Epaphras . See Colossians 1:7 . servant. Greek doulos. App-190 . Christ . The texts add "Jesus" labouring fervently = striving, Colossians 1:29 . for . Greek huper. App-104 . prayers . Greek proseuche. App-134 . perfect . Greek. teleios, App-125 . complete . Greek. pteroo. App-126 . The texts read "plerophoreo", as in Romans 4:21 . will . Greek. thelena. App-102 .:1 read more
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. For I bear him witness that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.EPAPHRASAll of the comment on these two verses, almost, pertains to this distinguished worker who appears to have been a preacher and teacher for all three towns in the tri-cities mentioned here. Lockyer called... read more
12. Christ—The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently—As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Colossians 1:29 and Colossians 1:29- :), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest." in prayers—Translate as Greek, "in his prayers." complete—The oldest manuscripts read, "fully assured." It is translated, "fully persuaded," Romans 4:21; Romans 14:5. In the expression "perfect," he refers to what he has already said, Colossians 1:28; Colossians 2:2;... read more
V. CONCLUSION 4:7-18Paul concluded this epistle with personal information and instructions. He did this to bond his readers more tightly to the body of Christ from which they were in danger of separating due to the influence of the false teachers. read more
B. Greetings from Paul’s companions 4:10-14Paul mentioned six individuals, five of whom he also named in Philemon. read more
The following three fellow-workers had Gentile backgrounds. Epaphras had evidently been instrumental in the founding of the church at Colosse (Colossians 1:7). His concern for the Colossians is clear from his zealous prayers for their maturity and their full perception of God’s complete will for them. These concerns are the burden of this epistle. Epaphras’ fervent agonizing in prayer (cf. Luke 22:44) reflects his understanding that God would provide illumination and continued growth in... read more
4:12 complete (e-30) Or, possibly, 'fully assured,' as ch. 2.2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5 ; Hebrews 6:11 ; Hebrews 10:22 . will (f-34) Lit. 'in every will of God,' everything that is such. read more
Exhortation and Greeting2-6. Exhortation to prayer and wisdom in dealing with heathen.6. Grace, not divine grace, but graciousness. Their speech must be winning and wise, seasoned with salt.7-18. Commendation of bearers of the letter, and salutations.8. I have sent] i.e. I am (now) sending.He might know your estate] RV ’that ye may know our estate.’10. Sister’s son] RV ’cousin.’ They must have received these commands at an earlier time. 14. From this v., compared with Colossians 4:11, it is... read more
[7.Conclusion of the Epistle.(1)FINAL EXHORTATION to prayer (especially for St. Paul himself), and to wisdom towards those without, both in deed and in word (Colossians 4:2-6).(2)COMMENDATION of Tychicus and Onesimus (Colossians 4:7-9).(3)SALUTATION from Aristarchus, Marcus, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas (Colossians 4:10-14).(4)CHARGE to this Church to exchange greetings and letters with the Laodicean Church, and special charge to Archippus (Colossians 4:15-17).(5)FINAL SALUTATION (Colossians... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18
4:7-18 PERSONAL NEWSTychicus, who carried Paul’s letter to Colossae, had the additional duty of telling the church how Paul was faring in his imprisonment. One person who accompanied Tychicus was Onesimus, a slave from Colossae who had escaped to Rome, met Paul and become a Christian. Paul wanted the Colossians to welcome Onesimus as part of the church (7-9). (Paul also wanted Onesimus’s master, Philemon, to welcome him home and forgive him; Philemon 1:10-20.)With Paul during his imprisonment... read more