Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. New Living Translation Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. English Standard Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Berean Standard Bible 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 Literal Bible Epaphras greets you, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, always struggling for you in the prayers, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. New American Standard Bible Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. NASB 1995 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. NASB 1977 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Legacy Standard Bible Epaphras, who is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God. Amplified Bible Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. Christian Standard Bible Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. Holman Christian Standard Bible Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills. American Standard Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Contemporary English Version Your own Epaphras, who serves Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He always prays hard that you may fully know what the Lord wants you to do and that you may do it completely. English Revised Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. GOD'S WORD® Translation Epaphras, a servant of Christ Jesus from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants. Good News Translation Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will. International Standard Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of the Messiah Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand mature, completely convinced of the entire will of God. Majority Standard Bible Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and complete in the full will of God. NET Bible Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. New Heart English Bible Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, sends you greetings, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Webster's Bible Translation Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Weymouth New Testament Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm--Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God's will. World English Bible Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEpaphras greets you, who [is] of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that you may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God, Berean Literal Bible Epaphras greets you, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, always struggling for you in the prayers, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Young's Literal Translation Salute you doth Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God, Smith's Literal Translation Epaphras, who of you, greets you, a servant of Christ, always contending for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfected and completed in all the will of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEpaphras saluteth you, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, who is always solicitous for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God. Catholic Public Domain Version Epaphras greets you, who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, ever solicitous for you in prayer, so that you may stand, perfect and complete, in the entire will of God. New American Bible Epaphras sends you greetings; he is one of you, a slave of Christ [Jesus], always striving for you in his prayers so that you may be perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. New Revised Standard Version Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEp’a-phras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you: always labouring for you in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Epaphra, a Servant of The Messiah from among you, invokes your peace, laboring always for you in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in the whole pleasure of God, NT Translations Anderson New TestamentEpaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you; he always strives earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Godbey New Testament Epaphras, who is from you, the servant of Jesus Christ, always agonizing in your behalf in his prayers, in order that you may stand perfect even having been fully carried away in all the will of God, salutes you. Haweis New Testament Epaphras, one of you, saluteth you, a servant of Christ, always wrestling for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Mace New Testament have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe, Weymouth New Testament Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm--Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God's will. Worrell New Testament Epaphras, who is from among you, salutes you, a servant of Christ Jesus, always striving in your behalf in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Worsley New Testament Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you; who always strives earnestly for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Final Greetings…11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, 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. 13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.… Cross References Philippians 1:4-5 In every prayer for all of you, I always pray with joy, / because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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. Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 2 Corinthians 13:9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection. 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— Ephesians 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith, Acts 20:31 Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Luke 22:44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Hebrews 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. Treasury of Scripture Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Epaphras. Colossians 1:7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Philemon 1:23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; a servant. John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. always. Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, labouring. Colossians 2:1-23 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; … that. Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; See on ch. Colossians 1:9,22,28 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; … Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 1 Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: Jump to Previous Always Assured Behalf Bondservant Bondslave Character Christ Christians Clear Complete Conviction Earnestly Epaphras Fervently Firm Fully God's Greetings Greets Jesus Labouring Perfect Prayer Prayers Remembering Ripe Salutes Saluteth Sends Servant Stand Striving Thought Wrestling YourselvesJump to Next Always Assured Behalf Bondservant Bondslave Character Christ Christians Clear Complete Conviction Earnestly Epaphras Fervently Firm Fully God's Greetings Greets Jesus Labouring Perfect Prayer Prayers Remembering Ripe Salutes Saluteth Sends Servant Stand Striving Thought Wrestling YourselvesColossians 4 1. He exhorts them to be fervent in prayer;5. to walk wisely toward those who are not yet come to the true knowledge of Christ. 10. He salutes them, and wishes them all prosperity. Epaphras Epaphras is a significant figure in the early Christian church, mentioned here as a fellow believer from Colossae. His name, of Greek origin, means "lovely" or "charming." Historically, Epaphras is believed to have been instrumental in founding the church at Colossae, as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis. His role as a church planter and leader highlights the importance of local leadership in the early church, emphasizing the need for dedicated individuals who are deeply rooted in their communities to spread the Gospel. who is one of you 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 Servant of Christ.--A title assumed by St. James and St. Judo, as well as by St. Paul himself, but given by him only to Timothy (Philippians 1:1) and to Epaphras here. Of course, all Christians are "servants of Christ." But the name, as applied here, is no doubt distinctive of some peculiar character of service. Labouring fervently.--Properly, wrestling in agony of prayer. (See Romans 15:30.) Perfect and complete.--The word here found in the best MSS. for "complete" is used in Romans 4:21; Romans 14:5, for "fully convinced" or "persuaded." This is probably, though not perhaps necessarily, its meaning here. In the two epithets--perfect and fully established in conviction--we may again trace, as before, reference to the pretensions of the Gnostic teachers to exclusive perfection in wisdom. St. Paul's true fellow-worker, like himself, prays that this perfection may belong to all, and that it may have its basis not is the secrets of heavenly knowledge, but in the revealed "will of God." . . . Verse 12. - Epaphras, who is (one) of you, saluteth you, a servant (bondman) of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1; Galatians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 7:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:24; Acts 4:29; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 22:3, 6). "Of you," like Onesimus (ver. 9). He was a native of Colossae, as well as evangelist and minister of the Church there (Colossians 1:7, 8). "Bondman of Christ Jesus" is the title the apostle so often claims for himself (see references), only here put by him on any one else. Is there an implied reference to Onesimus (ver. 9), who was "a bondman after the flesh," but "the Lord's freedman" (Philemon 1:16), while Epaphras, "the freeman," is "Christ's bondman" (comp. 1 Corinthians 7:22)? We are reminded again of Colossians 2:6 (see note). Always striving on your behalf in his prayers, that ye may stand fast, (being) perfect and fully assured in all the will of God (Colossians 1:9, 23, 29; Colossians 2:1, 2, 5; Romans 15:30; Ephesians 6:11-14; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). Epaphras "strives" ("wrestles") for his spiritual charge, like the apostle himself (Colossians 1:29, see note on ἀγωνίζομαι; Colossians 2:1; Romans 15:30; Luke 22:44). Προσκαρτερέω in ver. 2 denotes the patient persistence, this word the intense energy, of prevailing prayer. For "stand" (where Lightfoot, Westcott and Hort, and other critical editors read the stronger σταθῆτε for στῆτε), comp. Colossians 1:23; Colossians 2:7; it is four times repeated in the stirring appeal of Ephesians 6:11-14. For Churches threatened by the attacks of heresy it was above all things needful "that they should stand fast." On "perfect," see Colossians 1:28; also Colossians 3:14; the word bears a primary reference to "knowledge," and implies a fully instructed and enlightened condition (Philippians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 5:14; Hebrews 6:1), attended with corresponding spiritual advancement (Ephesians 4:13). "Fully assured" (πεπληροφορημένοι, Revised Text) carries us back to Colossians 2:2 (see notes; on this verb, compare Lightfoot's exhaustive note). It bears the same sense in Romans 4:21 and Romans 14:5; a slightly different one in Luke 1:1. From the tenor of the letter it appears that the Colossians needed a deeper Christian insight and more intelligent and well-grounded convictions respecting the truth "as in Jesus." "All (the) will" is strictly distributive (every will); θέλημα' (Colossians 1:9) differs from our will in having a concrete rather than abstract sense, denoting an act or expression of will.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Epaphras,Ἐπαφρᾶς (Epaphras) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1889: Contracted from Epaphroditos; Epaphras, a Christian. who [is] ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [one] of ἐξ (ex) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [and] a servant δοῦλος (doulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. of Christ Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. Jesus, Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. sends you greetings. Ἀσπάζεται (Aspazetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 782: To greet, salute, pay my respects to, welcome. To enfold in the arms, i.e. to salute, to welcome. [He is] always πάντοτε (pantote) Adverb Strong's 3842: Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times. wrestling ἀγωνιζόμενος (agōnizomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 75: From agon; to struggle, literally, figuratively, or genitive case. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. prayer προσευχαῖς (proseuchais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 4335: From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory. for ὑπὲρ (hyper) Preposition Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above. you, ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. so that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. you may stand σταθῆτε (stathēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications. mature τέλειοι (teleioi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5046: From telos; complete; neuter completeness. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. fully assured πεπληροφορημένοι (peplērophorēmenoi) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 4135: From pleres and phoreo; to carry out fully, i.e. Completely assure, entirely accomplish. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] full παντὶ (panti) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. will θελήματι (thelēmati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination. of God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Links Colossians 4:12 NIVColossians 4:12 NLT Colossians 4:12 ESV Colossians 4:12 NASB Colossians 4:12 KJV Colossians 4:12 BibleApps.com Colossians 4:12 Biblia Paralela Colossians 4:12 Chinese Bible Colossians 4:12 French Bible Colossians 4:12 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Colossians 4:12 Epaphras who is one of you (Coloss. Col Co) |