Could those words describe you? As I read and study the Bible, often I am captivated by people in the passages and stories that I am reading. We all know the “big names.” We know about Peter and Paul. We can tell others about Mary the mother of Jesus and the “sons of thunder,” James and John the Apostles. But it is fascinating to see the other not so well-known names and the testimonies that they had when Christianity was in its infancy. Why do these type characters fascinate me? I think it is because these are the lives that the overwhelming majority of God’s people live. Most of us aren’t “big names.” We are just simple people going about our lives seeking to serve the Lord. One such man is Epaphras. If you were to ask some of your brothers and sisters in Christ who this man was, only one or two would know. He is mentioned only three times in the New Testament, twice in Colossians and once in Philemon. Today, I thought I’d share his life with you. We will look at the verses that tell us about him and hopefully his life will challenge us to “make Jesus look good.”

Epaphras was a common name in Asia Minor two thousand years ago. The name means “lovely, fascinating and charming.” If Epaphras lived up to his name, and I think he did, he was a man to be admired. His name is a Gentile name, so he wasn’t Jewish. The area that he was from, Asia Minor, we know as modern-day Turkey. How do we know he is from this area? Colossians 4:12a, “Epaphras, who is one of you…saluteth you.” Paul wrote this epistle and connected Epaphras with the people of this area, especially the church at Colossae, telling them he says hello. Let’s look at some bullet points about this special man.

  • He was a prisoner in Rome with Paul during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment. It was during this imprisonment that four of our New Testament books were penned. Those four books are aptly called “the Prison Epistles” and included in this list are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. It is in Philemon 1:23 that we learn of Epaphras being a “fellow prisoner” with Paul. This follower of Christ was willing to suffer for the cause of Christ.
  • He was a coworker in the ministry (Colossians 1:7). Paul goes farther than saying he was just a coworker. He calls him “our dear fellow servant.” One of the “big names” looked at this man and gave him the accolades due a faithful disciple of Christ. Paul was connecting himself with this faithful man of God. Perhaps there were people causing issues doctrinally in the church. Paul was letting the congregation know he was on the side of his “dear fellow servant.”
  • He most likely started the church in Colossae. Colossians 1:7, “…who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.” He loved the church in which he labored. Often, we are admonished in the Word of God to be faithful in our calling. If you’d like some proof verses check out Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10-12; Luke 19:17; I Timothy 1:12; II Timothy 2:2.
  • He brought “good-news” to Paul. Colossians 1:8, “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.” He knew the people at this church. He knew their love for Christ and it showed in their lives. One preacher summed it up this way. “He extolled their virtues and stayed silent on their short-comings.”
  • He cared about those outside of his pastoral ministry. Christians ought not to have tunnel vision, caring only for themselves and their group. Notice Colossians 4:13. Epaphras cared about two other groups of Christians. Those in the city of Laodicea and Hierapolis. Are you concerned about only your circle of family and friends, but care little about millions that have never heard about Jesus? The Missions Ministry of Corinth is wonderful, but we can’t rest on our past and present laurels. We need to expand our footprint around the world. The Lord Jesus commanded us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).
  • One final thing about this good Christian man. He was a man of prayer. 4:12 says “…always laboring with you in prayer that you may stand perfect (mature) and complete in all the will of God.” He prayed for those in his church family. The word “laboring” means he wrestled in prayer for those saints at Colossae. Who are you praying for today? Do you have a list of your brothers and sisters in the Corinth Church family? He “always” prayed for them. While in prison or while pastoring, they were always on his mind.

Is it any wonder that Epaphras was beloved by Paul? He truly lived up to his name’s meaning. Lovely, fascinating, and charming were attributes of this man. He lived a life committed to Christ. May we strive to have these in our lives as well.