Bible Strands
Philemon 1:23
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes from imprisonment to Philemon, a Colossian believer, closing his personal letter with a transmission of greetings from his associates.
The words — συναιχμάλωτος (sunaichmalōtos) translates literally as "fellow prisoner," and ἀσπάζεται (aspazetai) means "he greets."
The thread — Philemon 1:23 identifies Epaphras as a co-imprisoner in Christ Jesus, aligning with Colossians 1:7 and Colossians 4:12 where Paul describes Epaphras as a faithful minister sending greetings. Romans 16:7 mentions fellow prisoners, but the Greek imperative commands the recipient to greet Andronicus and Junia rather than depicting the prisoners as the ones extending greetings.
Why it lands — The text records a confined apostle relaying greetings, establishing that Christian fellowship functions within shared confinement rather than despite it. It requires the reader to acknowledge that communal identity in Christ operates independently of physical liberty.
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
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:7 You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- Romans 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
- 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.
- Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.