Colossians 4:13 - Exposition

For I hear witness to him that he hath much labour ( πὸνον for ζῆλον , Revised Text) for you ( Colossians 1:29 ; Colossians 2:1 ; Philippians 2:19-23 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 , 1 Thessalonians 5:13 ; 1 Timothy 5:17 ; 1 Corinthians 16:15 , 1 Corinthians 16:16 ). πόνος occurs in the New Testament besides only in Revelation 16:10 , Revelation 16:11 and Revelation 21:4 , where it means "pain;" in classical Greek it implies "painful, distressful exertion" (comp. κοπιῶ , Colossians 1:29 ). It indicates the deep anxiety of Epaphras for this beloved and endangered Church. There is nothing here to point to "outward toil" (Lightfoot), any more than in Colossians 2:1 . The apostle loves to commend his fellow labourers ( Colossians 1:7 ; Philippians 2:20-22 , Philippians 2:25 , Philippians 2:26 ; 2 Corinthians 8:16-23 ). And for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis ( Colossians 2:15-17 ; Colossians 2:1 ). The Church in Hierapolis is added to that of Laodicea, singled out in Colossians 2:1 as a special object of the apostle's concern (on these cities, see Introduction, § 1). Whether Epaphras were the official head of these Churches or not, he could not but be deeply concerned in their welfare. Colossians 2:17 indicates the existence of a personal link between the Churches of Colossus and of Laodicea.