Colossians 1:7-8: Bible Study

Paul always demonstrates gratefulness for those who help in the ministry.   Colossians is no different.  Paul refers to a pastor-like individual named, Epaphras.  His name means, “lovely.”  He was the first to bring the Gospel to the people of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13).  The rest is shrouded in mystery.  For Epaphras, there only remains a few more descriptions of his character.

Colossians 1:7-8

“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.”

The first description about Epaphras is that he is a “dear fellow-servant.”  The second, he is a “faithful minister of Christ.”  These are important for ministers to examine.  Epaphras may not be a well-known person, but he demonstrates essential qualities for those who look to make a long-term impact.

Dear fellow-servant

Paul uses the term fellow-servant to imply that Epaphras and him, both serve the same master.  He is a dear or beloved individual.  It is interesting to note that the Greek word for love, “agape,” is a root word for “dear.”  Agape love, as it is often called, refers to love that is self-sacrificial.  It is a reminder of Jesus’ words in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Faithful Minister of Christ

Epaphras acted as an evangelist and pastor to the people of this region.  The ministry he had there seemed to come with great results.  He shares with Paul and companions about the Colassian’s “love in the Spirit” (Col. 1:8).  Whether he was doing the work of the evangelist or the pastor, Epaphras was faithful.  Even in absence, as in this time of Paul’s writing, Epharas was still laboring in prayer for the church of Colossae.  They were written on his heart, and he worked for their good without end

Our Application

How easy is it for us to become forgetful of our pastors and those who care for our needs?  Often, we tend to forget that they labor in the Word of God, prayer, and the promotion of unity among believers.  It is easy to see them as individual’s who make a weekly religious talk, but in times of trouble and sickness, they are there to pray and offer the services of the Church.  Let us pray for our pastors and other leaders in the church.

All Scripture is from the King James Version.