Colossians 4:12 kjv
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.
Colossians 4:12 nkjv
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12 niv
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Colossians 4:12 esv
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12 nlt
Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
Colossians 4 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 1:1 | Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ… | Example of bondservice. |
| Tit 1:1 | Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle… | Servitude to God. |
| Jas 1:1 | James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord… | Identity in Christ. |
| Rom 15:30 | ...strive together with me in prayers to God… | Intercessory labor. |
| 2 Cor 1:11 | ...you also helping together in prayer for us… | Corporate prayer. |
| Eph 6:18 | ...praying always with all prayer and supplication… | Constant, earnest prayer. |
| Phil 1:19 | ...this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer… | Effectual prayer. |
| Heb 5:7 | ...who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers… | Christ's earnest prayer. |
| Jas 5:16 | ...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. | Power of fervent prayer. |
| Matt 5:48 | Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father… | Divine standard for maturity. |
| Eph 4:13 | ...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge…to a perfect man… | Growth to maturity in Christ. |
| Heb 6:1 | Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles…let us go on to perfection… | Spiritual progress. |
| 1 Pet 5:10 | But may the God of all grace…perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. | God's work of perfecting. |
| Jas 1:4 | But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete… | Outcome of trials and patience. |
| Phil 3:15 | Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind… | Call to spiritual maturity. |
| 1 Thes 5:17 | Pray without ceasing. | Persistent prayer. |
| Rom 12:2 | And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. | Discerning and doing God's will. |
| Eph 5:17 | Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. | Wisdom in understanding God's will. |
| 1 Thes 4:3 | For this is the will of God, your sanctification… | God's will regarding holiness. |
| Heb 10:36 | For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. | Obedience to God's will. |
| 1 Jn 2:17 | And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. | Enduring through God's will. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is given by inspiration…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. | God's Word equips for completeness. |
| Col 1:9-10 | ...filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord… | Knowledge of God's will leads to worthy walk. |
Colossians 4 verses
Colossians 4 12 Meaning
Colossians 4:12 introduces Epaphras, a devoted believer from Colossae and a "servant of Christ." He is presented as an example of earnest intercessory prayer, consistently "laboring fervently" (or "agonizing") for the Colossian believers. The purpose of his intense prayer is specific and profound: that they might "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God," emphasizing spiritual maturity, steadfastness, and full assurance in living out divine truth, countering the prevalent syncretistic teachings of the time.
Colossians 4 12 Context
Colossians 4:12 concludes Paul's greetings and personal notes at the end of his letter. Having expounded on the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ (chapters 1-2) and the practical implications for daily living (chapter 3), Paul dedicates the final chapter to various exhortations and personal greetings. Within this closing section (Col 4:7-18), Epaphras stands out as a loyal fellow-laborer and an example of pastoral care. Epaphras was likely the evangelist who first brought the gospel to Colossae (Col 1:7) and understood the specific challenges the Colossian believers faced, including the syncretistic heresy threatening their understanding of Christ's fullness and sufficiency (Col 2:8-23). His fervent prayer for them is directly responsive to these spiritual needs, underscoring the necessity of genuine spiritual growth rooted in God's revealed will, not human traditions.
Colossians 4 12 Word analysis
- Epaphras: (Greek: Ἐπαφρᾶς - Epaphras). A short form of Epaphroditus, but a distinct individual from the Epaphroditus mentioned in Philippians. He was a native of Colossae ("who is one of you"). His deep familiarity with the church allowed him to carry their burdens and serve as Paul's faithful fellow-servant.
- servant: (Greek: δοῦλος - doulos). More accurately "bondservant" or "slave." It signifies complete devotion, ownership by another, and submission to the master's will. For Epaphras, it denotes his full commitment and subservience to Christ, serving not out of compulsion but dedication.
- of Christ: Identifies his master and the sphere of his service. His ministry is entirely centered on and dedicated to Jesus.
- greets you: A standard part of ancient letter writing, but from a trusted and respected figure who clearly holds the Colossians in high regard.
- always laboring fervently: (Greek: πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος - pantote agōnizomenos).
- always (πάντοτε - pantote): Signifies consistency and persistence in his prayer life. It was a continual state, not sporadic.
- laboring fervently (ἀγωνιζόμενος - agōnizomenos): The root is agōn (agony, struggle, contest). This is a strong verb indicating intense striving, wrestling, or agonizing. It describes Epaphras's prayer as a spiritual struggle, a contest of determination and fervent effort, much like an athlete strives for victory. This goes beyond casual prayer; it speaks of deep emotional and spiritual exertion on behalf of others.
- for you in prayers: Directly specifies the beneficiaries and the means of his fervent labor: the Colossians, through his consistent intercession.
- that you may stand perfect: (Greek: ἵνα σταθῆτε τέλειοι - hina stathete teleioi).
- stand (σταθῆτε - stathete): Implies stability, steadfastness, firmness against opposition, and endurance. It's a desire for their spiritual resilience.
- perfect (τέλειοι - teleioi): Does not mean sinless perfection, but rather spiritual maturity, completeness, or full growth in faith. It denotes arriving at a desired state of Christian maturity, knowledge, and integrity, especially crucial when surrounded by distorting doctrines.
- and complete: (Greek: καὶ πεπληροφορημένοι - kai peplērophorēmenoi). From plērophoreō, meaning "to be fully assured, fully convinced, fully furnished, fully complete or satisfied." The perfect passive participle implies a state of being completely filled or assured. This adds to "perfect," suggesting not just maturity in spiritual stature, but also a full certainty and unwavering conviction concerning Christian truth, in contrast to the vacillations caused by false teachings. It speaks of spiritual confidence and certainty in God's truth.
- in all the will of God: (Greek: ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ - en panti thelēmati tou Theou). This is the sphere and substance of their desired perfection and completeness. It means understanding, embracing, and living in full conformity to God's revealed will in every aspect of life. It implies both knowledge of God's moral precepts and personal discernment of His purpose. This is a crucial phrase that counters the Colossian heresy, which promoted human traditions and regulations over divine will.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "servant of Christ": Highlights Epaphras's foundational identity and motivation. His service is defined by his allegiance to Christ, not human recognition or gain. This sets him apart as an authentic spiritual leader.
- "always laboring fervently for you in prayers": This phrase paints a vivid picture of powerful, consistent, and sacrificial intercession. It reveals the heart of a true shepherd and underscores the importance of persistent, agonized prayer in spiritual warfare and pastoral care. It's an example of spiritual striving on behalf of others.
- "that you may stand perfect and complete": Defines the ultimate goal of Epaphras's prayer. It's a desire for the Colossians to attain full spiritual maturity and unshakeable confidence in their faith, especially vital given the false teachings they faced. "Perfect" points to development in character and understanding, while "complete" points to unwavering conviction and assurance.
- "in all the will of God": Establishes the divine standard and source of true perfection and completeness. It implies that spiritual maturity and assurance are found not in human philosophy or ascetic practices, but in wholehearted alignment with God's comprehensive revealed will for His people. This directs them away from erroneous doctrines and towards a life centered on divine truth.
Colossians 4 12 Bonus section
Epaphras's devotion serves as a timeless example of a pastor's or believer's burden for their church and fellow saints. His deep spiritual burden is tangible, reflecting the concern Christ Himself has for His church. This kind of intense, heartfelt intercession is a spiritual act that impacts the spiritual state of others more profoundly than mere human effort. His specific focus on "the will of God" reinforces that spiritual growth is not amorphous but takes shape according to God's revealed desires, serving as a guiding principle against doctrinal deviation. Epaphras's dedication is even more poignant as he was "one of them" (Colossae natives), emphasizing local ownership and responsibility for the spiritual health of one's community of faith. This also means he was intimately aware of their struggles and specific needs. His prayer suggests that maturity and completeness involve actively discerning and aligning with God's purposes in every facet of life, combating intellectual and spiritual instability.
Colossians 4 12 Commentary
Colossians 4:12 provides a powerful portrait of Epaphras as a faithful, self-sacrificing intercessor whose fervent prayers exemplified true pastoral care. His "agonizing" prayer was not a casual petition but an intense spiritual struggle for the spiritual well-being of the Colossians. His desire for them was two-fold: for spiritual maturity ("perfect") and unwavering conviction in their faith ("complete"). This was especially critical as the Colossian church faced a significant syncretistic heresy, promising superior spiritual insight through human rules or mystic experiences, drawing believers away from the sufficiency of Christ. Epaphras's prayer focused them back onto "all the will of God," underscoring that true spiritual growth and stability come only through obedience to and assurance in divine truth, not human tradition. This verse thus stands as a model for intercessory prayer—intense, persistent, and purposefully aimed at God-defined spiritual flourishing for others. It teaches us the importance of prayer as genuine spiritual warfare and our role in upholding fellow believers in faith and sound doctrine.