Colossians 4:12-13

Colossians 4:12-13

[12] Epaphras,  who is one of  a servant  of Christ,  saluteth  always  labouring fervently  for  in  prayers,  that  ye may stand  perfect  and  in  all  the will  of God.  [13] For  him  record,  that  he hath  a great  for  and  them that are in  Laodicea,  and  them in 

What does Colossians 4:12-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

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 proportion as people requested these of Him ( James 4:2). This is spiritual work that only God can do. Epaphras" concern for the Christians in the other towns near Colosse suggests the possibility that he evangelized these communities too.
"Epaphras holds the unique distinction among all the friends and co-workers of Paul of being the only one whom Paul explicitly commended for his intensive prayer ministry. The passage quoted above [1] may well be called his diploma of success in this ministry." [2]
"Epaphras grasped, what many of us are slow to realize, that the tactics of the Christian battle are born of the strategy of prayer." [3]
"There are many things outside the power of ordinary Christian people, and great position, wide influence, outstanding ability may be lacking to almost all of us, but the humblest and least significant Christian can pray, and as "prayer moves the Hand that moves the world," perhaps the greatest power we can exert is that which comes through prayer." [4]
"It is related of an old pastor who every Saturday afternoon could be seen leaving his study and entering the church house by the back door, and about sundown he would be seen going home. Someone"s curiosity was aroused enough to follow one day and watch through a window. It was in the days when the family pew was an institution of the church. The old pastor was seen to kneel at each pew and pray for every member of the family that was to occupy it on the Lord"s Day. He called each member by name as he poured out his heart to God for his flock. His was a ministry of power and his people reflected the grace of God upon them. Blessed is that church which has such a praying shepherd." [5]