You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
Parallel translations
- WEB even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
- KJV As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
- NKJV as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
- NASB just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
- NLT You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
They learned the gospel from Epaphras, a faithful minister whom Paul commends. Sound teaching comes through trustworthy servants of Christ.
Overview
Epaphras, likely the founder of the Colossian church, is called Paul's 'beloved fellow servant' and 'a faithful servant of Christ.' By endorsing Epaphras, Paul confirms that the Colossians received the true gospel. The verse highlights how Christ ordinarily builds His church through faithful human messengers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Col 4:12Epaphras, 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.
- Phlm 1:23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,
- Heb 2:17For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.
- Col 4:7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
- Phil 2:25But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.
- 2 Tim 2:2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.
- 1 Cor 4:2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
- Heb 3:2He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
- 2 Cor 11:23Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.
- Matt 25:21His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- 1 Cor 4:17That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.
- Num 12:7But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house.
- 1 Cor 7:25Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
- Eph 5:21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- Phil 2:19–22Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing.
- 1 Tim 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
- Matt 24:45Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The image of the invisible God, firstborn over creation, in whom all things hold together and all the fullness of God dwells bodily — supreme over every power.
How Colossians 1:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.