Colossians 1 · Verse 7

Colossians 1:7

As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

Colossians 1:7, King James Version

Colossians 1:7 in other translations

BSB	You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
WEB	even as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf,
ASV	even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
YLT	as ye also learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful ministrant of the Christ,
DARBY	even as ye learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-bondman, who is a faithful minister of Christ for you,
BBE	As it was given to you by Epaphras, our well-loved helper, who is a true servant of Christ for us,
Webster	As ye also learned from Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

What does Colossians 1:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. As ye also learned--"Also" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The insertion implied that those inserting it thought that Paul had preached the Gospel to the Colossians as well as Epaphras, Whereas the omission in the oldest manuscripts implies that Epaphras alone was the founder of the Church at Colosse. of--"from Epaphras." dear--Greek, "beloved." fellow servant--namely, of Christ. In Phm 23 he calls him "my fellow prisoner." It is possible that Epaphras may have been apprehended for his zealous labors in Asia Minor; but more probable that Paul gave him the title; as his faithful companion in his imprisonment (compare Note, see on Col 4:10, as to Meyer's conjecture). who is for you, &c.--Translate, "who is faithful in your behalf as a minister of Christ"; hinting that he is one not to be set aside for the new and erroneous teachers (Col 2:1-23). Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "for (or 'in behalf of') US." Vulgate, however, with one of the oldest manuscripts, supports English Version.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras. Epaphras was then with Paul, Phm 1:23. He had probably been sent to him by the church at Colosse to consult him in reference to some matters pertaining to the church there. It is evident from this, that Epaphras was a minister of the church at Colosse, though there is no evidence, as has been often supposed, that he was the founder of the church. The apostle here says, that they had learned from Epaphras the true nature of the gospel; and he designs undoubtedly to confirm what he had taught them, in opposition to the teachings of errorists. See the Introduction, 4. He had doubtless conferred with Epaphras respecting the doctrines which he had taught there.

Our dear fellow-servant.This shows that Paul had contracted a strong friendship for Epaphras. There is no reason to believe that he had known him before, but his acquaintance with him now had served to attach him strongly to him. It is possible, as has been conjectured, (see the Introduction,) that there was a party in the church at Colosse opposed to Epaphras and to the doctrines which he preached; and if this were so, Paul's strong expression of attachment for him would do much to silence the opposition.

Who is for you a faithful minister of Christ. "For you," when he is with you, and in managing your interests here.

(l) "learned of Epaphras" Phm 1:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras - who is for you - Who this Epaphras was we cannot tell; only it is likely that he was a Colossian, and became, by the call and grace of Christ, a deacon of this Church, faithfully labouring with the apostle, to promote its best interests. Some think that he is the same with Epaphroditus, Epaphras being a contraction of that name, as Demas is of Demetrius; and it is remarkable that one of the Slavonic versions has Epaphroditus in this place. That he was a Colossian is evident from Col 4:12 : Epaphras, who is one of you, ὁ εξ ὑμων· some think that he was the first who preached the Gospel among this people, and hence called an apostle. He was raised up among themselves to be their minister in the absence of the apostle, and he showed himself to be worthy of this calling by a faithful discharge of his ministry, and by labouring fervently for them all, and pressing them forward, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 1:1-8

All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy…

Read the full comment on Colossians 1:1-8 →

Colossians 1:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καθὼςkathōseven asG2531

ἐμάθετεematheteyou learnedG3129

ἀπὸapofromG575

ἘπαφρᾶEpaphraEpaphrasG1889

τοῦtoutheG3588

ἀγαπητοῦagapētoubelovedG27

συνδούλουsundouloufellow bond-servantG4889

ἡμῶν,hēmōnof us,G3165

ὅςhoswhoG3739

ἐστινestinisG1510

πιστὸςpistosfaithfulG4103

ὑπὲρhuperon behalf ofG5228

ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771

διάκονοςdiakonosa servantG1249

τοῦtou<the>G3588

Χριστοῦ,Christouof Christ,G5547

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 1:7

Colossians 4:12
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.
Philemon 1:23
There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
Hebrews 2:17
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Colossians 4:7
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
Hebrews 3:2
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Numbers 12:7
My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
Philippians 2:25
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Epaphras.
4:12; Phm 1:23
our.
Php 2:19-22,25
a.
Nu 12:7; Mt 24:45; 25:21; 1Co 4:2,17; 7:25; 2Co 11:23; Eph 5:21
1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 2:2; Heb 2:17; 3:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Colossians 1:6
Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Colossians 1:7
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Colossians 1:8
Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Read all of Colossians 1

Colossians 1:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Como habéis aprendido de Epafras, nuestro consiervo amado, el cual es un fiel ministro de Cristo á favor vuestro;
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	comme vous l’avez entendue d’Épaphras, notre bien-aimé compagnon de service, qui est un fidèle serviteur du Christ pour vous,
German Elberfelder 1871	so wie ihr gelernt habt von Epaphras, unserem geliebten Mitknecht, der ein treuer Diener des Christus für euch ist,
Latin Clementine Vulgate	sicut didicistis ab Epaphra carissimo conservo nostro, qui est fidelis pro vobis minister Christi Jesu,