Bible Strands
Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian believers while imprisoned, closing his letter by relaying greetings from Epaphras, a fellow laborer who remains actively connected to their spiritual condition.
The words — δοῦλος (doulos) literally means "servant" or "bondslave," designating Epaphras by his functional submission to Christ rather than by social rank.
The thread — The text places Epaphras' intercession alongside Paul's own recorded prayers in Colossians 1:9 and aligns his labor with the apostolic command to join in spiritual struggle through prayer in Romans 15:30.
Why it lands — The passage states that spiritual maturity and assurance depend on persistent intercession, then requires readers to abandon self-reliance and submit to the same disciplined prayer that sustains faithful workers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Romans 15:30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
- Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
- Colossians 1:7 You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
- Philemon 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,
- Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
- Galatians 4:19 My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
- 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
- Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.