Epaphras

Biblical Record

Epaphras is mentioned twice in Colossians and once in Philemon.

• Colossians 1:7–8: Paul says that the Colossian believers learned the gospel from "Epaphras our dear fellowservant." He calls him one "who is for you a faithful minister of Christ" and notes that he "declared unto us your love in the Spirit."
• Colossians 4:12–13: Epaphras is introduced as a native of Colossae ("who is one of you"). He is "always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Paul testifies that he has "a great zeal" not only for the Colossians but also for the believers in neighboring Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Philemon 23: Paul calls Epaphras "my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus" and conveys his greetings along with those of Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke.

Beyond these passages, Scripture says nothing about his birth, the circumstances of his conversion, or the end of his life.

Significance Within Scripture

Colossians 2:1 suggests that Paul had never met the Colossian believers face to face. For this reason, the church at Colossae is understood not as a congregation Paul founded personally but as one that arose through the preaching of one of his coworkers. Epaphras is portrayed as the key figure in that process. He is depicted as someone who, while remaining with Paul, never ceased praying for the churches of his home region. He is therefore frequently cited as a model of intercessory prayer (prayer offered on behalf of others).

Interpretation and Debated Questions

• Is he the same person as Epaphroditus? The name Epaphras can be regarded as a shortened form of Epaphroditus, and some have therefore held that he is identical with Epaphroditus of Philippians. However, because Epaphroditus is associated with the church at Philippi and Epaphras with the church at Colossae, most scholars regard them as two different people.
• The meaning of "fellowprisoner": Some interpret the term to mean that Epaphras was actually imprisoned with Paul. Others, noting that the original Greek word means "fellow captive," take it as a figurative expression for spiritual warfare. In Colossians 4:10, Aristarchus is given the same title.
• Historical setting: Scholars disagree about where Paul was imprisoned at the time (Rome, Ephesus, and Caesarea, among other locations, have been proposed). On the authorship of Colossians, conservative scholars regard the letter as written by Paul, while some critical scholars attribute it to disciples of Paul writing after his time.
• Later traditions: According to some accounts, Epaphras became bishop of Colossae or died as a martyr. These are later traditions and are not found in the biblical text. It is also commonly said that he informed Paul of false teaching in Colossae, prompting the writing of the letter, but this is an inference drawn from the text.

In the Korean Church

In Korean preaching, Epaphras is usually presented, chiefly on the basis of Colossians 4:12, as an example of "a worker who serves through prayer" and "a faithful coworker who labors unseen." He is also cited to encourage prayer ministries in local churches and laypeople engaged in evangelism. Some churches name intercessory prayer groups or prayer ministry teams after him.