Colossians 4:13 kjv
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13 nkjv
For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13 niv
I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13 esv
For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13 nlt
I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Colossians 4 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 15:10 | "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than all of them..." | Paul's intense labor by grace |
| 2 Cor 6:5 | "...in labors, in sleepless nights, in fastings..." | Paul's hardships including toil |
| 2 Cor 11:28 | "besides the external pressures, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." | Paul's pastoral concern for all churches |
| Gal 4:11 | "I am afraid I have labored over you in vain." | Fear of wasted effort in ministry |
| Phil 2:16 | "...that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." | Paul's labor to see fruit |
| Phil 2:30 | "...because of the work of Christ he came close to death, having risked his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me." | Risking life in gospel service |
| Col 1:7 | "...just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf," | Epaphras as faithful minister and servant |
| Col 1:29 | "To this end I also toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." | Toiling with divine strength |
| Col 4:12 | "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers..." | Epaphras's struggle in prayer |
| 1 Thes 2:9 | "For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: working night and day..." | Apostle's toilsome work |
| 2 Tim 2:6 | "It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." | Reward for arduous labor |
| Tit 3:14 | "And let our people learn to engage in good deeds, so as to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful." | Engaging in good works |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another..." | Serving through spiritual gifts |
| Mt 9:37-38 | "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" | Need for diligent laborers |
| Mk 6:13 | "And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them." | Exerting effort in ministry |
| Acts 20:35 | "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak..." | Working hard to help others |
| Rom 15:30 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers for me," | Striving together in prayer |
| Rom 16:6 | "Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you." | Others recognized for hard work |
| 1 Cor 3:8 | "...he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor." | Reward for spiritual labor |
| Heb 6:10 | "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do." | God remembers diligent service |
| Jude 1:3 | "...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." | Contending for truth |
Colossians 4 verses
Colossians 4 13 Meaning
Colossians 4:13 commends Epaphras for his immense labor and deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the believers not only in Colossae but also in the nearby cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. It highlights his strenuous effort and sacrificial dedication to the regional church, implying a burdensome work undertaken on their behalf.
Colossians 4 13 Context
Colossians 4:13 falls within the concluding section of Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically in the portion where he sends greetings and commendations for his co-workers and the various churches. This verse highlights Epaphras, who is already known to the Colossian church (Col 1:7) as the faithful minister through whom they received the gospel. Paul is providing personal endorsements and updates on those serving with him and those dedicated to the churches in the Lycus Valley region. Epaphras's demonstrated concern and extensive labor for the Colossian church, along with its close neighbors, Laodicea and Hierapolis, served to reinforce the strong bond of fellowship among these communities and validate Epaphras's dedicated ministry, possibly against the backdrop of challenges like false teachings that permeated the region.
Colossians 4 13 Word analysis
For I bear him record (μαρτυρῶ γὰρ αὐτῷ - martyrō gar autō):
- μαρτυρῶ (martyrō): From martyreō, meaning "to bear witness," "to testify," "to give evidence." It implies an eyewitness account, a statement of fact based on personal observation or knowledge, often with a sense of solemn affirmation or official endorsement. Paul is providing a credible and authoritative testimony about Epaphras's character and work.
- Significance: This is not mere hearsay but Paul's personal attestation, giving weight and credibility to Epaphras's selfless efforts. It connects to the broader biblical concept of "witness" to the truth of Christ and the integrity of His servants.
that he hath a great zeal / he has deep concern / he has much toil (ὅτι ἔχει πολὺν πόνον - hoti echei polyn ponon):
- ἔχει (echei): "He has," denoting possession or state.
- πολὺν (polyn): Accusative masculine singular of polys, meaning "much," "many," "great," "abundant." It indicates a large quantity or intense degree.
- πόνον (ponon): Accusative masculine singular of ponos, which fundamentally means "toil," "labor," "exertion," "hard work," "drudgery," often with the implication of distress or pain accompanying the effort. While "zeal" captures the passion, "toil" or "deep concern" (as in NASB) captures the arduous and self-sacrificial nature of his efforts. It's more than enthusiasm; it's active, difficult work.
- Significance: This is the core of Paul's commendation. Epaphras's dedication involved significant physical and emotional exertion, strenuous labor, and likely much hardship or personal cost. It speaks of a deep, active commitment rather than mere sentiment. His work for the churches was demanding.
for you (ὑμῶν - hymōn): Referring to the Colossian believers.
and them that are in Laodicea (καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ - kai tōn en Laodikeia):
- Λαοδικείᾳ (Laodikeia): Laodicea was a wealthy commercial city in the Lycus Valley, known for its lukewarm spiritual state (Rev 3:15-16), wool, eye salve, and banking. It was about 10 miles northwest of Colossae.
- Significance: Epaphras's ministry extended beyond Colossae to a significant regional center.
and them in Hierapolis (καὶ τῶν ἐν Ἱεραπόλει - kai tōn en Hierapolei):
- Ἱεραπόλει (Hierapolei): Hierapolis, another city in the Lycus Valley, famous for its hot mineral springs and a prominent center of pagan worship (especially to Cybele and Pluto). It was about 6 miles north of Laodicea.
- Significance: His concern covered the major cities of the immediate region, demonstrating a broad pastoral burden for the gospel's spread and protection in this interconnected area.
Words-group Analysis:
"bear him record that he hath a great zeal / deep concern / much toil": Paul is underscoring the sincerity and intensity of Epaphras's devotion. It's not just a passing interest, but a deep, personally costly involvement in the welfare of the churches. The active Greek noun ponos here elevates "zeal" from mere enthusiasm to laborious effort, showing a ministry of diligent work and sacrifice. This would have resonated with the Colossians, as Epaphras was also one of them.
"for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis": This tripartite mention highlights Epaphras's expansive care for the broader Christian community in the Lycus Valley, where these cities formed a tight-knit network. It also serves as an example of inter-church concern, emphasizing the unity of the body of Christ across geographical boundaries and encouraging a regional perspective in ministry.
Colossians 4 13 Bonus section
The specific mention of Laodicea and Hierapolis alongside Colossae (all cities in the Lycus Valley) underscores the early church's regional network. Paul implies that Epaphras's ministry efforts were not confined to a single locality but extended across these significant, often challenging, pagan urban centers. This demonstrates an understanding of ministry that viewed neighboring communities as part of a collective mission field, a practice essential for the gospel's widespread propagation and for mutual encouragement and support among scattered believers. It implicitly highlights the interconnectedness of these fledgling Christian communities. The "great toil" may have involved resisting the pervasive syncretism and philosophical deviations that were particularly acute in these sophisticated and wealthy Roman cities.
Colossians 4 13 Commentary
Colossians 4:13 provides a profound glimpse into the sacrificial nature of true Christian ministry through the commendation of Epaphras. Paul, with personal authority, attests to Epaphras's "great toil," a phrase that captures both passionate dedication and the demanding, burdensome effort involved. This was not a superficial concern but one requiring significant energy, perhaps even involving suffering or arduous travel within the challenging pagan contexts of these cities. Epaphras's broad focus on Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis reveals a heart not confined to a single congregation, but deeply invested in the health and growth of the broader church in his native region. This expansive and laborious care for geographically distinct yet interconnected communities is a model of persistent, Christ-centered pastoral labor aimed at fostering maturity and safeguarding truth against prevailing cultural and doctrinal challenges.