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Colossians 4:12

in Colossians 4

Epaphras, 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.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

KJV

Epaphras, 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.

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This verse in Colossians 4

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1274.

Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, because he was an Asian. Their wish for the Colossians is "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas 1:4); that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God, that is, …

This site's exposition

labouring fervently for you in prayers

on Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras, the church's own founder, appears at his post: labouring fervently is agonizomenos, wrestling in prayer, the same striving word Paul used of his ministry at 1:29. The prayer's aim repeats the letter's, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Paul adds his sworn record of the man's zeal for all three Lycus towns, Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, the whole valley on one intercessor's heart.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Colossians 12 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness, that he hath much zeal for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis." In the commencement of this Epistle also, he commended this man for his love; for even to praise is a sign of love; thus in the beginning he said "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit." (Col. i. 8.) To pray for one is also a sign of love, and causeth love again. He commends him moreover in order to open a door to his teachings, for reverendness in the teacher is the disciples' advantage; and so again is his saying, "one of you," in order that they might pride themselves upon the man, as producing such men. And he saith, "always striving for you in prayers." He said not simply "praying," but "striving," trembling and fearing. "For I bear him witness," he saith, "that he hath much zeal for you." A trustworthy witness. "That he hath," he saith, "much zeal for you," that is, that he loveth you exceedingly; and burneth with passionate affection for you. "And them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis." He commendeth him to those also. But whence were they to know this? They would assuredly have heard; however, they would also learn it when the Epistle was read. For he said, "Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans." "That ye may stand perfect," he saith. At once he both accuseth them, and without offensiveness gives them advice and counsel. For it is possible both to be perfect, and withal not to stand, as if one were to know all, and still be wavering; it is possible also not to be perfect, and yet to stand, as if one were to know a part, and stand [not ] firmly. But this man prayeth for both: "That ye may stand perfect," he saith. […]

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1107.

proposed

As at the beginning of the epistle, so also now he commends him, so that, as one who loves them, they would love him in return, and would willingly listen to him when he teaches anything. And that the teacher is a man worthy of …

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He laboured in prayer, laboured fervently, and always laboured fervently for them. Those who would succeed in prayer must take pains in prayer; and we must be earnest in prayer, not only for ourselves, but for others also. It is the effectual fervent prayer which is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much ( Jam. v. 16 ), and Elias prayed earnestly that it might not rain,

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants, which might have been joined to the foregoing chapter, and is a part of that discourse. Justice is required of them: Give unto your servants that which is just and equal (

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A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

proposed

Perfect - Endued with every Christian grace. Filled - As no longer being babes, but grown up to the measure of the stature of Christ; being full of his light, grace, wisdom, holiness.
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Epaphras, who is one of you,.... A native of Colosse, and one of their faithful ministers; see Col 1:

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Col 1:29 and Col 2:1), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest." in prayers--Translate as Greek, "in his prayers." complete--The oldest manuscripts read, "fully assured." It is translated, "fully persuaded," Ro 4:21;

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Epaphras, who is one of you - A native of some part of Phrygia, and probably of Colosse itself. A servant of Christ - A minister of the Gospel. Labouring fervently for you - Αγωνιζομενος· Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently. That ye may stand perfect and complete - Ἱνα στητε τελειοι και πεπληρμενοι. That ye may stand firm, perfectly instructed, and fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught you as the revealed will of God: this I believe to be the meaning of the apostle. Instead of πεπληρωμενοι, complete or filled up, almost all the MSS. of the Alexandrian rescension, which are considered the most authentic and correct, have πεπληροφορημενοι, that ye may be fully persuaded. The word πληροφορια signifies such a complete persuasion of the certainty of a thing, as leaves the mind which has it neither room nor inclination to doubt; and πληροφορεω, the verb, has the same meaning, viz., to be thus persuaded, or to persuade thus, by demonstrative argumentation and exhibition of unquestionable facts. This is such a persuasion as the Spirit of God, by means of the Gospel, gives to every sincere and faithful man; and from which arises the solid happiness of the genuine Christian. They who argue against it, prove, at least, that they have not got it.
Epaphras - Notes, Col 1:7. Always laboring fervently for you in prayers - Margin, “or striving.” Greek: “agonizing.” The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare. That ye may stand perfect and complete - Margin, as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the mixture of philosophy and error, and completely perform the will of God in every respect. This is the expression of a pious wish in regard to them, without any affirmation that any had been absolutely perfect, or that they would be perfect in this world. It is, however, a command of God that we should be perfect (see Mat 5:48), and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to anyone that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God; compare the notes at 1Co 13:9.

The words behind it

26 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 12:2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.59 works1 Corinthians 16:13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.48 worksLuke 18:1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:25 worksEphesians 6:13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.21 worksGalatians 4:19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,19 worksColossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,14 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Matthew 7:21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.13 worksRomans 12:12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.13 worksColossians 1:7You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,13 worksRomans 15:30Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.12 worksMatthew 5:48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.11 worksColossians 1:9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,9 worksPhilippians 3:15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.9 worksLuke 11:8I tell you, even though he will not get up to provide for him because of his friendship, yet because of the man’s persistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.9 works1 John 2:17The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.8 worksHebrews 10:36You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.7 worksPhilemon 1:23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings,6 worksColossians 1:28We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.6 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Colossians 1:9

    For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and…

    it leads to

    • James 3:17

      But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

    • Philippians 1:9–11

      And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

    • James 1:5

      Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

    • Ephesians 1:15–20

      For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

    • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

      Pray without ceasing.

  • Through

    Colossians 1:28

    We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

    it leads to

    • Ephesians 5:27

      and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

    • Jeremiah 3:15

      Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

    • Ephesians 4:11–13

      And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Where this verse is studied

About Colossians

The Word Made Flesh, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Word Made Flesh, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Colossians: the study guide →Read Colossians 4 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 12; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.

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