Colossians 4 · Verse 12

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.
Colossians 4:12, King James Version

Colossians 4:12 in other translations

BSBEpaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
WEBEpaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
ASVEpaphras, 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.
YLTSalute you doth Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God,
DARBYEpaphras, who is one of you, the bondman of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always combating earnestly for you in prayers, to the end that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
BBEEpaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.
WebsterEpaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

What does Colossians 4:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Col 1:29 and Col 2:1), 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," Ro 4:21; 14:5. In the expression "perfect," he refers to what he has already said, Col 1:28; 2:2; 3:14. "Perfect" implies the attainment of the full maturity of a Christian. Bengel joins "in all the will of God" with "stand."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. Epaphras. Col 1:7.

Always labouring fervently for you in prayers. Marg., "or, striving." Gr., agonizing. The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare.

That ye may stand perfect and complete. Marg., as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the nature of philosophy and error, and completely perform the will of God in every respect. This is the expression of a pious wish in regard to them, without any affirmation that any had been absolutely perfect, or that they would be perfect in this world. It is, however, a command of God that we should be perfect, (see Mt 5:48;) and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to any one, that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God. 2Cor 13:9.

(1) "labouring" "serving" (e) "fervently" Jas 5:16 (f) "stand perfect" Mt 5:48 (2) "complete" "filled affairs"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 Epaphras, who is one of you - A native of some part of Phrygia, and probably of Colosse itself. A servant of Christ - A minister of the Gospel. Labouring fervently for you - Αγωνιζομενος· Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently. That ye may stand perfect and complete - Ἱνα στητε τελειοι και πεπληρμενοι. That ye may stand firm, perfectly instructed, and fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught you as the revealed will of God: this I believe to be the meaning of the apostle. Instead of πεπληρωμενοι, complete or filled up, almost all the MSS. of the Alexandrian rescension, which are considered the most authentic and correct, have πεπληροφορημενοι, that ye may be fully persuaded. The word πληροφορια signifies such a complete persuasion of the certainty of a thing, as leaves the mind which has it neither room nor inclination to doubt; and πληροφορεω, the verb, has the same meaning, viz., to be thus persuaded, or to persuade thus, by demonstrative argumentation and exhibition of unquestionable facts. This is such a persuasion as the Spirit of God, by means of the Gospel, gives to every sincere and faithful man; and from which arises the solid happiness of the genuine Christian. They who argue against it, prove, at least, that they have not got it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 4:10-18

Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his…

Read the full comment on Colossians 4:10-18 →

Colossians 4:12 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.

ἈσπάζεταιAspazetaiGreetsG782
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἘπαφρᾶςEpaphrasEpaphrasG1889
ὁhowho [is]G3588
ἐξex[one] ofG1537
ὑμῶν,humōnyou,G4771
δοῦλοςdoulosa servantG1401
ΧριστοῦChristouof ChristG5547
Ἰησοῦ,IēsouJesus,G2424
πάντοτεpantotealwaysG3842
ἀγωνιζόμενοςagōnizomenosstrugglingG75
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
προσευχαῖς,proseuchaisprayers,G4335
ἵναinaso thatG2443
σταθῆτεstathēteyou may be stoodG2476
τέλειοιteleioimatureG5046
καὶkaiandG2532
πεπληροφορημένοιpeplērophorēmenoifully completeG4135
ἐνeninG1722
παντὶpantiallG3956
θελήματιthelēmati[the] willG2307
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦ.theouof God.G2316

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

Cross references for Colossians 4:12

  • Romans 15:30

    Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  • Colossians 1:9

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

  • Colossians 1:28

    Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

  • Colossians 1:7

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

  • Philemon 1:23

    There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

  • Romans 15:14

    And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  • Galatians 4:19

    My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

  • 2 Peter 1:1

    Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

  • Matthew 5:48

    Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

  • Galatians 1:10

    For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

  • Hebrews 5:7

    Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Epaphras.
1:7; Phm 1:23
a servant.
Joh 12:26; Ga 1:10; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1
always.
2; Lu 22:44; Ga 4:19; Heb 5:7; Jas 5:16
labouring. or, striving.
2:1-23
that.
1; Ro 15:30
See on ch.
1:9,22,28; Mt 5:48; 1Co 2:6; 14:20; *Gr:
2Co 13:11; Php 3:12-15; 1Th 5:23; Heb 5:14; *Gr:
Heb 6:1; Jude 1:24
complete. or, filled.
Ro 15:14

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

Context

  • Colossians 4:11

    And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

  • 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.

  • Colossians 4:13

    For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Os saluda Epafras, el cual es de vosotros, siervo de Cristo, siempre solícito por vosotros en oraciones, para que estéis firmes, perfectos y cumplidos en todo lo que Dios quiere.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Épaphras qui est des vôtres, esclave du christ Jésus, vous salue, combattant toujours pour vous par des prières, afin que vous demeuriez parfaits et bien assurés dans toute la volonté de Dieu;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Es grüßt euch Epaphras, der von euch ist, ein Knecht Christi Jesu, der allezeit für euch ringt in den Gebeten, auf daß ihr stehet vollkommen und völlig überzeugt in allem Willen Gottes.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Salutat vos Epaphras, qui ex vobis est, servus Christi Jesu, semper sollicitus pro vobis in orationibus, ut stetis perfecti, et pleni in omni voluntate Dei.