In the final words of his
letter to the Colossian church, Paul the apostle named several men
who were “fellow laborers, workers and prisoners” with him in
sharing the gospel. In chapter four and verse twelve we meet another
one of Paul's companions as we read about a man named “Epaphras”.
The verse says,
Epaphras, who is one
of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently
for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all
the will of God.
The
verse begins, “Epaphras, who is one of
you, a servant of Christ, salutes you,” The
name “Epaphrus”
means “lovely”, and Paul says of him, “who is one of
you” or “out of,
from, by, away from the Colossians”. Paul also says “Epaphras”
is “a servant of Christ” and employs the Greek word
“dulous” which is “bond-servant or a willing servant” of
Jesus Christ. His reference to “Epaphras” was that he
“salutes you” or “greets, bids welcome, wishes well to
the Colossians”.
The verse goes on to say, “always
laboring fervently for you in prayers,” Let
us notice Paul's description of “Epaphras'”
labor, “always”
which means “at all times and ever”; “laboring
fervently” which is the Greek word “agōnizomai” from
which the English word “agonize” comes and means “to enter a
contest: contend in the gymnastic games, to contend with
adversaries or fight” “for you in prayers”.
“Epaphras” was so deeply compassionate about the conditions
within Colosse, that he labored fervently and agonized over the
church members in prayers to the Lord on their behalf.
Finally the verse says, “that
you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” The
purpose of “Epaphras'”
fervent labor in prayer was so the Colossians “may stand
perfect” or “brought
to their end, finished, and wanting nothing necessary to
completeness” “and complete” which means “to make
full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full, bring to realization and
to full effect” “in all the will of God”. “Epaphras”
desired for the church members to fully enjoy whatever “God wishes
to be done by them through His will, choice, inclination, desire and
pleasure”.
When we meditate upon
“Epaphras” and his passion, we begin to understand his
spiritual battle which he “always” fought in prayer for
the Colossian church. Prayer was “labor” because of it's
spiritual nature. How long has it been since we have “labored
fervently in prayer” for anyone or anything? When is the last
time we “agonized” over someone else's spiritual condition? As we
allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in this area, may we become so
compassionate for others to become “perfect and complete in all
the will of God” that we defer not nor delay to “labor” in
our talking to the Lord about them. “Epaphras” was a
wonderful example of the way we must be in prayer, and for all who
will follow his ways, may the throne room of the Almighty God be
ready to hear our prayers on behalf of others.
Next
time Paul shares more about Epaphras, so read ahead,
and we shall join
together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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