christian dispersion was here, which explains how the Phrygian Churches assumed such a prominence in the ecclesiastical history of the second century. Here settled Philip of Bethsaida, the early friend and fellow-townsman of St. John, who took up his abode in Ephesus, and the first apostle who held communication with the Gentiles (Joh 12:20). Here he died and was buried; and here, after his decease, lived his two virgin daughters, from whom Papias heard several stories of the first preachers of the gospel, which he transmitted to posterity in his work. Papias was, probably, a native of Hiera-polls, of which he afterwards became bishop. He was succeeded by Abercius, and Abercius by the great controversialist and apologist, Claudius Apollinaris, and presided at a council in this city at which Montanism was condemned. At a later ate the influence of both Hierapolis and Laodicea declined. They take no great art in the great controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries. Among their bishops there is not one who has left his mark on history. They take only a silent art in the great councils, and more than once wavered in their allegiance to the othodox faith. (Bishop Lightfoot.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 12. Epaphras, who is one of you] A native of some part of Phrygia, and probably of Colosse itself.
A servant of Christ] A minister of the Gospel.
Labouring fervently for you] . Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently.
That ye may stand perfect and complete] . That ye may stand firm, perfectly instructed, and fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught you as the revealed will of God: this I believe to be the meaning of the apostle.
Instead of , complete or filled up, almost all the MSS. of the Alexandrian rescension, which are considered the most authentic and correct, have , that ye may be fully persuaded. The word signifies such a complete persuasion of the certainty of a thing, as leaves the mind which has it neither room nor inclination to doubt; and , the verb, has the same meaning, viz., to be thus persuaded, or to persuade thus, by demonstrative argumentation and exhibition of unquestionable facts.
This is such a persuasion as the Spirit of God, by means of the Gospel, gives to every sincere and faithful man; and from which arises the solid happiness of the genuine Christian. They who argue against it, prove, at least, that they have not got it.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you: after he had given them the good wishes of some of the Jews, he doth here give the like from some of the Gentiles, beginning with Epaphras, whom he had before commended, Col 1:7,8, and doth here recommend him as born and bred amongst them, devoted to their service, in being the servant of Christ, as Paul, separated to the preaching of the gospel, Rom 1:1, yea, a fellow prisoner with the apostle upon that account, Phm 1:23.
Always labouring fervently for you in prayers; and, as it became such a one, faithful in his office, not diverted by distance of place or length of time, was night and day contending zealously with prayers to God for their spiritual, temporal, and eternal welfare, as Rom 15:30.
That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God; that they might attain a sufficient perfection in all that which God would have them reach to: See Poole on “Col 1:28,29“. See Poole on “Phi 3:15“. The distance between Colosse and Philippi, &c. render it improbable, whatever a learned man conceits, that Epaphras should be the same with Epaphroditus.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. ChristThe oldestmanuscripts add “Jesus.”
labouring ferventlyAsthe Greek, is the same, translate, “striving earnestly”(see on Col 1:29 and Col2:1), literally, “striving as in the agony of a contest.“
in prayersTranslate asGreek, “in his prayers.”
completeThe oldestmanuscripts read, “fully assured.” It is translated, “fullypersuaded,” Rom 4:21;Rom 14:5. In the expression”perfect,” he refers to what he has already said, Col 1:28;Col 2:2; Col 3:14.”Perfect” implies the attainment of the full maturityof a Christian. BENGELjoins “in all the will of God” with “stand.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you,…. A native of Colosse, and one of their faithful ministers; see Col 1:7.
A servant of Christ; not merely in the same sense as every believer is, but as he was a preacher of the Gospel, in which he faithfully served his Lord and master, Christ:
saluteth you; sends his Christian respects to you, for whom he bore a sincere love and hearty affection, as appears by what follows:
always labouring fervently for you in prayers; in all his prayers, which were many and frequent, he never forgot his dear flock at Colosse, of which he was pastor, but strove with God for them, even to an agony, as the word signifies; he wrestled with the Lord as Jacob did, nor, as he, would he let him go without a blessing for this church; he was incessant, importunate, and fervent in prayer for them: and what he prayed in particular for them was,
that ye may stand perfect; in Christ Jesus their head, and in his spotless righteousness; see Col 1:28 and continue believing in him, and looking to him for righteousness and strength, in whom all the fulness, the perfection of grace dwells; and where the saints only are, and can continue to be perfect:
and complete in all the will of God; or “be filled” in it, have a perfect knowledge of the revealed will of God, both as to doctrine and practice, and be enabled to act according to it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Epaphras who is one of you ( ). See 1:7 for previous mention of this brother who had brought Paul news from Colossae.
Always striving for you ( ). See 1:29 of Paul.
That ye may stand ( ). Final clause, first aorist passive subjunctive (according to Aleph B) rather than the usual second aorist active subjunctives () of (according to A C D).
Fully assured (). Perfect passive participle of , late compound, for which see Luke 1:1; Rom 14:5.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Laboring fervently [] . Rev., striving. See on ch. Col 1:29; Col 2:1. Compare Rom 14:30.
Perfect [] . See on 1Co 2:6, 7; ch. 1 28.
Complete [] . See on most surely believed, Luk 1:1; and compare full assurance, ch. 2 2. Rev., fully assured.
In all the will [ ] . Lit., in every will. Will means the thing willed, as Luk 12:47; Jas 5:3 0; 1Th 5:18. Hence used sometimes in the plural, as Act 13:22, shall do all my will [] , i e., perform all the things willed by me. Eph 2:3, desires, strictly willings. So here the sense is, everything willed by God. The connection is apparently with staqhte ye may stand. For a similar construction see Joh 8:44; Rom 5:2; 1Co 14:1; 1Co 16:13. As Meyer observes, this connection gives stand both a modal definition (perfect and fully assured) and a local definition (in all the will).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Epaphras, who is one of you” (Epaphras ho Eks humon) “Epaphras (being) one of you all,” a member of the Church and citizen of the city of Colosse, Col 1:7; Phm 1:23.
2) “A servant of Christ, saluteth you” (doulos Christou lesou aspazetai humas) “a servant of Christ Jesus greets you;” though a fellow-prisoner with Paul Epaphras was a servant of Christ, not merely under persecution but also while in prison. The Gospel is not bound. 2Ti 2:9; Act 16:31-34.
3) “Always laboring fervently for you in prayers (pantote agonizomenos huper humon en tais proseuchais) “(is) always struggling or agonizing on behalf of you in the prayers (he offers),” Joh 12:26; Jas 5:16.
4) “That ye may stand perfect” (hina stathete teleioi) “in order that you may all stand complete” upright, or like a soldier, a sentry, for Christ and the Church, Mat 5:48.
5) “And complete in all the will of God” (Kai peplerophoremenoi en panti thelemati tou theou) “and having been fully assured in all the will of God,” Eph 5:17; Rom 12:2; Col 1:9; 2Co 8:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
12 Always striving. Here we have an example of a good pastor, whom distance of place cannot induce to forget the Church, so as to prevent him from taking the care of it with him beyond the sea. We must notice, also, the strength of entreaty that is expressed in the word striving. For although the Apostle had it in view here to express intensity of affection, he at the same time admonishes the Colossians not to look upon the prayers of their pastor as useless, but, on the contrary, to reckon that they would afford them no small assistance. Lastly, let us infer from Paul’s words, that the perfection of Christians is, when they stand complete in the will of God, that they may not suspend their scheme of life upon anything else.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
Col. 4:12. Always labouring fervently for you.R.V. always striving. Lit. agonising. Like the mighty wrestler who held the Angel till daybreak, Epaphras intercedes for his Colossian brethren. Complete in all the will of God.R.V. fully assured. From the tenor of the letter it appears that the Colossians needed a deeper Christian insight and more intelligent and well-grounded convictions respecting the truth as in Jesus (Findlay).
Col. 4:13. Zeal for them that are in Laodicea.Here then is one who differs from the Laodicean spirit of St. Johns time.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Col. 4:12-13
The Model Pastor.
Nothing is known of Epaphras beyond the few but significant notices which connect him with Coloss, of which city he was a native. Acting under the direction of St. Paul, probably when the apostle was residing for three years at Ephesus, Epaphras was the honoured agent in introducing the gospel into Coloss and the neighbouring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis; and it is evident he regarded himself as responsible for the spiritual well-being of all these places. The dangerous condition of the Colossian and neighbouring Churches at this time filled the mind of Epaphras with a holy jealousy and alarm. A strange form of heresy had appeared among thema mixture of Jewish formalism with the speculations of an Oriental philosophyand was rapidly spreading. The distress of the faithful evangelist was extreme. He journeyed to Rome in order to lay this state of things before the apostle, and to seek his counsel and assistance. The apostle bears testimony to his profound anxiety for the spiritual condition of the newly founded Churches on the banks of the Lycus. He had much toil for them, and was ever fervently wrestling in prayer on their behalf, that they might stand fast and not lose the simplicity of their earlier faith, but might advance to a more perfect knowledge of the divine will. In the verses now under consideration we have Epaphras brought before us as the model pastor.
I. The model pastor is distinguished by a suggestive designation.A servant of Christ (Col. 4:12). This title, which the apostle uses several times for himself, is not elsewhere conferred on any other individual, except once on Timothy (Php. 1:1), and probably points to exceptional services in the cause of the gospel on the part of Epaphras (Lightfoot). A true pastor is not the servant of the Church to echo its decisions and do its bidding; but he is the servant for the Church to influence its deliberations and decisions, to mould its character and direct its enterprises. He is a servant of Christ, receiving his commission from Him, ever anxious to ascertain His will, and ready to carry out that will at whatever sacrifice. Such a service involves no loss of self-respect or manliness, no degradation, but is free, honourable, and rich in blessing.
II. The model pastor is incessant in zealous labour.For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea and them in Hierapolis (Col. 4:13). The zeal of Epaphras urged him to extend his Christian labours beyond the limits of Coloss: he visited the adjoining cities, which were much larger in population and wealthier in commerce. Laodicea, rising from obscurity, had become, two or three generations before the apostle wrote, a populous and thriving city, and was then the metropolis of the cities on the banks of the Lycus. Hierapolis was an important and growing city, and, in addition to its trade in dyed wools, had a reputation as a fashionable watering-place, where the seekers of pleasure and of health resorted to partake of its waters which possessed valuable medicinal qualities. The rare virtues of the city have been celebrated in song:
Hail, fairest soil in all broad Asias realm;
Hail, golden city, nymph divine, bedeckd
With flowing rills, thy jewels.
Into the midst of these populations the fervent Epaphras introduced the gospel, and spared no pains in his endeavour to establish and confirm the believers. It was on their behalf he undertook the journey to Rome to confer with St. Paul as to their state; and the apostle testifies to the unceasing exercise of his great and holy zeal for his distant but ever-remembered flock. When the heart is interested and moved, labour is a delight; and it is the way in which the heart is affected towards any work that gives to it significance and worth. Canon Liddon writes: Are we not very imperfectly alive to the moral meaning of work and the moral fruits of work as work? The true pastor, with a heart overflowing with zeal for the glory of God and the good of men, cheerfully undertakes labour from which the ordinary worker would timidly shrink.
III. The model pastor is intensely exercised in prayer for the people of God.Always labouring fervently [wrestling, agonising] for you in prayers (Col. 4:12). The faithful minister has not only to teach his flocka task which involves vigilant observation, extensive reading, and anxious studybut he has also to plead earnestly at the throne of grace on their behalf. In times of spiritual dearth, disappointment, embarrassment, and distress, prayer is the all-efficacious resource. There are circumstances in which the minister can do nothing but pray. Difficulties that defied all other means have vanished before the irresistible power of persistent and believing intercession. Prayer attains what the most conclusive reasoning, the most eloquent appeal, the most diligent personal attention, sometimes fail to accomplish. It sets in silent but stupendous operation the mightiest spiritual agencies of the universe. It opens the fountain of divine grace, and its streams flow in full-tide velocity through the hitherto arid wilderness of human hearts, and life, freshness, fertility, and beauty spring up in its reviving course. It is God only whoso help is omnipotent, and on this help faithful prayer lays hold and uses it in effecting its wondrous transformations.
IV. The model pastor is constantly solicitous that the people of God should be firmly established in the highest good.That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Col. 4:12)perfectly instructed and fully convinced in everything willed by God. The great aim of all ministerial anxiety is not only to instruct his people in the full and accurate knowledge of the divine will, but to produce such a persuasion of the supreme majesty and authority of that will as to induce steadfast continuance in practical obedience. The will of God and the highest good of man are always in harmony. Whatever threatens to disturb the stability of the believer, or to retard his development towards the highest moral excellence, whether it arises from his personal unwatchfulness and indifference or from the subtle attacks of error, is always a subject of keen solicitude to the faithful pastor. He knows that if his converts fall away they are lost and the truth itself is disgraced. To be established in an unswerving obedience it is necessary to be filled with the knowledge of Gods will. This blessedness is the grand scope and crowning glory of the Christian life.
Lessons.
1. The office of pastor is fraught with endless anxieties, great responsibilities, and rare opportunities.
2. The true pastor finds his purest inspirations, his most potent spiritual weapon, and his grandest successes in prayer.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant to 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. 13. For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
Translation and Paraphrase
12. Epaphras greets you, (he being one) from your number, (and) a slave of Christ Jesus, (and) always striving for you in (his) prayers, that you may stand (as) perfect (saints), and be fully assured in all the will of God (never doubting God for an instant),
13. (Dont think that Epaphras has forgotten you.) For I will vouch for him that he has intense longing for you, and for the (brethren) in Laodicea, and in Hierapolis.
Notes
1.
Col. 4:10-11 names three Jewish Christians who were companions with Paul. In Col. 4:12-14 Paul names three Gentile Christian companions: Epaphras, Luke and Demas.
2.
Col. 4:12-13 tells of Epaphras, the preacher for the Colossians. See notes on Col. 1:7 for additional information about Epaphras.
3.
Col. 4:12-13 tells us these facts about Epaphras:
(1) He was one of you, that is, one of the Colossians. He was evidently a Gentile.
(2) He prayed much. He was striving in prayer for the Colossians. Compare Col. 2:1.
(3) His concern extended to other nearby churches in the Lycus valley, to those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
(4) He was with Paul in Rome when Colossians was dispatched, and he sent greetings to his friends in Colossae. Phm. 1:23 refers to Epaphras as Pauls fellow-prisoner.
4.
Epaphras was concerned that the Colossians might stand perfect, that is, stand for Christ without wavering, and be perfect in life. Perfect (Gr. teleios) means complete, not lacking in any part.
Also he desired that they might be fully assured in all the will of God. The participle fully assured (KJV, complete; Gr. peplerophoremenoi) is a word related to the term full assurance in Col. 2:2. The verb means to make full; to make certain; convince; to fill with any though, conviction, or inclination.
We should also pray for our brethren, that they may stand perfect and fully assured. Entirely too many are imperfect and partially developed, and have many doubts instead of full assurance.
Study and Review
16.
Where was Epaphras from? (Col. 4:12)
17.
What does salute mean? (Col. 4:12)
18.
How is Epaphras prayer life described?
19.
For what two things did Epaphras pray?
20.
Who bore witness to Epaphras? (Col. 4:13)
21.
For what people did Epaphras have zeal (or labor)?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(12) Epaphras.See Note on Col. 1:7.
Servant of Christ.A title assumed by St. James and St. Judo, as well as by St. Paul himself, but given by him only to Timothy (Php. 1:1) and to Epaphras here. Of course, all Christians are servants of Christ. But the name, as applied here, is no doubt distinctive of some peculiar character of service.
Labouring fervently.Properly, wrestling in agony of prayer. (See Rom. 15:30.)
Perfect and complete.The word here found in the best MSS. for complete is used in Rom. 4:21; Rom. 14:5, for fully convinced or persuaded. This is probably, though not perhaps necessarily, its meaning here. In the two epithetsperfect and fully established in convictionwe may again trace, as before, reference to the pretensions of the Gnostic teachers to exclusive perfection in wisdom. St. Pauls true fellow-worker, like himself, prays that this perfection may belong to all, and that it may have its basis not is the secrets of heavenly knowledge, but in the revealed will of God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Epaphras See on Col 1:7. He bore them in his heart, not only at home, but in distant Rome, as is attested by his anxious prayers in their behalf. He agonized in prayer.
Stand They were in a warfare with the heathenism around them, and especially in danger from the errors which called out this epistle. While Paul argued, Epaphras prayed; the aim of both was that the Colossians might stand firm in the gospel which they had received, rejecting every admixture of error.
Perfect In knowledge of the truth.
Complete We ought unquestionably to read , fully assured.
‘Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has much labour for you, and for those in Laodicea , and for those in Hierapolis.’
See Col 1:7. Epaphras may well have founded the Colossian church, and here we learn of his continued concern for them and their fellow churches in the area. He strives (agonises) for them in his prayers, as Paul also does (Col 2:1).
‘That you may stand fast, perfect, and be assured (fully persuaded) in all the will of God.’ Paul points out that Epaphras is siding with him in his concern for their true understanding of the Gospel. He too is concerned that they should ‘stand fast’ against error as those who are matured Christians (perfect) and be fully persuaded in their own minds of the truth of Paul’s teaching which was revealing to them the true will of God. For that was what was really important. That they may know the will of God.
‘He has much labour for you.’ At this stage mainly in agonising prayer.
‘And for those in Laodicea and for those in Hierapolis.’ These three churches clearly have close association (with Colossae easily the smallest). It may be that Epaphras founded them all. Certainly he is equally concerned for them all.
Col 4:12 . ] See Col 1:7 and Introd.
It is to be observed that, according to Col 4:11 , Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (Col 4:14 ) were no Jewish- Christians, whereas Tiele in the Stud. u. Krit . 1858, p. 765, holding Luke to be by birth a Jew, has recourse to forced expedients, and wishes arbitrarily to read between the lines. Hofmann, refining groundlessly (see on Col 4:14 ), but with a view to favour his presupposition that all the N. T. writings were of Israelite origin, [175] thinks that our passage contributes nothing towards the solution of the question as to Lake’s descent; comp. on Luke, Introd. 1.
] as in Col 4:9 , exciting the affectionate special interest of the readers; afterwards thoughtfully corresponds.
. is to be taken together with ., but is not to be connected with (Hofmann); on the contrary, it is to be taken by itself as a special element of recommendation (as in Col 4:9 ): Epaphras, your own, a servant of Christ who is always striving, etc.
.] Comp. Rom 15:30 . The more fervent the prayer for any one is, the more is it a striving for him , namely, in opposition to the dangers which threaten him, and which are present to the vivid conception of him who wrestles in prayer. Comp. also Col 2:1 . The striving of Epaphras in prayer certainly had reference not merely to the heretical temptations to which the Colossians, of whose church he was a member, were exposed, but as is evident from . . . (purpose of the . . . .) to everything generally, which endangered the right Christian frame in them.
] designation of stedfast perseverance; in which there is neither wavering, nor falling, nor giving way. To this belongs . ., expressing wherein (comp. 1Pe 5:12 ) they are to maintain stedfastness; in every will of God , that is, in all that God wills . Comp. on in this sense, Joh 8:44 ; Rom 5:2 ; 1Co 15:1 ; 1Co 16:13 . This connection (comp. Bengel and Bleek) recommends itself on account of its frequent occurrence, and because it completes and rounds off the whole expression; for now has not merely a modal definition, . . ., but also a local definition, which admirably corresponds to the figurative conception of standing . This applies, at the same time, in opposition to the usual mode of construction with . . ., followed also by Hofmann, according to which . . . . would be the moral sphere, “ within which the perfection and firm conviction are to take place,” Huther. [176]
] perfect and with full conviction , (comp. Col 2:2 ; Rom 4:21 ; Rom 14:5 ; and see on Luk 1:1 ) obtain through the context ( . . . .) their more definite meaning; the former as moral perfection, such as the true Christian ought to have (Col 1:28 ); and the latter, as stedfastness of conscience , which excludes all scruples as to what God’s will requires, and is of decisive importance for the of the Christian life; comp. Rom 14:5 ; Rom 14:22 f.
[175] This postulate, wholly without proof, is also assumed by Grau, Entwickelungsgesch. d. neutest. Schriftth. I. p. 54.
[176] If we follow the Recepta (see the critical remarks), on the other hand, we must join, as is usually done, following Chrysostom and Luther, . . . to .: filled with every will of God, which, instead of being transformed into “voluntatis divinae verae et integrae cognitio” (Reiche, comp. Beza), is rather to be understood as denoting that the heart is to be full of all that God wills, and that in no matter, consequently, is any other will than the divine to role in the believer. Respecting , comp. on Eph 5:18 . Bhr incorrectly renders: “by virtue of the whole counsel of God,” which is not possible on account of the very absence of the article in the case of . Grotius, Heinrichs, Flatt, and others, erroneously hold that is equivalent to .
DISCOURSE: 2190 Col 4:12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
LOVE is the essence of the Christian religion. The heathens themselves noticed the fervour of the love which subsisted among the first Christians. Ministers in particular feel a distinguished regard for those to whom they have been signally useful [Note: 1Th 2:7-8.]. Epaphras is set forth as a most eminent pattern of affection and zeal.
I.
The office he sustained
Epaphras was perhaps the same with Epaphroditus. He was of Colosse, and perhaps the founder of the Church established there; he sustained the most honourable of all offices, being a servant of Christ. This office every Christian may be said to bear, but ministers bear it in a higher and more exalted sense: They are,
1.
His stewards
[A steward has the care and management of the family committed to him: so Christs ministers have the mysteries of the Gospel committed to them [Note: 2Co 4:7.]. They are to dispense these mysteries to men [Note: Luk 12:42.]: hence we are taught to consider them expressly in this view [Note: 1Co 4:1.].]
2.
His messengers
[They are ambassadors from the court of heaven [Note: 2Co 5:19-20.]: they deliver to men his messages of grace and mercy: they negociate, as it were, a peace between God and man.]
3.
His representatives
[They stand in his stead [Note: 2Co 5:20.]; the word they speak is not theirs, but his [Note: 1Th 2:13.]. The reception or rejection of them will be deemed a reception or rejection of Christ himself [Note: 1Th 4:8.].]
4.
His glory
[They are the instruments whereby he is known and glorified: hence they are expressly called the glory of Christ [Note: 2Co 8:23.].]
In this office he acted worthy of the trust reposed in him.
II.
The love he manifested
Love will invariably manifest itself in acts of kindness towards those who are the objects of it. A ministers love will shew itself most towards the souls of men; but none can do good to souls unless God himself vouchsafe his blessing [Note: 1Co 3:7.]: hence Epaphras made application to God in prayer.
He did this fervently He did it constantly Nor could he rest satisfied, while his people had a sin to be forgiven, or a want to be supplied.
III.
The end he aimed at
He desired that his Christian friends might be Israelites indeed; no doubt he had exerted himself much and often to make them so. He sought the same blessed end in all his prayers for them:
1.
That they might have no secret reserves in their obedience
[He well knew that one sin indulged would destroy the soul [Note: Jer 48:10.]: he was aware that nothing but the most unreserved dedication of ourselves to Gods service would be of any avail [Note: Psa 119:6.]: he therefore prayed that they might do all the will of God.]
2.
That they might attain the highest degrees of holiness
[There is no absolute perfection or completeness in the creature; but there are high degrees of holiness to which the upright may attain [Note: imply, that he wished them not to continue babes, but to arrive at a state of manhood; and not to be satisfied with a scanty measure of grace and knowledge, but to be filled with all the fulness of God.]. He longed that they might be as eminent as possible [Note: 1Th 5:23.].]
3.
That they might be steadfast to the end
[Many endure only for a season, and in a time of temptation fall away; but the apostatizing of persons who have been hopeful, is death, as it were, to a faithful minister of Christ [Note: 1Th 3:8.]. He knew that there were many seeking to turn them from the faith [Note: Col 2:8.]: he therefore sought to have them so established that they might stand.]
We may observe from hence, What should be the standard of a ministers preaching
[Faithful ministers are often thought too strict and severe; but if they should desire such perfection for their people, they should labour also to promote it by their preaching. If they should lower the standard of mens duty, they would betray and murder the souls committed to them. Let not any then condemn the strictness or severity of what they hear, unless it exceed the Scripture standard.]
2.
What should be the measure of the peoples practice
[There is no attainment with which we should be satisfied, while there remains any thing to be attained. What ministers should desire for us, we ought to desire and aim at for ourselves. Whatever then we may have attained, let us forget what is behind, and press forward toward that which is before.]
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Ver. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you ] See Col 1:7 . See Trapp on “ Col 1:7 “ This Epaphras is thought to be the same with Epaphroditus; as Sylvanus is called Silas, and Jehoshuah is called Joshua, by an abbreviature.
Always labouring fervently ] Constant and instant in prayer, according to thatCol 4:2Col 4:2 .
Complete in all the will of God ] Gr. , carried on end by it, with full career; as a ship is by a full gale.
That ye may stand perfect ] In his absence especially, for then the devil is most busy, as he was with the people when Moses was but a while in the mount, Exo 32:1-6 .
12 .] On Epaphras, see ch. Col 1:7 note. The sentence is better without a comma at , both as giving more spirit to the . ., and setting the . in antithesis to the below. On . besides reff., see Rom 15:30 . By mentioning Epaphras’s anxious prayers for them, he works further on their affections, giving them an additional motive for stedfastness, in that one of themselves was thus striving in prayer for them, here gives the direct aim of . See above on Col 4:3 that ye may stand, perfect and fully persuaded (see reff.), in (be firmly settled in, without danger of vacillating or falling) all the (lit. ‘in every:’ but we cannot thus express it in English) will of God . This connexion, of with , as Mey., seems better than, as ordinarily (so also De W. and Ellic.), to join with the participles. Eadie characterizes it as needless refinement in Mey. to assert that thus not only a modal-beftimmung but a local-beftimmung is attached to : but the use of in the reff. seems to justify it.
Col 4:12 . : see on Col 1:7 . He was either a native of Coloss or had settled there. . Paul uses this term often of himself, but of no one else except here and Phi 1:1 , where he calls himself and Timothy . . Meyer and Alford connect with ., but it is better to place a comma after . : see on Col 2:2 . Usually it is translated here “fully assured”. Haupt thinks that after this is unsuitable. But if we translate “complete” or “filled,” this is tautological, and it is not clear that . covers full assurance. : “in everything that God wills”. Meyer and Alford connect with (or as they read ), but it is better to connect with the two participles.
Epaphras. See Col 1:7.
servant. Greek doulos. App-190.
Christ. The texts add “Jesus”
labouring fervently = striving, Col 1:29.
for. Greek huper. App-104.
prayers. Greek proseuche. App-134.
perfect. Greek. teleios, App-125.
complete. Greek. pteroo. App-126. The texts read “plerophoreo”, as in Rom 4:21.
will. Greek. thelena. App-102.:1
12.] On Epaphras, see ch. Col 1:7 note. The sentence is better without a comma at , both as giving more spirit to the . ., and setting the . in antithesis to the below. On . besides reff., see Rom 15:30. By mentioning Epaphrass anxious prayers for them, he works further on their affections, giving them an additional motive for stedfastness, in that one of themselves was thus striving in prayer for them, here gives the direct aim of . See above on Col 4:3-that ye may stand,-perfect and fully persuaded (see reff.),-in (be firmly settled in, without danger of vacillating or falling) all the (lit. in every: but we cannot thus express it in English) will of God. This connexion, of with , as Mey., seems better than, as ordinarily (so also De W. and Ellic.), to join with the participles. Eadie characterizes it as needless refinement in Mey. to assert that thus not only a modal-beftimmung but a local-beftimmung is attached to : but the use of in the reff. seems to justify it.
Col 4:12. , perfect and complete) This is introduced from the former discussion.[33]- , in all) Construe with, ye may stand.
[33] Ch. Col 1:28, Col 2:2, Col 3:14.-ED.
Col 4:12
Col 4:12
Epaphras,-All we know of Epaphras, we learn from the brief notices in this epistle. He had first preached the gospel to the Colossians, and perhaps to Laodicea and Hierapolis. He had come to Paul, apparently, to consult with him about the false teaching which threatened the peace of the church. He had informed him, too, of their love. It was his report which led to the writing of the epistle.
who is one of you,-He was a native of Colossae. a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you,-[This title, which Paul uses several times of himself, is not elsewhere conferred on any other individual, except once on Timothy (Col 1:1), and probably points to exceptional service in the cause of Christ on the part of Epaphras.]
always striving for you in his prayers,-[The striving in prayer was due to the zeal of Epaphras and the danger of the Colossians. The appropriateness of this phrase is felt by all to whom prayer is a reality, and to Epaphras this intense effort was ceaseless.]
that ye may stand-This was the purpose and purport of the prayers. Stand points to maturity fully assured. It appears that they needed a deeper spiritual insight and well-grounded conviction respecting the truth “as in Jesus.
perfect and fully assured-Perfect points to maturity; fully assured to permanent state of confident persuasion.
in all the will of God.-[In everything that is the will of God, and indicates the sphere of completeness and confidence. The tone of Epaphras prayer takes the tone from the errors which endangered the church he had founded.]
Epaphras
A touching illustration of priestly service, (See Scofield “1Pe 2:9”) as distinguished from ministry of gift. Shut up in prison, no longer able to preach, Epaphras was still, equally with all believers, a priest. No prison could keep him from the throne of grace, so he gave himself wholly to the priestly work of intercession.
perfect (See Scofield “Mat 5:48”) .
Epaphras: Col 1:7, Phm 1:23
a servant: Joh 12:26, Gal 1:10, Jam 1:1, 2Pe 1:1
always: Col 4:2, Luk 22:44, Gal 4:19, Heb 5:7, Jam 5:16
labouring: or, striving, Col 2:1-23
that: Col 4:1, Rom 15:30, see note on Col 1:9, Col 1:22, Col 1:28, Mat 5:48, 1Co 2:6, 1Co 14:20,*Gr: 2Co 13:11, Phi 3:12-15, 1Th 5:23, Heb 5:14,*Gr: Heb 6:1, Jud 1:24
complete: or, filled, Rom 15:14
Reciprocal: Gen 32:24 – wrestled Job 36:4 – perfect Mat 7:21 – that Luk 10:2 – the labourers Luk 11:8 – because of Luk 18:1 – that Act 6:4 – prayer Rom 6:22 – become Rom 12:2 – good Rom 12:11 – fervent Rom 12:12 – continuing Rom 16:12 – labour 1Co 7:22 – is Christ’s 1Co 16:13 – stand 2Co 13:9 – even Eph 4:1 – walk Eph 6:6 – doing Eph 6:13 – to stand Phi 3:15 – as Phi 4:1 – so Col 1:29 – labour Col 4:7 – a beloved 1Th 2:8 – affectionately 1Th 3:2 – our brother 1Th 3:10 – might perfect 1Th 4:3 – this Heb 10:36 – after Heb 13:21 – Make Jam 1:4 – perfect and Jam 3:2 – a perfect 1Pe 4:2 – the will 1Jo 2:17 – but
(Col 4:12.) -There salutes you Epaphras, one of you. Col 1:7. As a Colossian himself, Epaphras had a deep interest in them, and sends them his affectionate greeting. The apostle further characterizes Epaphras as a servant of Christ- . Some insist on putting no comma between and . The reading of highest authority seems to be -a servant of Christ Jesus. This good man, probably the founder of the Colossian church, could not forget them-for he was one of them by birth; and, as a servant of Christ Jesus, and one of their pastors, he had also a deep spiritual affinity with them. And not only so, but the apostle describes him further-as
-Always striving for you in his prayers. Though he was absent, he did not forget them. The best scene of memory is at the throne of grace. In proportion to the fervour of one’s affection will be the importunity of his petition. Love so pure and spiritual as that of Epaphras will produce an agony of earnestness. There will be no listless or fitful asking-but a mighty and continual wrestling of heart. And the apostle witnesses that for this end Epaphras supplicated-
-That ye may stand perfect and full-assured in all the will of God. The Stephanic reading is not based on sufficient authority. The language of the clause is very expressive. Epaphras prayed that they might stand, and neither wander nor fall-stand perfect and full assured-every grace of the Spirit within them, and their minds possessing an undoubting and imperturbable persuasion on every point of Divine instruction, or of the whole will of God. It is a needless refinement on the part of Meyer to connect so closely with , as the Local-bestimmung; and to take . . as the Modal-bestimmung. For the words are, in our view, closely allied to .-that they might be perfect and fully assured in the whole will of God. And we are the more confirmed in our view when we turn to Col 2:2, where the noun occurs in the phrase-full assurance of understanding. And the allusion is plainly to the dangers which beset the Colossian church, and against which they are warned in the second chapter,-dangers in the form of seductive spiritualism and false philosophy, and against which the grand preservative was a perfect and full assured knowledge of the whole will of God. An imperfect or dubious acquaintanceship with that will would at once lay them open to the stratagems of the false teachers, who headed their errors with the title and varnished them with the semblance, of the Divine will, and claimed for their theosophic dreams and ascetic statutes Divine authority. See under Col 2:2. The preposition is not to be taken as , with Grotius; nor secundum, with Storr; nor yet durch-through, with Bhr. The apostle subjoins a further testimony to Epaphras in the following verse. But there is no little variety of reading as to the quality or virtue ascribed to him. The Received Text reads-
Col 4:12. Epaphras had been associated with the church at Colosse, but when this epistle was written, he was in Rome and a prisoner on behalf of the Gospel. This is indicated in Phm 1:23, where Paul calls him his “fellow-prisoner.” He joined in sending salutations to the Colossian brethren. Laboring . . . . in prayers for the “home congregation” was a natural thing because of his personal interest in those brethren. Perfect and complete mean about the same if used separately in various places. In the present use of the words, the former means to be fully developed, and the latter shows why; that it is because they would be fully supplied with necessary spiritual principles.
Col 4:12. Epaphras (see chap. Col 1:7), who is one of you (see Col 4:9), etc. His salutations could not be omitted. Evidently he was a Gentile by birth.
A servant of Christ Jesus. This title, which the Apostle uses several times of himself, is not elsewhere conferred on any other individual, except once on Timothy (Php 1:1), and probably points to exceptional services in the cause of the gospel on the part of Epaphras (Lightfoot).
Always striving, etc. See chaps. Col 1:29; Col 2:1. The wrestling prayer was due to the zeal of Epaphras and to the danger of the Colossian Church.
That ye may stand, etc. The purpose and purport of the prayers. Stand points to firmness and constancy, and is further explained by the phrase: perfect and folly assured in all the will of God. (The rendering, fully assured, is sustained by decisive external evidence.) Perfect points to maturity, fully assured, to a permanent state (Greek, perfect participle) of confident persuasion; in all the will of God may be more exactly explained: in every thing that is the will of God, and indicates the sphere of their completeness and confidence. (Others with less propriety join this phrase with the verb.) The petition of Epaphras takes its tone from the errors which endangered the Church he had founded.
Our apostle next mentions the particular salutation sent from Rome to the church at Colosse by Epaphras, who is described from his country; he is one of you, that is, a citizen of Colosse; by his office, a servant of Christ, that is, a minister of the gospel; by his fervour of affection towards these Colossians, evidenced by his prayers for them, he labours fervently for you in his prayers.
The word signifies to strive as in an agony, pointing out our ministerial duty to us, not only to preach unto, and to pray with, but fervently to pray for our people. God forgave our forgetfulness of, our backwardness to, our remissness in, this part of our duty. Too seldom do we bear our people upon our hearts, when we go in and out before the Lord: Oh! how far are we from praying ourselves into an agony for them, when our petitions freeze within our lips, which we put up for our own souls!
One thing might here be noted further concerning Epaphras, he was minister of (some think bishop of) Colosse; yet was he born there, he is one of you, that is, of your city. Now, Christ tells us, a minister is in hazard to meet with disrespect in his own country, he is usually of no honour there: However, Epaphras being called to the work of God in the place where he was born embraces it, and God give him reputation with the people for his faithfulness in his place.
Observe, lastly, What was the subject matter of Epaphras’s prayer for his people at Colosse, namely, That they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God: it is the desire and prayer, the care and endeavour of every faithful minister of Christ, that his people may stand fast in their obedience, in universal obedience, in perfect and complete obedience to the will, the whole will of God, in all things; yet one thing more is observable in Epaphras, he had not only a great zeal for his own people at Colosse, but for them at Laodicea and Hierapolis, which were neighbouring churches.
Learn thence, That the ministers of Christ are to look upon themsleves, as ministers of the whole church; and although they take care of a particular congregation, yet is it their duty to desire and endeavour, that all Christians within the reach of their ministerial labours, may find some special benefit and advantage by them. Epaphras had a fervent zeal for the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis, as well as at Colosse, and it was his commendation that he had so.
It should be remembered that Epaphras was likely the one who converted many of these brethren (1:6-8). He was from that area and was a slave of the Lord. He sent greetings to them and agonized regularly in prayers in their behalf. He wanted them to grow up in Christ and be complete in their understanding of and practicing God’s truth. He had worked hard (R. S. V) for all the brethren in the Lycus valley. That labor had continued, despite his absence, in the form of his prayer life ( Col 4:12-13 ).
Col 4:12-15. Epaphras, always labouring , striving, or agonizing; for you in prayers The word properly denotes contending, or combating in the games; here it signifies the greatest fervency of desire and affection in prayer: that ye may stand perfect Perfectly instructed in all Christian graces, and performing all Christian duties. See 1Jn 4:17; Heb 13:21. And complete , filled with; all the will of God As being no longer babes, but grown up to the measure of the stature of Christ, being filled with light and wisdom, grace and holiness. See on Col 2:10. He hath great zeal for you A great concern for your growth in grace and holiness, and your eternal salvation. And them that are in Laodicea and Hierapolis Neighbouring cities in the Greater Phrygia, in which were Christian churches. The latter was named Hierapolis, that is, the holy city, from the multitude of its temples. But it is not known what particular deity was its tutelary god. Its coins bear the images of Apollo, of the Ephesian Diana, of Esculapius, and of Hygeia. The two last-mentioned idols were worshipped in Hierapolis, on account of the medicinal springs with which it abounded. There was likewise a Mephitis, or opening in the earth, here, from which a pestilential vapour issued, which killed any animals which happened to breathe in it. Macknight. Luke, the beloved physician Luke was deservedly beloved by St. Paul. He was not only an intelligent and sincere disciple of Christ, but the apostles affectionate and faithful friend, as appears from his attending him in several of his journeys through the Lesser Asia and Greece. (See the preface to St. Lukes gospel, and the note on Act 27:1.) And when the apostle was sent a prisoner to Italy, Luke accompanied him in the voyage, and remained with him till he was released. He was also with the apostle during his second imprisonment in the same city; on which occasion, when his other assistants deserted him, through fear, Luke abode with him, and ministered to him, 2Ti 4:11. Salute the brethren in Laodicea and Nymphas It seems Nymphas was an eminent Christian at Laodicea; and the church which is in his house The society or congregation which assembled there for social or public worship.
ARGUMENT 18
EPAPHRAS DEFINES PERFECTION
12. Epaphras, who is from you, salutes you. Epaphras was one of Pauls juvenile evangelists, who had in his peregrination visited the Colossian saints, and preached for them. He avails himself of this opportunity to salute them through the pen of Pauls amanuensis. Slave of Jesus Christ. Doulos means slave, and oiketes, hired servant. They are both translated servant in E. V., Doulos, slave, being invariably used for the apostles and saints, who thus constantly subscribe themselves the slaves of God; tacitly referring to the Old Testament institution, in which all went free at jubilee, except those who preferred to abide as love slaves forever, who must have their ears bored and be nailed to the doorpost. All sinners are Satans slaves. All sanctified people are Gods love slaves, delighted in perfect submission and joyful obedience for pure love alone; while the unsanctified Christians are hired servants in the kingdom of God; e.g., preachers and others working for salary. The holiness evangelist blows the jubilee trumpet, proclaiming a new departure. The slaves must either go free; i.e., go back to the devil, who will allow them the full freedom of a sinful life i.e., they backslide under the preaching of entire sanctification, because they reject the call of the Holy Ghost, their sanctifieror they must come up to the doorpost, have their ears bored, and abide with their Master forever; i.e., old Adam must be nailed to the cross, bleed and die, thus consummating the experience of entire sanctification, which makes you Gods love slave for time and eternity; perfectly free from every care, as the slave has not the slightest concern as to food, clothing, lodging, medical attention when sick, nor anything else. All this and a thousand more interests, of which he has never dreamed, devolve on his master. Hence, if the master is sufficiently able and appreciative, the slave is the happiest being in the world. Glory to God! My Master owns the universe, and loves me enough to die for me. Hence, I would rather be his slave than the incumbent of Alexanders throne.
Always agonizing for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect, truly having been fully carried away in all the will of God, and more so now than ever. It is a signal blessing to have a clear lexical definition given to the great, salient words of Gods revealed will. Here it is our privilege, in the ministry of Pauls boy preacher, Epaphras, to have a straight, clear, and infallible definition of that wonderful word, perfection, so climacteric in the Scriptures, and utterly invisible in the plan of salvation. Now, what is that definition, as the E.V. is deficient in this passage? Truly having been fully carried away in the whole will of God, and more so now than ever. What a wonderful, copious, glorious, beautiful, sublime, and charming definition of Christian perfection! Be sure you verify it. The last clause of this definition, more so now than ever, is a circumlocution to bring the full meaning of the Greek idiom, expository of the perfect tense. This tense is defined in your grammars as revealing an action complete in past time, developing a state which continues down to the present. While this definition appertains both to the Greek and English, in the latter the emphasis is laid on the past, whereas in the former it is on the present. This idiomatic truth peculiar to the Greek grammar, justifies and authenticates the subjoined circumlocution, Better now than ever. Now, I hope you will commit to memory, and never forget this inspired definition of Christian perfection, Truly having been fully carried away in all the will of God, and more so now than ever. This love-inspired definition will personally fortify you against wreckage, simultaneously making you a tower of strength in the leadership and establishment of others. God help you to utilize this fortunate definition!
13,14. Luke, the amanuensis, along with Epaphras and others, sends fraternal greetings. Demas is here catalogued with the prominent salutatory saints; though sad to say he afterward backslid, and goes out under a cloud.
“Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
A study of Epaphrus:
Col 1:3-8; Col 4:12-13; Phm 1:23; Act 20:28.
TITLE: Qualification may not mean quality – or – A lamb in lambs clothing is a lamb. A wolf in lambs clothing is a wolf. A shepherd in shepherds clothing is a shepherd, unless he’s a fink.
Let’s consider church leadership for a moment or two. This applies well to church leaders – pastors or missionaries that you are considering.
Please take a moment and read: 1Pe 5:1-5; Act 20:28
Lets say that you want to buy a car. Lets say that you have enough money to buy any car that you want. Lets say that you are setting out to buy that car of your dreams. Lets say you are standing before the car salesman and you are about to tell him just what you want him to order. Lets do that for a moment and let ourselves be worldly for a moment.
Yes, I’m telling you to be worldly for a moment. ONLY A MOMENT!!!!
What kind of car is it? What color is it? The salesman has a list of all the possible options — what are you going have him put on the car? What radio will you have? On one of the news magazines they showed cars with stereos in them that cost more than the car. What engine will you get? What color will you order?
Now that the dreaming is over let’s think for a moment. If you had the money. If you had the desire. If you were committed to having this car would you accept delivery of a Maroon Chevette? NO! NO! NO!
If you were to set down a list of qualifications and desires for your church leadership would you settle for something less than you ordered?
You say no, but I believe that many churches today are accepting a standard that is much lower than they desire!! Or else their desires are far from Biblical.
The Word gives a great number of QUALIFICATIONS for church leadership and we all hear of these from time to time taught from Timothy and Titus, however the word also sets forth some Godly men as examples of some of the QUALITIES that these men should have.
I would like to explore some of these QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP with you. I’d like to look for a few moments at EPAPHRUS. NO IT ISN’T A SKIN RASH!!!
Epaphrus was a man of God that the Holy Spirit moved Paul to include in the Biblical record only so very briefly. He is mentioned only three times – only five verses deal with Epaphrus yet we are able to see within these few verses a real man of God.
INDEED, WE WILL SEE A NUMBER OF LEADERSHIP QUALITIES
Please turn to the book of Colossians.
This book was written by Paul during a stay in Rome under Roman guard.
It was written about the same time as Philemon, Eph., and Philippians.
Read Col 1:1-8.
QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP
1. Soul winner: (vs. 5)
The indications are that he had given these people the Gospel. He may have started the Church. Some think that he may have heard Paul when Paul was at Ephesus in Act 19:10.
This does not mean that he MUST be at every visitation get together, it does not mean that he is the sole soul winner in the church, it does not mean that he is to win souls from the pulpit. All of these are good things in and of themselves, but are not required.
I have known men that were excellent pastors and won souls only now and then, and I have known men that were excellent soul winners that would not have made good pastors. God fits the man for the job to which He calls him.
2. Teacher or discipler: (vs. 7)
Discipler: (vs. 5-7) (They knew Gospel, love, hope of heaven.)
We see here a pair of qualities which need to be used as a path to maturity for new believers.
Many of the evangelistic organizations today suffer in this area. They lead the person to Christ but never bother to teach them anything of the Christian life nor do they bother to lead or direct them to a sound church.
Recently a large campaign was held in Ireland. Instead of setting up a New Testament Church they turned the converts back to their Catholic or liberal denominational churches.
Indeed, in our churches today there is a real need in this area as well. I must wonder how differently my life might have been had I been discipled in any manner. The man that led me to the Lord gave me absolutely no information for my new life in Christ. He did not prepare me for anything. I went into the Navy for four years of typical sailor living, because I had no idea what the Christians life was to be like. I felt I should read the Bible, but started in the genealogies and that did not last long.
3. Faithful Minister: (vs. 7)
One who placed the body of believers as important – always there to help – to minister to needs – not far off or unapproachable. Servant: (Vs. 7)
4. Servant: (vs. 7) This man was a servant of Christ.
(From Exposition of Colossians and Philemon commentary by William Hendriksen; Grand Rapids; Baker Book House; 1964; p 191) “A servant of Jesus Christ is one who has been bought with a price and is therefore owned by his Master, on whom he is completely dependent, to whom he owes undivided allegiance and to whom he ministers with gladness of heart, in newness of spirit, and in the enjoyment of perfect freedom, receiving from him a glorious reward.”
This man was a servant of Christ “ON OUR BEHALF”
Some translations read “your” but the concept is the same. He served Christ to THEIR benefit. He wasn’t in it for what he could get or be.
We met a man in Oregon that was planting a church. He was making his living pumping gas. He worked at the gas station and worked with the church for eight years. The church was his life and all that he did was to further the church. He was in it so that he could benefit those he ministered to. In this case Epaphrus was ministering to Paul in prison so he was benefitting Paul.
We have four qualities so far.
You might ask, “what is the difference between qualifications and qualities?”
Qualifications = “The act of qualifying, or the state of being qualified.” (Funk and Wagnells)
Quality = “that which makes something such as it is: a distinguishing element or characteristic.” (Funk and Wagnells)
We had a maroon Chevette. It had the qualifications to be a car but its quality was questionable. It had four wheels, a motor, a body, seats etc. but the dealer had it more in the first 90 days than we did. There is, you see a difference.
Let me illustrate the distinction that I am making, in another way. While in the service I was the only experienced tech on the ship. Indeed the only tech. We received one day fourteen men just out of electronics school. Our ship was only allowed five or six men so I decided that I would have it made with this many men under me. Not so!! These men were qualified as techs — they had passed all the tests at school indeed some of them were very high in their classes. However, the quality of workmanship was very poor — in fact within a month the ship was a total mess electronically. We went into the yards for a few weeks and it took me every spare moment to get all of the problems cleared up. One fellow had spliced cables together for me but the unit did not work so I looked at it and found that he hadn’t soldered the wires together.
QUALIFIED? YES – QUALITY? NO, NOT FOR MANY MONTHS!!!
5. Boastful of his church: (vs. 8 “also declared unto us your love in the Spirit”)
He had been speaking to Paul of his church and its GOOD POINTS!
We were in a small church in Bend, OR a few years ago that we have spoken of to many of our friends. It was a church that had an over abundance of talented, excited, dedicated people. I could mention the fact that they met in an upstairs, that it was too small, or the fact that they didn’t have a piano but I didn’t. The positive was what was on Epaphrus mind. Indeed if you read the rest of the book you will find that the church had problems which Paul addressed. He was excited about his church. He was telling others of his church.
Our church people today need to get hold of that one!! Dwell on the positive. Do you tell others of your church? Are you making declarations about the great people here? Or do you dwell on the problems?
Let’s turn now for a moment to Col 4:12-13 – Read it.
6. Local boy: (“one of your number”) Why haven’t we taken this idea to heart in our churches today? When we need someone to work with the youth we so often look outside our own assembly. Our church in Lexington, Nebraska took one of their own on as their youth man. Why not? They are used to the pastor, they fit right into the fellowship, and the kids know them already. They are already accepted in the community. You know their life. Their doctrine – their faults!
The New Testament church operated for the most part on people from their own group. All church leaders came from within not from without.
Not only for youth workers but why not for pastors or elders as your church government dictates? Train the men of your church so that when the pastor moves on you have a homegrown replacement on line. Send him to college if you need to. (Some might argue that he might leave – so what, you’ve trained a man to serve God. Train another!)
You don’t need to totally finance him but help as you can.
One church in Oregon that we’ve been to has laymen that are so trained by their pastor that they can, and do go out to fill the pulpit of churches without pastors. Their pastor is committed to training his people to do the work of the Lord as Eph 4:1-32 tells us to do!
7. Committed to Christ: (Bondslave – “servant of Christ” King James) He had placed himself at his Lords disposal for his Lords use.
Stephen in Acts 6:24 was a deacon. He soon was preaching and died at the hands of the Jews in chapter seven. He was sold out to serve Christ.
Paul seems quite impressed with this man.
Philemon 23 “Epaphrus my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus”
Col 1:7 “minister of Christ”
“dear fellow servant”
Col 4:12 “Servant of Christ”
I fear that commitment is a passing thing in our society and in our churches.
I have in recent months heard of several men turning down churches because of financial deficiencies. Finances should be involved in deciding if God is calling you to a church but it should not be the deciding factor.
Someone in chapel where I taught mentioned a man that was leaving his church because he wasn’t making enough. His salary was $48, 000 a year.
8. Thoughtful: He knew that Paul was writing to them so he ask him to greet them for him. This shows a certain amount of feeling toward the people. Epaphrus must have liked the people and felt that he wanted to greet them. God is interested in men that are interested in their people – TRULY INTERESTED!!
9. Prayerful: Paul didn’t need to mention this in his letter but he was impressed enough with Epaphrus prayers to encourage the people on with the fact that someone was praying for them. One of the encouragements we’ve had over the years is knowing that so many are praying for us!
We used to send out over 200 letters to enlist the prayers of the saints when we were missionaries – we needed it!
Paul, to the best of my knowledge mentions no one else as a prayer. He was impressed! By the way can you imagine going to prayer in a prayer meeting with this man and Paul present?
His prayer:
CONSISTENT: “always” – specific choice to do it on a regular basis. Luk 18:1 “Men ought always to pray and not to faint”!!
SPECIFIC: “for you” (from Bib Sac; p60; Jan-Mar 1979) I ran across something in a Theological Journal awhile back. “A story is told about an old pastor who every Saturday afternoon could be seen leaving his study and entering the church building by the back door, and about sundown he would be seen going home. Someone’s curiosity was aroused enough to follow one day and watch through a window. It was in the days when the family pew was an institution of the church. The old pastor was seen to kneel at each pew and pray for every member of the family that was to occupy it on the Lord’s day. WHAT A PRAYER LIST! He called each member by name as he poured out his heart to God for his flock. His was a ministry of power and his people reflected the grace of God on them. Blessed is that church which has such a praying Shepherd.”
We need people committed to pray for the people that they minister to!
I ran across a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon that relates well at this point. “The minister who does not earnestly pray over his work must surely be a vain and conceited man. he acts as if he thought himself sufficient of himself and therefore need not appeal to God. Yet what a baseless pride to conceive that our preaching can ever be in itself so powerful that it can turn men from their sins and bring them to God without the working of the Holy Ghost.”
I was at a church near Portland, OR years ago where the pastor was preaching on commitment and in his invitation he mentioned that he had prayed for each one in his congregation before the service. That is the type of men we need in our pulpits today!!
I had spoken in a small town church in Colorado and the pastor insisted on filling my gas tank. He filled the tank and we talked for awhile at the station. We said goodbye and he started walking toward his house. I told him I’d take him home. He said, “No, I’d rather walk.” I insisted – he said, “No I’d rather walk – I know the people along the way home and I like to pray for them as I walk by their house. Some of them are lost and I want to pray for them.”
SINCERE: “striving” This word comes from the athletic arena – used of the athletes intense effort in reaching for the prize. Verbal form of “agony” used of Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane (Luk 22:44) just before his arrest.
I watched the iron man triathlon a few years ago and the showed a woman that was near the finish line. She couldn’t control her legs and couldn’t walk so she got down on her hands and knees and crawled across the finish line – that is agony!
Dan 9:1-27 probably is a prayer which involved striving – read it some time.
This term strive is the term we gain our English word “agonize” from. It was more than just a five minute quite time. He was agonizing over these people!
PURPOSEFUL: “that ye may stand” He was asking for Gods help in this for them.
It has been said, that if the church is ever going to be victorious it will have to learn to advance on it’s knees. REPEAT PRAYER IS NEEDED TODAY TO SAY THE LEAST!
10. Concern: Note should be taken of Epaphrus great concern for his people. He was very concerned with their need of maturing.
11. Sincere: Paul knew that this man was on the level — he wasn’t just putting on a front to impress the folks.
Some Christians I meet today – church leaders – are so caught up in their airs that they don’t listen to the answers you give them to their questions. This is quite evident when you answer the same questions twice in your first conversation.
I recently overheard a conversation between a leader and a not so regular attender. The leader would ask a question and in the middle of the answer the leader would be interrupted and then when he returned to listening to the man he would ask another question. The man had not finished his first answer. This went on for about four cycles and finally the man walked away. The leader was not at all interested in the man – only in pretending to be interested.
We had a missionary over for dinner. He would ask a question and as you paused between sentences of your answer he would ask another question on another topic. A couple of times I went back and finished an answer then answered the next question in the hope of his picking up on what he was doing. He didn’t.
Some today feel a lull in the conversation is a mortal sin. Personally quiet is not all that bad at times indeed sometimes it is appropriate.
I recently heard of “Leather Man” in the eastern part of our country (Pennsylvania.) in the past. He was a man that never talked to anyone. He wore a heavy leather outfit and would not take help from anyone. He would eat from time to time when people offered. He had no known past and lived in caves in the wilderness. He never was known to speak yet people both children and adults would walk out to his camp and just sit with him by the hour. SILENCE IS GOLDEN AT TIMES!
In Alaska the one of the Indian tribes enjoys just sitting around in a circle in silence. They enjoy one another without talking.
12. I sense also that there is one more quality in this man. He was missions minded. He was on the forefront of missions. He was working with Paul and seemingly involved in church planting.
I fear many today fail to see past the ends of their own lives when they look at the harvest fields.
Few today are directing and leading their churches toward missions. Many are stunting their churchs growth and prosperity by stunting missions.
Missions is to be a vital part of all our lives. If you aren’t praying for and supporting missions then you aren’t in the mainstream of God’s program – you are on the outskirts and many churches there are on the outskirts!
Epaphrus was a man of many qualities!
The book of Philemon (vs. 23) tells us that he was a prisoner with Paul in Rome so we can see that he was committed to his Lord all the way.
As I review his qualities the two that stand out most are the qualities of prayer and concern for his people.
He was concerned about the people in his church as well as the people in nearby churches. The other churches mentioned are Laodicia and Hieropolis. These two cities and Colosse formed a triangle. They were only a few miles apart. (about 12) He had probably met these people – maybe had taught them indeed man have started the churches.
In Col 1:7 the term for deacon (minister) is use of Epaphrus. He evidently was a deacon at his church. History and tradition indicates that he went on to become an elder there at Colosse and later was martyred there.
I’m told that his name means “lovely” (from the Open Bible) A shortened form of Epaphroditus meaning “handsome or charming.” A fitting name for such a man of God.
SOUNDS LIKE THE KIND OF GUY THAT YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE AROUND YOUR CHURCH! RIGHT?
So many church leaders today are qualified yet I wonder how many of them are of this quality. This was a layman and he had these qualities!!
One of the first elder qualifications is “if a man desire the office.” Many church leaders are not there because they DESIRE the office.
We do not have prayer warriors in many of our pulpits today.
We do not have concerned men in many of our pastorates today.
When I told my father that I was going to become a minister he said, “Well I guess there’s good money in that.” At the time I thought yes, in the liberal denominations but not in the fundamental circles.
Today I feel that it is coming into fundamental circles.
I fear that the ministry is becoming an occupation to many young men. Not a bondslaves life of service for his Lord with his Lord’s people but a job and career.
Peter gives a proper picture of an elder in 1Pe 5:1-4. Read it sometime.
Epaphrus had many qualities. Indeed these qualities should be aspired to by all believers, but they ought to be resident in all of our church leadership!
In the years to come I trust that you will look for
men of prayer
men of concern
men of service
men of Christ
men that are desirous of being a shepherd.
Recently I saw an interview of a shepherd here in the western U.S. They ask him of his life and he described the small wagon that he lived in month after month and the danger that he faced to protect the sheep. He spoke of the long months of crying over the loneliness before he finally got used to it. They ask him why he was a shepherd. His reply was this, “The sheep needed to be cared for and I chose to be a shepherd.”
We need men in our pulpits and our board rooms that have chosen to be shepherds — men that desire to care for the sheep.
May your future shepherds be so dedicated. May your future shepherds be so concerned.
Christ is pictured as a shepherd in the New Testament. May our shepherds be like our heavenly shepherd!
We must take our application one step further before we close.
If you were to compare YOUR life to that of Epaphras how would YOU compare?
Paul chose the term “SERVANT” for Epaphras:
(From Bib Sac; Jan-Mar 1979; p. 57) “The term proclaims the servant’s unconditional surrender of himself to do his Lord’s bidding. Such a one has learned to say,
“Oh, teach my will, my selfish will, To be completely thine.
“Oh, may I yield my all to thee; It is no longer mine.
“Oh, may my will, my stubborn will, Submissive be to Thine;
“The inward man obey with joy The law of love divine.
“No one who has not yet come to the place of full yieldedness of himself to his Lord will ever know the joy of fruitful service and effective intercession such as Epaphras knew. The yielded will lies at the basis of the God-used life.”
If Paul were writing about you today could he use the term “servant” of you?
Can you in your own mind say, “My life is a God-used life.”? If you can’t say “Yes” then you need to spend time getting to know your Master and seeing what He wants you to do.
Some brief notes on Col 1:4.
The term translated faith is the normal term for faith used in the New Testament. Thayer mentions of faith, “conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the New Testament of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it” (Thayer)
1:6 fruit is “karpophoreo” meaning bear or bring forth fruit. This is not soul winning, though soul winning is a part of it. Fruit in the New Testament would probably have the thought of anything that a believer does that is beneficial to his Lord and God, be it soul winning, be it teaching, be it pastoring, be it counseling, be it helping someone out, be it janitoring at the church, be it going to work every day with the thought of serving God in whatever manner possible.
1:7 minister is the term “diakonos” which relates to the church office of deacon. The Lord set up a system of church government via the New Testament which ought to be followed.
Church government is in place for a number of reasons:
(1) to oversee the church business
(2) to oversee the flock of God
(3) to assist in protection of the flock
(4) to assist in the discipline of the flock
(5) to see to it that God’s business is done in a Godly manner in His Church
4:12 servant is the term “doulos” which normally is translated servant. This is not “wife you serve me” servant hood, it is bought and sold servant hood. It is Christ bought, and your normal and reasonable service is to serve Him.
Laboring fervently is “agonizomai” which comes from the term we gain our term agonize from. Epaphras was not just working, he was agonizing for the people in prayer.
The following three fellow-workers had Gentile backgrounds. Epaphras had evidently been instrumental in the founding of the church at Colosse (Col 1:7). His concern for the Colossians is clear from his zealous prayers for their maturity and their full perception of God’s complete will for them. These concerns are the burden of this epistle. Epaphras’ fervent agonizing in prayer (cf. Luk 22:44) reflects his understanding that God would provide illumination and continued growth in proportion as people requested these of Him (Jas 4:2). This is spiritual work that only God can do. Epaphras’ concern for the Christians in the other towns near Colosse suggests the possibility that he evangelized these communities too.
"Epaphras holds the unique distinction among all the friends and co-workers of Paul of being the only one whom Paul explicitly commended for his intensive prayer ministry. The passage quoted above [Col 4:12-13] may well be called his diploma of success in this ministry." [Note: D. Edmond Hiebert, Working With God: Scriptural Studies in Intercession, p. 77.]
"Epaphras grasped, what many of us are slow to realize, that the tactics of the Christian battle are born of the strategy of prayer." [Note: Harrington C. Lees, St. Paul’s Friends, p. 157.]
"There are many things outside the power of ordinary Christian people, and great position, wide influence, outstanding ability may be lacking to almost all of us, but the humblest and least significant Christian can pray, and as ’prayer moves the Hand that moves the world,’ perhaps the greatest power we can exert is that which comes through prayer." [Note: W. H. Griffith Thomas, Christ Pre-Eminent, p. 191.]
"It is related of an old pastor who every Saturday afternoon could be seen leaving his study and entering the church house by the back door, and about sundown he would be seen going home. Someone’s curiosity was aroused enough to follow one day and watch through a window. It was in the days when the family pew was an institution of the church. The old pastor was seen to kneel at each pew and pray for every member of the family that was to occupy it on the Lord’s Day. He called each member by name as he poured out his heart to God for his flock. His was a ministry of power and his people reflected the grace of God upon them. Blessed is that church which has such a praying shepherd." [Note: Hiebert, p. 83. See also idem, "Epaphras, Man of Prayer," Bibliotheca Sacra 136:541 (January-March 1977):54-64.]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
THE CHARACTER AND AIM OF A CHRISTIAN MINISTER
[It is said of Jacob that he wrestled with God all night in prayer [Note: Compare Gen 32:24; Gen 32:28. with Hos 12:4.]. Thus did Epaphras on behalf of the Christians at Colosse [Note: This is implied in the term .]. How desirable is it that every minister should be so occupied!]
[He was not satisfied with preaching to them, or praying with them: he remembered them always in his secret prayers before God [Note: 1Th 3:10. with Isa 62:7.]; nor did his absence from them diminish his concern for their welfare. This was the most unequivocal testimony of his affection that he could possibly give them [Note: It is easier to preach to men ten hours, than to pray for them one.].]
1.
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Commentary on the Greek Text of Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Phillipians
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)