Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you,. 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.

'EPAPHRAS' -(EP uh frus).

'WHO IS ONE OF YOU' -(Colossians 4:9).. native or long-time resident of Colossae, and. member of the Church here. He served as the contact man between this congregation and Paul (Colossians 1:7). 'He was either. native of Colossae or had settled there.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 546)

'A SERVANT OF CHRIST JESUS' -Throughout this letter Paul has been continually endorsing the "soundness" of this man and the gospel that he had been preaching (Colossians 1:5-7; Colossians 2:2-7).

'ALWAYS STRIVING' -75. agonizomai ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee; from 73; to struggle, literally (to compete for. prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something): -fight, labor fervently, strive.

-'always most earnest' (TCNT); 'always wrestling' (Wey); 'He prays hard for you all the time' (NEB).

-'denotes patient persistence, this word the intense energy of prevailing prayer' (P.P. Comm. p. 213) 'indicating intense mental concentration and earnest spiritual effort.' (Erdman p. 118)

'FOR YOU IN HIS PRAYERS' -(Romans 15:30)

Points to Note:

1. Epaphras, was certainly "watchful" in his prayers (Colossians 4:2).

2. Although, he was separated from them, they were never out of his mind. He had worked with them, he knew from first hand experience the dangers that threatened them. He knew the current strength's and weaknesses of the various members.

3. Eadie notes, 'Love so pure and spiritual as that of Epaphras will produce an agony of earnestness. There will be no listless or fitful asking--but. mighty and continual wrestling of heart.' (p. 287)

'THAT YE MAY' -Here is what Epaphras continually prayed for.

'STAND' -2476. histemi his'-tay-mee;. prolonged form of. primary stao stah'-o (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively): -abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare 5087.

'PERFECT' -5046. teleios tel'-i-os; from 5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with 3588) completeness: -of full age, man, perfect.

O'Brien notes, 'The reference to perfection..touches on one of the key issues at Colossae in which members of the congregation were encouraged by the false teachers to seek maturity or perfection through their philosophy (Colossians 2:8) with its ascetic practices, visionary experiences and special revelations, rather than through Christ.' (p. 253)

Note that Epaphras prayed for the same thing that Paul desired for these Christians (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 2:2).

-'praying that you may stand firm, with. matured faith' (TCNT)

'AND FULLY ASSURED' -'fully convinced and certain' (O'Brien p. 254)

'IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD' -

Points to Note:

1. Epaphras knew what would keep these Christians from falling for the persuasive false teachings around them: (1) Complete conviction that the will of God is right in all things (Psalms 119:128; 160). (2) That an objective standard of truth exists-rather than. subjective standard-or an ever changing standard. (3) That all truth is found in the teachings of the apostles (John 16:13), i.e. the Bible is right about everything it teaches.

2. Notice how Epaphras says nothing about 'following your heart..or that the Lord will just guide you into your own understanding of the truth.' Carefully note that inspired writers didn't use the subjective terminology that is so popular in denominational circles.

3. Again, the advocates of the New Hermeneutic find themselves in hot water. Epaphras believed that what Paul wrote was the will of God. He believed that the letters to the churches were authoritative and binding. He believed that Paul was giving them God's truth.

4. Also note that doing or believing "some" of God's will isn't enough.

5. 'He would have them stand firm against all the currents of false belief which threaten to bear them away from Christ.'(Erdman p. 118)