Epaphras [Ĕp'aphrăs]—charming or foamy. A fellow laborer of Paul and in some sense his fellow-prisoner (Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philem. 23.

The Man Who Was a Giant in Prayer

This Colossian is described in many ways. He was Paul’s “fellow-servant” and “servant,” his “fellow-prisoner,” and a “faithful minister.” He was also Paul’s representative at Colossae where he had founded the church (Col. 1:7), and sought under Paul’s advice to combat prevalent heresies there. The apostle had affection for Epaphras, who ministered unto his need and the need of others.

It is in his prayer-ministry, however, that Epaphras is conspicuous. This giant in prayer knew how to lay all before the Lord, and laboring in secret, made the saints to be perfect and complete in their standing through his kneeling. He “strove earnestly in his prayers” for the Colossians. He wrestled in prayer that they might be perfect in the perfection of Christ, and “fully assured in all the will of God.” Paul also testified to the perseverance as well as the prayers of Epaphras. He knew how to toil on behalf of the saints of God. He was practical as well as prayerful.

His prayers for the stability and maturity of others were numerous, continuous and strenuous. Epaphras brought to Paul at Rome a report of the Colossian Church where he had ministered in Paul’s stead, an account that cheered his heart and resulted in the writing of the Colossian Epistle which Epaphras took back with him to his flock. Can we say that we are true successors of the devoted servant of God? Like him, do we know how to wrestle in agony of prayer? (Rom. 15:30). Epaphras also manifested great zeal or properly “great labour of anxiety” for those under his care. Too few of us are concerned about the spiritual welfare of others.