Colossians 1:7-8
Colossians 1:7-8 - "...just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit."
·"beloved” - His name is very close to “Aphrodite” which means “lovely.” Epaphras was a lovely person. He was much loved by Paul and by the Colossians.
·“fellow bond-servant” - The word “bond-servant” translates the Greek word “doulos.” That was the word used to describe the lowest of slaves in the social order of the first century world. This was the person who did all the dirty work. Whatever no-one else wanted to do, that task fell to the “doulos.” That is the role unselfish Epaphras gladly assumed. Instead of demanding a position of honor or authority, instead of seeking praise and recognition, Epaphras willingly put himself in the background and put others first.
·"faithful servant of Christ” - Faithfulness is the primary thing the Lord requires of us. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says “...it is required of stewards [or servants] that they be found faithful...” Epaphras was certainly faithful toward Christ and toward Paul. In Philemon 23 Paul describes Epaphras as “my fellow prisoner.” It is possible that Epaphras voluntarily gave up his freedom to be with Paul. He did not abandon his friend in a difficult time. He remained loyal and true, even though it cost him his freedom to do so.
·“informed us of your love” - Epaphras was the person who kept Paul apprised of the status of the church in Colossae. There were many negative things Epaphras could have reported to Paul about the Colossian church. And while Epaphras sought Paul’s advice on how to deal with some problems in the church at Colossae, his main word to Paul about the Colossians was a positive word.
(For more detailed notes on Colossians go to http://www.larryreynolds.org-a.googlepages.com/home)
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