As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Parallel translations
- WEB even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
- BSB You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
- 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, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
- Phlm 1:23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
- Heb 2:17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
- Col 4:7All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
- Phil 2:25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
- 2 Tim 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
- 1 Cor 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
- Heb 3:2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
- 2 Cor 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
- Matt 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- 1 Cor 4:17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
- Num 12:7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
- 1 Cor 7:25Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
- Eph 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
- Phil 2:19–22But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
- 1 Tim 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
- Matt 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
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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
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