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Read the Bible

Literal Standard Version

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras 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,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Epaphras;   Intercession;   Minister, Christian;   Perfection;   Thompson Chain Reference - Church;   Epaphras;   Prayer;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Prayer, Intercessory;   Zeal;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Colosse;   Epaphras;   Hierapolis;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Colossians, letter to the;   Gifts of the spirit;   Laodicea;   Pastor;   Paul;   Philemon;   Prayer;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Slave, Slavery;   Will of God;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Church;   Quakers;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Agony;   Colossae;   Epaphras;   Hierapolis;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Colosse;   Epaphras;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Asia Minor, Cities of;   Colossians;   Disciples;   Greeting;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Colossae;   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Conscience;   Epaphras;   Perfection;   Prayer;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Assurance;   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Epaphras ;   Games;   Laodicea;   Lord;   Luke (2);   Name ;   Onesimus ;   Perfect Perfection;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Complete;   Epaphras ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Colossians;   Luke;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ep'aphras;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Perfect;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Colossae;   Colossians, Epistle to the;   Complete;   Epaphras;   Fervent;   Games;   Perfect;   Servant;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for July 23;  

Parallel Translations

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.
King James Version (1611)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a seruant of Christ, saluteth you, alwaies labouring feruently for you in praiers, that ye may stand perfect, and complete in all the will of God.
King James Version
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.
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.
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.
New Century Version
Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you.
New American Standard Bible (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.
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.
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.
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God's will.
Darby Translation
Epaphras, who is [one] of you, [the] bondman of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always combating earnestly for you in prayers, to the end that ye may stand perfect and complete in all [the] will of God.
Easy-to-Read Version
Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Epaphras the seruant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and alwayes striueth for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.
George Lamsa Translation
Ep''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.
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.
Lexham English Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you, greets you, a slave of Christ always struggling on behalf of you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Literal Translation
Epaphras greets you, he of you, a slave of Christ, always striving for you in prayers, that you may stand full-grown and being complete in every 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.
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.
Bible in Basic English
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.
Hebrew Names Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Messiah, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
International Standard Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servantslave
">[fn] of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand maturecomplete">[fn] and completely convinced of the entire will of God.Matthew 5:48; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:7; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Epaphra, who is of you, asketh for your peace; a servant of the Meshiha, who is always labouring on your behalf in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of Aloha.
Murdock Translation
Epaphras saluteth you, who is from among you, a servant of the Messiah, always laboring for you in prayer, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the good pleasure of God.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Epaphras which is of you, a seruaunt of Christe, saluteth you, alwayes labouryng feruently for you in prayers, that ye may stande perfect and fylled in all the wyll of God.
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.
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.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayer, that ye may stand, perfect and filled, with all the will of God.
Weymouth's 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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Epafras, that is of you, the seruaunt of Jhesu Crist, gretith you wel; euere bisi for you in preyeris, that ye stonde perfit and ful in al the wille of God.
Update Bible Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, salutes you, 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.
New English Translation
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 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 [fn] in all the will of God.
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.
New Life Bible
Epaphras says hello. He is one of your people and a servant of Jesus Christ. As he prays for you, he asks God to help you to be strong and to make you perfect. He prays that you will know what God wants you to do in all things.
New Revised Standard
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.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Epaphras who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, - at all times, contending in your behalf in his prayers, that ye may be caused to stand complete and fully assured in everything willed by God;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Epaphras 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.
Revised Standard Version
Ep'aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Epaphras the servaut of Christ which is one of you saluteth you and all wayes laboreth fervently for you in prayers that ye maye stonde perfect and full in all that is 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,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Epaphras a seruaunt of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, & allwaye laboureth feruently for you in prayers, yt ye maye stonde perfecte and full, in all that is the wil of God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
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,
THE MESSAGE
Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He's been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you'll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I've watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Epaphras, one of your own cowboys and a friend to us, sends greetings as well. He's constantly praying for y'all to become better and better cowboys, strong and perfect in Christ. He asks God to fill y'all with confidence in your ride with the Lord.

Contextual Overview

7Tychicus will make known to you all the things concerning me—the beloved brother, and faithful servant, and fellow-servant in the LORD— 8whom I sent to you for this very thing, that he might know the things concerning you, and might comfort your hearts, 9with Onesimus the faithful and beloved brother, who is of you; they will make known to you all things that [are] here. 10Aristarchus greets you, my fellow-captive, and Marcus, the nephew of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commands—if he may come to you, receive him), 11and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of circumcision: these [are the] only fellow-workers for the Kingdom of God who become a comfort to me. 12Epaphras 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,13for I testify to him that he has much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14Lucas greets you, the beloved physician, and Demas; 15those in Laodicea greet you—brothers, and Nymphas, and the assembly in his house; 16and when the letter may be read with you, cause that it may also be read in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and the [letter] from Laodicea that you also may read;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Epaphras: Colossians 1:7, Philemon 1:23

a servant: John 12:26, Galatians 1:10, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1

always: Colossians 4:2, Luke 22:44, Galatians 4:19, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:16

labouring: or, striving, Colossians 2:1-23

that: Colossians 4:1, Romans 15:30, see note on Colossians 1:9, Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 14:20,*Gr: 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 5:14,*Gr: Hebrews 6:1, Jude 1:24

complete: or, filled, Romans 15:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:24 - wrestled Job 36:4 - perfect Matthew 7:21 - that Luke 10:2 - the labourers Luke 11:8 - because of Luke 18:1 - that Acts 6:4 - prayer Romans 6:22 - become Romans 12:2 - good Romans 12:11 - fervent Romans 12:12 - continuing Romans 16:12 - labour 1 Corinthians 7:22 - is Christ's 1 Corinthians 16:13 - stand 2 Corinthians 13:9 - even Ephesians 4:1 - walk Ephesians 6:6 - doing Ephesians 6:13 - to stand Philippians 3:15 - as Philippians 4:1 - so Colossians 1:29 - labour Colossians 4:7 - a beloved 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - affectionately 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - our brother 1 Thessalonians 3:10 - might perfect 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - this Hebrews 10:36 - after Hebrews 13:21 - Make James 1:4 - perfect and James 3:2 - a perfect 1 Peter 4:2 - the will 1 John 2:17 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
And it comes to pass at the end of days that Cain brings from the fruit of the ground a present to YHWH;
Genesis 4:4
and Abel, he has brought, he also, from the female firstlings of his flock, and from their fat ones; and YHWH looks to Abel and to his present,
Genesis 4:14
behold, You have driven me today from off the face of the ground, and from Your face I am hid; and I have been a wanderer, even a trembling one, in the earth, and it has been—everyone finding me will slay me."
Genesis 4:17
and Cain knows his wife, and she conceives, and bears Enoch; and he is building a city, and he calls the name of the city, according to the name of his son—Enoch.
Genesis 4:18
And born to Enoch is Irad; and Irad has begotten Mehujael; and Mehujael has begotten Methusael; and Methusael has begotten Lamech.
Genesis 4:23
And Lamech says to his wives: "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, give ear [to] my saying: For I have slain a man for my wound, || Even a young man for my hurt;
Genesis 4:24
For sevenfold is required for Cain, || And for Lamech seventy-sevenfold."
Leviticus 26:20
and your strength has been consumed in vain, and your land does not give her produce, and the tree of the land does not give its fruit.
Leviticus 26:36
And those who are left of you—I have also brought a faintness into their heart in the lands of their enemies, and the sound of a leaf driven away has pursued them, and they have fled [as in] flight from a sword—and they have fallen, and there is none pursuing.
Psalms 109:10
And his sons wander continually, || Indeed, they have begged, || And have sought out of their dry places.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Epaphras, who is one of you,.... A native of Colosse, and one of their faithful ministers; see Colossians 1:7.

A servant of Christ; not merely in the same sense as every believer is, but as he was a preacher of the Gospel, in which he faithfully served his Lord and master, Christ:

saluteth you; sends his Christian respects to you, for whom he bore a sincere love and hearty affection, as appears by what follows:

always labouring fervently for you in prayers; in all his prayers, which were many and frequent, he never forgot his dear flock at Colosse, of which he was pastor, but strove with God for them, even to an agony, as the word signifies; he wrestled with the Lord as Jacob did, nor, as he, would he let him go without a blessing for this church; he was incessant, importunate, and fervent in prayer for them: and what he prayed in particular for them was,

that ye may stand perfect; in Christ Jesus their head, and in his spotless righteousness; see Colossians 1:28 and continue believing in him, and looking to him for righteousness and strength, in whom all the fulness, the perfection of grace dwells; and where the saints only are, and can continue to be perfect:

and complete in all the will of God; or "be filled" in it, have a perfect knowledge of the revealed will of God, both as to doctrine and practice, and be enabled to act according to it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Epaphras - Notes, Colossians 1:7.

Always laboring fervently for you in prayers - Margin, “or striving.” Greek: “agonizing.” The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare.

That ye may stand perfect and complete - Margin, as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the mixture of philosophy and error, and completely perform the will of God in every respect. This is the expression of a pious wish in regard to them, without any affirmation that any had been absolutely perfect, or that they would be perfect in this world. It is, however, a command of God that we should be perfect (see Matthew 5:48), and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to anyone that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:9.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. Epaphras, who is one of you — A native of some part of Phrygia, and probably of Colosse itself.

A servant of Christ — A minister of the Gospel.

Labouring fervently for you — αγωνιζομενος. Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently.

That ye may stand perfect and complete — ινα στητε τελειοι και πεπληρμενοι. That ye may stand firm, perfectly instructed, and fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught you as the revealed will of God: this I believe to be the meaning of the apostle.

Instead of πεπληρωμενοι, complete or filled up, almost all the MSS. of the Alexandrian rescension, which are considered the most authentic and correct, have πεπληροφορημενοι, that ye may be fully persuaded. The word πληροφορια signifies such a complete persuasion of the certainty of a thing, as leaves the mind which has it neither room nor inclination to doubt; and πληροφορεω, the verb, has the same meaning, viz., to be thus persuaded, or to persuade thus, by demonstrative argumentation and exhibition of unquestionable facts.

This is such a persuasion as the Spirit of God, by means of the Gospel, gives to every sincere and faithful man; and from which arises the solid happiness of the genuine Christian. They who argue against it, prove, at least, that they have not got it.


 
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