Colossians 1:7

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Colossians 1:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

King James Version KJV

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

American Standard Version ASV

even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

Bible in Basic English BBE

As it was given to you by Epaphras, our well-loved helper, who is a true servant of Christ for us,

Free Bible Version FBV

Our dear friend and fellow-worker Epaphras, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on our behalf, taught you about this.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

As yee also learned of Epaphras our deare fellowe seruaunt, which is for you a faithfull minister of Christ:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

as ye also learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful ministrant of the Christ,

World English Bible WEB

even as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

As ye also learned from Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

As you learned of Epaphras, our most beloved fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ Jesus;

Translation for Translators T4T

That is just what Epaphras taught you would happen. We love Epaphras. He serves Christ together with us and works for Christ faithfully for your benefit.

Plain English Version PEV

Epafras told you the message about Jesus. He works for Jesus Christ, just like we do, and we love him very much. You see, we couldn’t go and tell you the message about Jesus, but he went instead of us. He is a good man. You can always believe what he tells you.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Colossians 1:7

BAB

Word Study

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Colossians 1:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK καθως και εμαθετε απο επαφρα του αγαπητου συνδουλου ημων ος εστιν πιστος υπερ υμων διακονος του χριστου

καθως kathōs G2531 as/just as Adv

και kai G2532 and Conj

εμαθετε manthanō G3129 to learn Verb-2AAI-2P

απο apo G575 away from Prep

επαφρα Epaphras G1889 Epaphras Noun-GSM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

αγαπητου agapētos G27 beloved Adj-GSM

συνδουλου sundoulos G4889 fellow slave Noun-GSM

ημων egō G1473 I/we Pron-1GP

ος hos, hē G3739 which Rel-NSM

εστιν eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-3S

πιστος pistos G4103 faithful Adj-NSM

υπερ huper G5228 above/for Prep

υμων su G4771 you Pron-2GP

διακονος diakonos G1249 servant Noun-NSM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

χριστου Christos G5547 Christ Noun-GSM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Colossians 1:7

καθως kathōs G2531 "as/just as" Adv

As or just as something is, like in Luke 1:2 and John 5:23, showing a comparison or similarity.

Definition: καθώς, (i.e. καθ᾽ ὡς), Hellenistic for καθά, which see, καθάπερ, καθό, καθότι (Mayser, 485; Eutherford, NPhr., 495; Bl., §78, 1), according as, even as, just as, as: Luk.1:2 (see: καθά), 24:39, Jhn.5:23, Act.7:48, 1Co.8:2, Gal.3:6, al.; before οὕτως, Luk.11:30, Jhn.3:14, 2Co.1:5, Col.3:13, 1Jn.2:6, al.; before καί, Jhn.15:9, 1Co.15:49, 1Jn.2:18, al.; οὕτως . . . κ., Luk.24:24; id. with ellipsis of οὕτως, Mat.21:6, Mrk.16:7, Rom.1:13, al.; with other elliptical constructions, Jhn.6:58 17:21, 22 Act.15:8, 1Th.2:13, 1Ti.1:3, 1Jn.3:2, 3 12; καθὼς γέγραπται (Deiss., BS, 249), Mat.26:24, Mrk.9:13, Rom.1:17, al.; introducing subst. clause as object of verb (as in Heb.), Mat.21:6, Mrk.11:6, Luk.5:14, al.; after verbs of speaking, Act.15:14; of proportion and degree, Mrk.4:33, 1Co.12:11, 18 al.; of time (Neh.5:6, 2Ma.1:31), Act.7:17. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 180 NT verses. KJV: according to, (according, even) as, how, when See also: 1 Corinthians 1:6; Galatians 3:6; 1 Peter 4:10.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εμαθετε manthanō G3129 "to learn" Verb-2AAI-2P

This verb means to learn or understand something, often through inquiry or experience, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14:31 and 1 Timothy 2:11.

Definition: μανθάνω [in LXX chiefly for לָמַד ;] __1. to learn, esp. by inquiry: absol., 1Co.14:31, 1Ti.2:11, 2Ti.3:7; with accusative of thing(s), Jhn.7:15 (sc. αὐτά), Rom.16:17, 1Co.14:35, Php.4:9, 2Ti.3:14, Rev.14:3; before quaes. indir., Mat.9:13; Χριστόν, Eph.4:20 (ICC, in l); before ἀπό, with genitive of thing(s), Mat.24:32, Mrk.13:28; ἀπό, with genitive of person(s), Mat.11:29, Col.1:7; παρά, with genitive of person(s), 2Ti.3:14; ἐν, with dative of person(s), 1Co.4:6; "point" aorist (M, Pr., 117), to ascertain, before ὅτι, Act.23:27; with accusative before ἀπό, Gal.3:2. __2. to learn by use and practice, acquire the habit of, be accustomed to: with inf. (Bl., § 69, 4), 1Ti.5:4, Tit.3:14; id. with nom, in pred. (El., § 72, 1), Php.4:11; with accusative of thing(s) before ἀπό, Heb.5:8; ἀργαὶ μανθάνουσιν (EV, they learn to be idle; Bl., § 73, 5; Field, Notes, 210), 1Ti.5:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 24 NT verses. KJV: learn, understand See also: 1 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 5:8; Revelation 14:3.

απο apo G575 "away from" Prep

This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.

Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.

επαφρα Epaphras G1889 "Epaphras" Noun-GSM

Epaphras was a Christian who worked with Paul, mentioned in Colossians 1:7 and Philemon 1:23. He was a fellow servant of the Lord.

Definition: Ἐπαφρᾶς, -ᾶ (B1., § 7, 4), ὁ, Epaphras: Col.1:7 4:12, Phm 23.*† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: Epaphras See also: Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αγαπητου agapētos G27 "beloved" Adj-GSM

Beloved means to be loved or cherished by someone, like God or a friend, as seen in Matthew 3:17 and Romans 1:7. This word describes a sense of affection or fondness. It is often translated as 'beloved' or 'dearly loved' in the KJV Bible.

Definition: ἀγαπητός, -ή, -όν (ἀγαπάω), [in LXX chiefly for יָתִיד, יָדִיד ;] beloved (see M, Pr., 221); __(a) by God: of Christ, Mat.3:17; of men, Rom.1:7; __(b) by Christians, of one another: 1Co.4:14; frequently as form of address, ib. 10:14; opposite to ἐχθρός, Rom.11:28 (see AR, Eph., 229; Cremer, 17; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 61 NT verses. KJV: (dearly, well) beloved, dear See also: 1 Corinthians 4:14; Colossians 4:14; 1 Peter 2:11.

συνδουλου sundoulos G4889 "fellow slave" Noun-GSM

A fellow slave is someone who serves the same master as others, like in Matthew 18:28-33 where it refers to servants of a human lord, and in Colossians 1:7 where it refers to servants of God.

Definition: σύν-δουλος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Est.4:7, 9 4:17, 23 5:3, 6 6:6, 13 (כְּנָת) * ;] a fellow-servant: Mat.18:28-33 24:49; of servants of the same divine Lord, Col.1:7 4:7, Rev.6:11; so of angels, Rev.19:10 22:9.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 10 NT verses. KJV: fellowservant See also: Colossians 1:7; Matthew 18:33; Revelation 6:11.

ημων egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1GP

This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.

Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.

ος hos, hē G3739 "which" Rel-NSM

The word which is a pronoun used to ask for or identify something, as seen in John 5:11. It can also be used to describe a person or thing, such as in Mark 15:23. This word helps to clarify or specify what is being talked about.

Definition: ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). __I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. __II. As relat. pron., who, which, what, that; __1. agreeing in gender with its antecedent, but differently governed as to case: Mat.2:9, Luk.9:9, Act.20:18, Rom.2:29, al. mult. __2. In variation from the common construction; __(a) in gender, agreeing with a noun in apposition to the antecedent: Mrk.15:16, Gal.3:16, Eph.6:17, al.; constr. ad sensum: Jhn.6:9, Col.2:19, 1Ti.3:16, Rev.13:14, al.; __(b) in number, constr. ad sensum: Act.15:36, 2Pe.3:1; __(with) in case, by attraction to the case of the antecedent (Bl., §50, 2): Jhn.4:18, Act.3:21, Rom.15:18, 1Co.6:19, Eph.1:8, al. __3. The neut. ὅ with nouns of other gender and with phrases, which thing, which term: Mrk.3:17 12:42, Jhn.1:39, Col.3:14, al.; with a sentence, Act.2:32, Gal.2:10, 1Jn.2:8, al. __4. With ellipse of a demonstrative (οὗτος or ἐκεῖνος), before or after: before, Mat.20:23, Luk.7:43, Rom.10:14, al.; after, Mat.10:38, Mrk.9:40, Jhn.19:22, Rom.2:1 al. __5. Expressing purpose, end or cause: Mat.11:10 (who = that he may), Mrk.1:2, Heb.12:6 al. __6. C. prep, as periphrasis for conjc.: ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ( = ἀντὶ τούτων ὧν), because, Luk.1:20, al.; wherefore, Luk.12:3; ἐξ οὗ, since, for that, Rom.5:12; ἀφ᾽ οὗ, since (temporal), Luk.13:25; ἐξ οὗ, whence, Php.3:20; etc. __7. With particles: ὃς ἄν (ἐάν), see: ἄν, ἐάν; ὃς καί, Mrk.3:19, Jhn.21:20, Rom.5:2, al.; ὃς καὶ αὐτός, Mat.27:57. __8. Gen., οὗ, absol., as adv. (see: οὗ). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1230 NT verses. KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Peter 1:6.

εστιν eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

πιστος pistos G4103 "faithful" Adj-NSM

Being faithful or trustworthy is what this word means, as seen in Matthew 24:45 and 1 Corinthians 4:2. It describes someone who is loyal and dependable, like the apostles in the Bible.

Definition: πιστός, -ή, -όν (πείθω), [in LXX chiefly for אָמַן ;] __I. Pass., to be trusted or believed; __1. of persons, trusty, faithful : Mat.24:45 25:21, 23 Luk.12:42, Act.16:15, 1Co.4:2 4:17 7:25, Eph.1:1 6:21, Col.1:2, 7 4:7, 9, 1Ti.1:12, 2Ti.2:2, Heb.2:17 3:2, 5, 1Pe.5:12, Rev.2:13 19:11; of God, 1Co.1:9 10:13, 2Co.1:18, 1Th.5:24, 2Th.3:3, Heb.10:23 11:11, 2Ti.2:13, 1Jn.1:9, 1Pe.4:19; before ἐν, Luk.16:10-12 19:17, 1Ti.3:11; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.25:23; ἄχρι θανάτου, Rev.2:10; ὁ μάρτυς ὁ π., Rev.1:5; id. καὶ ἀληθινός, Rev.3:14. __2. Of things, trustworthy, reliable, sure: Act.13:34, 1Ti.1:15 3:1 4:9, 2Ti.2:11, Tit.1:9 3:8, Rev.21:5 22:6. __II. Act., believing, trusting, relying: Act.16:1, 2Co.6:15, Gal.3:9, 1Ti.4:10 5:16 6:2, Tit.1:6, Rev.17:14; pl., Act.10:45, 1Ti.4:3 4:12; opposite to ἄπιστος, Jhn.20:27; π. εἰς θεόν, 1Pe.1:21; π. ποιεῖν, III Jn 5. (On the difficulty of choosing in some cases between the active and the passive meaning, see Lft., Gal., 157.) † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 62 NT verses. KJV: believe(-ing, -r), faithful(-ly), sure, true See also: 1 Corinthians 1:9; Colossians 1:7; 1 Peter 4:19.

υπερ huper G5228 "above/for" Prep

Above or for something, often used to describe doing something for someone's benefit. In Matthew 5:44 and Romans 10:1, it means praying for or on behalf of others.

Definition: ὑπέρ (when following subst.—poët.—ὕπερ; so as adv., 2Co.11:23), prep. with genitive, accusative __I. C. genitive, primarily of place (rest or motion), over, above, across, beyond, hence, metaphorically, __1. for, on behalf of: of prayer, Mat.5:44, Act.8:24, Rom.10:1, Jas.5:16, al.; of laying down life, Jhn.10:11, Rom.9:3, al.; esp. of Christ giving his life for man's redemption, Mrk.14:24, Jhn.10:15, Act.21:13, Rom.5:6-8, al.; opposite to κατά, Mrk.9:40, Luk.9:50, Rom.8:31. __2. Causal, for, because of, for the sake of: with genitive of person(s), Act.5:41, Rom.1:5, Php.1:29, 2Co.12:10, al.; with genitive of thing(s), Jhn.11:4, Rom.15:8, 2Co.1:6, al. __3. = ἀντί (see M, Pr., 105), for, instead of, in the name of: 1Co.15:29, 2Co.5:15, 21 Gal.3:13, Col.1:7, Phm 13 (cf. Field, Notes, 225). __4. In more colourless sense, = περί (M, Pr., l.with), for, concerning, with regard to: Rom.9:27, 2Co.1:6 8:23 12:8, Php.1:7, 2Th.2:1, al. __II. C. accusative, primarily of place, over, beyond, across, hence, metaphorically, of measure or degree in excess, above, beyond, over, more than: Mat.10:24, 37 Luk.6:40, Act.26:13, 1Co.10:13, 2Co.1:8, Eph.1:22 3:20, Phm 16, al.; after comparatives = than (Jdg.11:25, al.), Luk.16:8, Heb.4:12. __III. As adv. (see supr. ad init.), more: ὕπερ ἐγώ, I more, 2Co.11:23; in compounds, see: ὑπεράνω, ὑπερλίαν, ὑπερπερισσῶς. __IV. In composition: over (ὑπεραίρω), beyond (ὑπερβάλλω), more (ὐπερνικάω), on behalf of (ὐπερεντυγχάνω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 142 NT verses. KJV: (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very See also: 1 Corinthians 1:13; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:21.

υμων su G4771 "you" Pron-2GP

This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.

Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.

διακονος diakonos G1249 "servant" Noun-NSM

A servant is someone who attends to others, like a waiter or a Christian teacher, as seen in Matthew 20:26. It is about putting others first and helping them.

Definition: διάκονος, -ου, ὁ, ἡ (derivation unknown), [in LXX for נַעַר, שָׁרַת pi.: Est.6:3, 5, א B Est.1:10 2:2, Pro.10:4, 4Ma.9:17 * ;] __1. in general, a servant, attendant, minister: Mat.20:26 22:13 23:11, Mrk.9:35 10:43, Jhn.2:5, 9, 1Co.3:5, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7; δ. θεοῦ, Rom.13:4, 2Co.6:4, 1Th.3:2; δ. Χριστοῦ, 2Co.11:23, Col.1:7, 1Ti.4:6; cf. ὁ δ. ὁ ἐμός, Jhn.12:26; δ. περιτομῆς, Rom.15:8; δ. καινῆς διαθήκης, 2Co.3:6; δ. δικαιοσύνης, 2Co.11:15; δ. [εὐαγγελίου], Eph.3:7, Col.1:23; δ. [ἐκκλησίας], Col.1:25. __2. As technical term for Church officer (so in pre-Christian times, see M, Th., I, 32), a deacon: Php.1:1, 1Ti.3:8, 12; fem. (cf. Eccl. διακονίσσα), Rom.16:1 (cf. 1Ti.3:11, and CGT, in l., also M, Th., l.with).† SYN.: δοῦλος, bondman; θεράπων, servant acting voluntarily; ὑπηρέτης, servant, attendant, by etymol. suggesting subordination. All these imply relation to a person, in distinction from which δ. represents rather the servant in relation to his work. Cf. also λειτουργός, a public servant, in which the idea of service to the community is prominent; οἰκέτης, a house servant. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: deacon, minister, servant See also: 1 Corinthians 3:5; Ephesians 6:21; Romans 13:4.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

χριστου Christos G5547 "Christ" Noun-GSM

Christ means anointed, referring to Jesus as the Messiah, as seen in Luke 2:11 and John 1:41.

Definition: χριστός (Χρ-), -ή, -όν (χρίω), [in LXX for מָשִׁיחַ and cogn. forms ;] __1. 1. as adj., __(a) of things, anointing, to be used as ointment (Æsch., Eur., al.; τ. ἔλαιον τὸ χ., Lev.21:10); __(b) of persons, anointed (ὁ ἰερεὺς ὁ χ., Lev.4:5; οἱ χ. ἰευρεῖς, 2Ma.1:10): ὁ χ. τοῦ κυρίου or Θεοῦ (1Ki.2:10, Psa.2:2, al.), of the Messiah (Aram., מְשִׁיחָא; cf. Dalman, Words, 289 ff.), Luk.2:11, 26 Jhn.1:41, Act.2:36 4:26, al. __2. As subst., ὁ Χριστός, the Messiah, the Christ: Mat.2:4, Mrk.8:29, Luk.2:11, Jhn.1:20, Act.2:31, Rom.7:4, al.; Ἰησοῦς, Mrk.1:1, Jhn.1:17, Act.2:38, al.; Χ. Ἰησοῦς, Mat.1:18, WH, mg. Act.5:42, Rom.6:3, al.; Χ. κύριος, Luk.2:11; Ἰησοῦς Χ. ὁ κύριος, Act.15:26, Rom.1:7, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 525 NT verses. KJV: Christ See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1.

Study Notes — Colossians 1:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Colossians 1:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Colossians 1:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Colossians 1:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Trapp's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Cambridge Bible on Colossians 1:7
Barnes' Notes on Colossians 1:7
Whedon's Commentary on Colossians 1:7
Sermons on Colossians 1:7

Context — Thanksgiving and Prayer

5the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.

7You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

8and who also informed us of your love in the Spirit. 9For 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,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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.
2	Philemon 1:23	Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,
3	Colossians 4:7	Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
4	Hebrews 2:17	For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
5	Philippians 2:25	But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
6	1 Corinthians 4:2	Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
7	2 Timothy 2:2	And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
8	Hebrews 3:2	He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
9	2 Corinthians 11:23	Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.
10	Numbers 12:7	But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.

Colossians 1:7 Summary

[This verse tells us that the Colossians learned about the gospel from Epaphras, who was a faithful servant of Christ. Epaphras taught them about the love and hope that comes from God, as mentioned in Colossians 1:5, and this message is the same one that is changing lives all around the world, as seen in Colossians 1:6. Just like the Colossians, we can learn about God's love and hope from faithful servants like Epaphras, and we can also share this message with others, just like Epaphras did, and as encouraged in Matthew 28:19-20. By sharing the gospel, we can help spread God's love and hope to those around us, and see the fruit of the gospel growing in our own lives and in the lives of others.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Epaphras and why is he important in the book of Colossians?

Epaphras is a faithful minister of Christ who served the Colossian church, and he is important because he was the one who taught the Colossians the gospel, as mentioned in Colossians 1:7, and also informed the apostle Paul about the church's love in the Spirit, as seen in Colossians 1:8.

What does it mean to be a 'faithful minister of Christ'?

Being a faithful minister of Christ means serving Him wholeheartedly and accurately sharing His message with others, as Epaphras did, and as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.

How did the Colossians learn about the gospel?

The Colossians learned about the gospel from Epaphras, who taught them the word of truth, as mentioned in Colossians 1:5-7, and this gospel message is the same one that is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, as stated in Colossians 1:6.

What is the significance of Epaphras being called a 'beloved fellow servant'?

Epaphras being called a 'beloved fellow servant' highlights his close relationship with the apostle Paul and emphasizes the importance of unity and fellowship among believers, as seen in other scriptures like Philippians 2:22 and Philemon 1:1-2.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean to you that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing in your life, and how can you nurture this growth?
How can you, like Epaphras, faithfully serve Christ and share His message with others?
What does it mean to be a 'faithful minister of Christ', and how can you apply this concept to your own life and relationships?
In what ways can you demonstrate your love for others in the Spirit, as mentioned in Colossians 1:8?

Gill's Exposition on Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras,.... To know the grace of God, believe the truth of the Gospel, and to own and profess it sincerely.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; As ye also learned. "Also" is omitted in 'Aleph (') A B C Delta G f g, Vulgate.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras: to maintain the truth, it did much concern them to have a good opinion of him, who was an eminent instrument in communicating it to them, and therefore Paul doth here very opportunely commend Epaphras, in opposition to those false teachers, who likely might insinuate somewhat to his disparagement. Our dear fellow servant; the respect they bare, and relation he stood in to them, being dearly beloved of him for his sincerity in promulgating the gospel; and being engaged with them in the service of the same Master, . Who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; his office, which he discharged with fidelity and affection unto them. He did with all honesty and integrity, as became one intrusted by his Master Christ, discharge what was incumbent on him for their good, ,2 Eph 4:12 .

Trapp's Commentary on Colossians 1:7

7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Ver. 7. Who is for you a faithful minister] Epaphras was their city preacher; whom therefore the apostle here so highly commendeth. Luther is much blamed by his best friends for opposing and disparaging Carolostadius among his own charge at Orlamund, A.D. 1524. (Scultet. Annul.) A faithful minister should have all good respect, before his own people especially.

Ellicott's Commentary on Colossians 1:7

(7) Ye also learned of Epaphras.—Of Epaphras we know nothing, except what we gather from this passage, and from Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23. The name is a shortened form of Epaphroditus, but it is most unlikely that he is the same as the Epaphroditus of Php 2:25; Philippians 4:18. Being, it seems, a native of Colossæ itself, he was apparently its first evangelist, and is afterwards described as feeling some responsibility for it and its neighbouring cities, Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13). His work could not have been transient, for under him the Colossians are said not only to have “heard,” but also to have “known” (come to know perfectly) “the grace of God.” St. Paul here gives emphatic testimony to his faithfulness, and to his preaching to them “in truth.” That he was, then or afterwards. Bishop of Colossæ is probably a mere guess of tradition. But he may have had some such charge as that which was afterwards more formally committed to Timothy at Ephesus, and Titus in Crete. At this time, however, he remained with St. Paul (Colossians 4:12-13), and apparently shared his captivity, for he is called (in Philemon 1:23) his “fellow-prisoner.” Who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.—(1) “For you” is, properly, on your behalf. This has been supposed to mean that Epaphras, like his Philippian namesake, had been a representative of the Colossian Church, in ministry to the Apostle; but this is hardly compatible with the entire absence of any personal reference in the sentence. Contrast Philemon 1:13, “that on thy behalf he might minister to me.” If this reading, therefore, is to stand, “on your behalf” must be taken to signify generally “for your benefit,” which is doubtless the meaning of our version. (2) But there is considerable, perhaps preponderating, MS. authority for the reading “on our behalf,” that is, in our stead. This makes Epaphras a representative, perhaps an actual messenger, of St. Paul, for the conversion of the church at Colossæ; sent probably at the time when the Apostle had his head-quarters at Ephesus, and when “all that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10). This interpretation not only gives greater force to this passage, but explains also the attitude of authority here assumed by St. Paul toward a church which he had not seen, differing so markedly from the tone of his Epistle to the Romans in a like case.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Colossians 1:7

Verse 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras - who is for you] Who this Epaphras was we cannot tell; only it is likely that he was a Colossian, and became, by the call and grace of Christ, a deacon of this Church, faithfully labouring with the apostle, to promote its best interests. Some think that he is the same with Epaphroditus, Epaphras being a contraction of that name, as Demas is of Demetrius; and it is remarkable that one of the Slavonic versions has Epaphroditus in this place. That he was a Colossian is evident from Colossians 4:12: Epaphras, who is one of you, οεξυμων. some think that he was the first who preached the Gospel among this people, and hence called an apostle. He was raised up among themselves to be their minister in the absence of the apostle, and he showed himself to be worthy of this calling by a faithful discharge of his ministry, and by labouring fervently for them all, and pressing them forward, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Cambridge Bible on Colossians 1:7

7. as ye also learned] In the word “as” he refers to the “truth” just spoken of (Lightfoot). So, and not otherwise, had Epaphras phrased his message.The word rendered “also” should certainly be omitted, on documentary evidence. As it stands, it simply emphasizes the fact; “as you actually learned from Epaphras.” But its omission leaves the English reader less likely to misunderstand the sentence, as if it implied some other informant of the Colossians, besides Epaphras.Epaphras] Named also below, Colossians 4:12, and Philemon 1:23. The name is an abbreviation of Epaphroditus, and it has been guessed that the Epaphroditus of Php 2:25; Philippians 4:18, and this Epaphras, are the same person. But both name-forms were very common at the time; and nothing but the name tends to an identification in this case, unless indeed the warm and devoted Christian character indicated in both Philippians 2 and Colossians 4 does so. And this happily was not so rare in the Church as to make an argument.From the notices in this Epistle and in Philemon we gather that he was a Colossian by birth, or at least by abode; that he had been the first, or at least chief, evangelist of Colossæ (see further, Introd., p. 21), and that he was now at Rome, arrived from Asia, and was St Paul’s “fellow-prisoner of war;” i.e. either actually imprisoned with him on some charge connected with the Gospel, or so incessantly with him in his captivity as practically to share it. The latter is more probable.—For his character, see further, on Colossians 4:12.—Tradition makes Epaphras first bishop of Colossæ, and a martyr there.fellowservant] Strictly, fellow-bondservant, fellow-slave. He uses the word again, of Tychicus, Colossians 4:7, and not elsewhere. It occurs Revelation 6:11; Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:9; and, of non-spiritual servitude, Matthew 18:28-33; Matthew 24:49.—To the Christian, in a life of humble surrender to his Lord, the fact of his own holy bondservice is inexpressibly dear; and so the thought of his association in it with others is an endearing and uniting thought.for you] Another reading is for us, on our behalf (so R.V.). For this there is weighty documentary evidence, though it cannot be called overwhelming. It is however supported internally by the evidence in the context that Epaphras was, so to speak, vice-evangelist “for” St Paul at Colossæ.minister] Greek, diâconos; so Ephesians 6:21, and below, Colossians 1:23; Colossians 1:25, Colossians 4:7. The word essentially implies activity and subordination. In Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-12; the word denotes holders of a subordinate and active office in the organized Christian ministry (and cp. Romans 16:1). See our notes on Philippians 1:1, and Appendix C. to that Epistle. But such a reference here is unlikely, if only because of the wording, “diaconos of Christ.” Epaphras, whatever his church-office, was the loving worker under Christ for Paul and Colossæ. For such a use of the word cp. John 12:26; 1 Corinthians 3:5 (a close parallel); 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.—The Latin Versions render, minister.

Barnes' Notes on Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras - Epaphras was then with Paul. Philemon 1:23. He had probably been sent to him by the church at Colossae to consult him in reference to some matters pertaining to the church there.

Whedon's Commentary on Colossians 1:7

7. Epaphras—A Colossian by birth, and the founder of that Church. This would be doubtful if the word also were genuine. He may have met the apostle at Ephesus, been converted, and sent home to evangelize the city.

Sermons on Colossians 1:7

	Sermon	Description
	Lesser Known Characters 03 Epaphras-Man of Prayer by Joseph Balsan	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of standing in one's place and being committed to prayer. He uses the story of Gideon and his army to illustrate this point. G
	Prevailing Prayer by Peter Brandon	Peter Brandon emphasizes the significance of prevailing prayer, drawing from Colossians 4:12, where Epaphras is described as fervently laboring in prayer for the believers. He illu
	Holiness: What It Is Not, and What It Is by Samuel Logan Brengle	Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes that holiness is often misunderstood; it is not a constant state of joy, freedom from temptation, infirmities, or afflictions. Instead, holiness is
	The Cross and the Tongue by Jessie Penn-Lewis	Jessie Penn-Lewis emphasizes the critical relationship between our words and our spiritual maturity, particularly in the context of speaking about those who oppose the Cross of Chr
	The Devil's Opposition to Prayer by F.J. Perryman	F.J. Perryman preaches about the challenges and importance of prayer, emphasizing the spiritual battle that occurs when we engage in prayer. The difficulty in praying can be attrib
	Prayer and Fervency by E.M. Bounds	E.M. Bounds emphasizes the necessity of fervency in prayer, arguing that without it, prayer is lifeless and ineffective. He illustrates that true prayer must be filled with heart,
	Prayer and Devotion United by E.M. Bounds	E.M. Bounds emphasizes the critical need for spiritual influence in ministry, highlighting that true power comes from a deep devotion to God through prayer. He argues that modern m