Colossians 4:12

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 fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, working out their own salvation, and endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. The effectual, fervent prayer is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much. The smiles, flatteries, or frowns of the world, the spirit of error, or the working of self-love, leads many to a way of preaching and living which comes far short of fulfilling their ministry. But those who preach the same doctrine as Paul, and follow his example, may expect the Divine favour and blessing.

Colossians 4:12-15 . Epaphras, always labouring — Αγωνιζομενος , striving, or agonizing; for you in prayers — The word properly denotes contending, or combating in the games; here it signifies the greatest fervency of desire and affection in prayer: that ye may stand perfect — Perfectly instructed in all Christian graces, and performing all Christian duties. See 1 John 4:17 ; Hebrews 13:21 . And complete — Πεπληρωμενοι , filled with; all the will of God — As being no longer babes, but grown up to the measure of the stature of Christ, being filled with light and wisdom, grace and holiness. See on Colossians 2:10 . He hath great zeal for you — A great concern for your growth in grace and holiness, and your eternal salvation. And them that are in Laodicea and Hierapolis — Neighbouring cities in the Greater Phrygia, in which were Christian churches. The latter “was named Hierapolis, that is, the holy city, from the multitude of its temples. But it is not known what particular deity was its tutelary god. Its coins bear the images of Apollo, of the Ephesian Diana, of Esculapius, and of Hygeia. The two last-mentioned idols were worshipped in Hierapolis, on account of the medicinal springs with which it abounded. There was likewise a Mephitis, or opening in the earth, here, from which a pestilential vapour issued, which killed any animals which happened to breathe in it.” — Macknight. Luke, the beloved physician — Luke was deservedly beloved by St. Paul.

He was not only an intelligent and sincere disciple of Christ, but the apostle’s affectionate and faithful friend, as appears from his attending him in several of his journeys through the Lesser Asia and Greece. (See the preface to St. Luke’s gospel, and the note on Acts 27:1 .) And when the apostle was sent a prisoner to Italy, Luke accompanied him in the voyage, and remained with him till he was released. He was also with the apostle during his second imprisonment in the same city; on which occasion, when his other assistants deserted him, through fear, Luke abode with him, and ministered to him, 2 Timothy 4:11 . Salute the brethren in Laodicea and Nymphas — It seems Nymphas was an eminent Christian at Laodicea; and the church which is in his house — The society or congregation which assembled there for social or public worship.

Laboring fervently (ἀγωνιζόμενος) Rev., striving. See on Colossians 1:29; see on Colossians 2:1. Compare Romans 15:30. Perfect (τέλειοι) See on 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 2:7; see on 1 Corinthians 1:28. Complete (πεπληροφορημένοι) See on most surely believed, Luke 1:1; and compare full assurance, Colossians 2:2. Rev., fully assured. In all the will (ἐν παντὶ θελήματι) Lit., in every will. Will means the thing willed, as Luke 12:47; James 5:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Hence used sometimes in the plural, as Acts 13:22, shall do all my will (θελήματα), i.e., perform all the things willed by me. Ephesians 2:3, desires, strictly willings. So here the sense is, everything willed by God. The connection is apparently with σταθῆτε ye may stand. For a similar construction see John 8:44; Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1; 1 Corinthians 16:13. As Meyer observes, this connection gives stand both a modal definition (perfect and fully assured) and a local definition (in all the will).

(12) Epaphras. —See Note on Colossians 1:7 . Servant of Christ.—A title assumed by St. James and St. Judo, as well as by St. Paul himself, but given by him only to Timothy (Philippians 1:1) and to Epaphras here. Of course, all Christians are “servants of Christ.” But the name, as applied here, is no doubt distinctive of some peculiar character of service. Labouring fervently.—Properly, wrestling in agony of prayer. (See Romans 15:30.) Perfect and complete.—The word here found in the best MSS. for “complete” is used in Romans 4:21; Romans 14:5, for “fully convinced” or “persuaded.” This is probably, though not perhaps necessarily, its meaning here. In the two epithets—perfect and fully established in conviction—we may again trace, as before, reference to the pretensions of the Gnostic teachers to exclusive perfection in wisdom. St. Paul’s true fellow-worker, like himself, prays that this perfection may belong to all, and that it may have its basis not is the secrets of heavenly knowledge, but in the revealed “will of God.”

12. Christ—The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently—As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on [2433]Col 1:29 and [2434]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."

Epaphras - Notes, Colossians 1:7 . Always laboring fervently for you in prayers - Margin, "or striving." Greek: "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 - Margin, as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the mixture 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 Matthew 5:48), and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to anyone that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:9.

Colossians 4:12 . Ἐπαφρᾶς : see on Colossians 1:7 . He was either a native of Colossæ or had settled there.— δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ . Paul uses this term often of himself, but of no one else except here and Php 1:1 , where he calls himself and Timothy δοῦλοι Χ . Ἰ . Meyer and Alford connect with ὁ ἐξ ὑμ ., but it is better to place a comma after ὑμῶν .— πεπληροφορημένοι : see on Colossians 2:2 . Usually it is translated here “fully assured”. Haupt thinks that after τέλειοι this is unsuitable. But if we translate “complete” or “filled,” this is tautological, and it is not clear that τέλ . covers full assurance.— ἐν παντὶ θελήματι Θεοῦ : “in everything that God wills”. Meyer and Alford connect with σταθῆτε (or as they read στῆτε ), but it is better to connect with the two participles.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you: after he had given them the good wishes of some of the Jews, he doth here give the like from some of the Gentiles, beginning with Epaphras, whom he had before commended, Colossians 1:7,8 , and doth here recommend him as born and bred amongst them, devoted to their service, in being the servant of Christ, as Paul, separated to the preaching of the gospel, Romans 1:1 , yea, a fellow prisoner with the apostle upon that account, Philemon 1:23 . Always labouring fervently for you in prayers; and, as it became such a one, faithful in his office, not diverted by distance of place or length of time, was night and day contending zealously with prayers to God for their spiritual, temporal, and eternal welfare, as Romans 15:30 . That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God; that they might attain a sufficient perfection in all that which God would have them reach to: See Poole on "Colossians 1:28,29" . See Poole on "Philippians 3:15" . The distance between Colosse and Philippi, &c. render it improbable, whatever a learned man conceits, that Epaphras should be the same with Epaphroditus.

Verse 12. - Epaphras, who is (one) of you, saluteth you, a servant ( bondman ) of Christ Jesus ( Romans 1:1 ; Philippians 1:1 ; Titus 1:1 ; Galatians 1:10 ; 2 Corinthians 4:5 ; 1 Corinthians 7:22 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ; 2 Timothy 2:24 ; Acts 4:29 ; James 1:1 ; 2 Peter 1:1 ; Jude 1 ; Revelation 1:1 ; Revelation 22:3, 6 ). "Of you," like Onesimus (ver. 9). He was a native of Colossae, as well as evangelist and minister of the Church there ( Colossians 1:7, 8 ). "Bondman of Christ Jesus" is the title the apostle so often claims for himself (see references), only here put by him on any one else. Is there an implied reference to Onesimus (ver. 9), who was "a bondman after the flesh," but "the Lord's freedman" ( Philemon 1:16 ), while Epaphras, "the freeman," is "Christ's bondman" (comp. 1 Corinthians 7:22 )? We are reminded again of Colossians 2:6 (see note). Always striving on your behalf in his prayers, that ye may stand fast, (being) perfect and fully assured in all the will of God ( Colossians 1:9, 23, 29 ; Colossians 2:1, 2, 5 ; Romans 15:30 ; Ephesians 6:11-14 ; Philippians 1:27 ; Philippians 4:1 ; 1 Corinthians 16:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 3:8 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ). Epaphras "strives" ("wrestles") for his spiritual charge, like the apostle himself ( Colossians 1:29 , see note on ἀγωνίζομαι ; Colossians 2:1 ; Romans 15:30 ; Luke 22:44 ). Προσκαρτερέω in ver. 2 denotes the patient persistence, this word the intense energy, of prevailing prayer.