Who Was Epaphras, and Why Should We Be Like Him?
Fellow Christians who encourage us always stand out in our minds. We know when we have a problem, we can depend upon these saints to pray and stand in faith with us. These people grow to become part of our lives as more than friends. They are our spiritual family.
The Apostle Paul often commended several helpers in his communications to the Asian churches. One exceptional believer is Epaphras.
Who was Epaphras? From Paul’s account, Epaphras was a person who was dedicated and faithful to the cause of Christ. His devotion to Paul is evident in the way Paul describes him.
There are only three verses in the New Testament that refer to Epaphras, but from these we can deduce several characteristics about this man. The two Scriptural references of Epaphras would indicate that he visited his friend frequently while Paul was in prison.
Paul states in his letter to the Colossians that Epaphras is “one of you,” so this would tell us Epaphras was a citizen of Colosse. He knew the people to whom this letter was addressed. Paul called him a fellow servant, or as some translations state, a bondservant of Christ.
The statement in Colossians 1:6-9 may mean that Paul had never visited Colosse. He mentions hearing about the faith of those in this city from what Epaphras has told him, rather than finding it out by being in their presence.
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. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:12-13 NIV)
What Are the Qualities That Made Epaphras Stand Out to Paul?
He Wrestled in Prayer. According to Strong’s G75, wrestling here refers to contend with an adversary, to fight, labor fervently, strive. Epaphras didn’t just pray rote prayers that had no meaning. He fought in the spirit through intercession. His unselfish prayers battled strongholds and asked that those he prayed for would stand strong and grow in maturity.
He Worked Hard. Paul’s commendation of Epaphras doesn’t tell us how this envoy worked. This mention in the letter would indicate Epaphras did more than pray. He put his faith into action to bring about good to someone else.
He Always Sent Greetings. His greetings would indicate his thoughts were on others. He wanted them to know he cared about their welfare and hoped they were living in the grace and faith of the gospel. He greeted Philemon as well as those in the Colossians letter.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. (Philemon 1:23)
He Served Those in Other Cities. We don’t have letters to Laodicea and Hierapolis, but we know by the Scripture in Colossians, that Epaphras helped Paul care for those who lived in other places as well. These cities were about eight and ten miles from Colosse respectively.
Easy travel was not available to those in the first century as they wore out sandals walking from town to town. For Paul to say that Epaphras also worked hard for those in Hierapolis and Laodicea would indicate the apostle’s comrade in the gospel also ministered elsewhere, despite the time and hardship this would place on him. His focus was on all Christians, not just those where he lived.
How Can We Be Like Epaphras?
We Can Pray for Others
We can wrestle in prayer the way Epaphras did. Praying in the Spirit can mean praying in a prayer language through the Holy Spirit. This appeal to the Father helps us pray without involving our own thoughts or emotions. Spiritual warfare can keep us alert to the distress of others and to possibly be part of the answer they seek.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18)
We Can Work Hard
With the correct mindset we can use our spiritual gifts to bless the body of Christ. When we are diligent in our work with the correct motives, we can be joyful, not burned out. The work we do is for the Lord, not to draw attention to ourselves.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
We Can Remember to Greet and Encourage Fellow Believers
As we pledge to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Lord, it’s important that we don’t stop there. We can ask them for ways to help. Are they sick? We can visit, pray for them, and make sure they have what they need. Do they require help with shopping, childcare, or yard work? We can pitch in to take a load off their minds.
While prayer is important, these words may have no meaning if we don’t put them into action. We can carry their burdens by obeying James 2:15-17, and we can continue to remember them if their difficulties continue for a period of time. We can make sure they know they are not forgotten.
We need to also remember those in full or part-time ministry. We don’t always know the stress that can accompany ministerial assignments. What we see during worship times are only a small part of what these ambassadors do for the congregations they serve.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
We Can Help Those in Other Areas
Millions of people on Earth today are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Numerous nations suffer from poverty and famine.
Jesus gave a command to his disciples to be witnesses of Him to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:7). Whether we go ourselves, support missionaries, or contribute to organizations that provide supplies and relief, we can fulfill this instruction. As Epaphras ministered to the citizens of Hierapolis and Laodicea, we can be emissaries to the farthest part of the earth.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
Planting Seeds That Go Around the World
The city of Colosse was leveled by an earthquake shortly after Paul’s letter was written but was rebuilt and continued to prosper for a time. Many of the residents of Colosse that Epaphras supported could have died in this tragedy. The seeds planted by faithful servants of God would have shown these citizens the way to eternal life.
We remember Epaphras through the legacy of two Scriptures. He is among many examples in the Bible of dedication to the gospel. This man can inspire us to fulfill the Lord’s commands to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15-16).
Efforts to excavate Colosse began in 2022, as well as in Hierapolis and Laodicea. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if letters to these churches were found preserved and unearthed? Maybe even references to Epaphras will be discovered.
We can find many creative ways to plant seeds of God’s Word with our access to technology today. God can use all of us to be witnesses to those around us and those far away. We can be an Epaphras to whoever the Lord puts in our path.
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Allkindza
Originally published June 19, 2025.
