Colossians 1:7

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 youactually learned from Epaphras." But its omission leaves the English reader less likely to misunderstand the sentence, as if it implied some otherinformant of the Colossians, besidesEpaphras.

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 Philippians 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 nametends 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 Christfor 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.