Bible Dictionary
Epaphras
Epaphras was a beloved fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ associated with the church at Colossae. He labored for believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis and was with Paul during imprisonment.
Definition
Epaphras was a beloved fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ associated with the church at Colossae. He was a fellow prisoner with Paul and labored for believers in several cities of the Lycus region.
Biblical Usage
Epaphras taught the Colossians the grace of God and brought Paul news of their faith and love. Paul described his earnest labor for believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Historical Background
Epaphras was with Paul during part of his first Roman imprisonment. He was probably the missionary through whom the Colossians were converted and may also have been involved in founding the neighboring churches.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Lovely, spoken of by Paul (Col. 1:7; 4:12) as “his dear fellow-servant,” and “a faithful minister of Christ.” He was thus evidently with him at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He was a distinguished disciple, and probably the founder of the Colossian church. He is also mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (1:23), where he is called by Paul his “fellow-prisoner.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(lovely), a fellow laborer with the apostle Paul, mentioned (Colossians 1:7) as having taught the Colossian church the grace of God in truth, and designated a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. He was at that time with St. Paul at Rome. (A.D. 57.) For Paul’s estimate of him see (Colossians 1:7,8; 4:12)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ep'-a-fras (Epaphras):</p><p>A contracted form of Epaphroditus. He must not, however, be confounded with the messenger of the Philippian community. He was with Paul during a part of his 1st Roman imprisonment, joining in Paul's greetings to Philemon (Phm 1:23). Epaphras was the missionary by whose instrumentality the Colossians had been converted to Christianity (Col 1:7), and probably the other churches of the Lycus had been founded by him. In sending his salutation to the Colossians Paul testified, "He hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis" (Col 4:13). Epaphras had brought to Paul good news of the progress of the gospel, of their "faith in Christ Jesus" and of their love toward all the saints (Col 1:4). Paul's regard for him is shown by his designating him "our beloved fellow-servant," "a faithful minister of Christ" (Col 1:7), and "a bondservant of Christ Jesus" (Col 4:12 margin) . The last designation Paul uses several times of himself, but only once of another besides Epaphras (Php 1:1).</p><p>S. F. Hunter</p>