1:7a

You learned it from Epaphras: The word it refers back to “the word of truth, the gospel” in 1:5. In some languages, it may be necessary to say “Epaphras taught this message to you” rather than You learned it from Epaphras.

Epaphras: Epaphras was the main person who had taught the message about Christ to the Colossians.

1:7b

our: The word our refers to Paul and Timothy and perhaps other Christians who were with them.

fellow servant: When Paul said Epaphras was his fellow servant (the Greek is literally “co-slave”), he meant that Epaphras was Christ’s slave just as Paul and Timothy were.

In 1:5–7 Paul emphasized that God had given only one true message—the message about Christ that Epaphras had originally taught to the Colossians. In 1:7 Paul emphasized that just as he and Timothy were messengers of Jesus, Epaphras was also. So Paul was saying that if the Colossian Christians rejected Epaphras, they would also be rejecting him and Timothy.

1:7c

faithful minister of Christ: In 1:7b Paul called Epaphras his “fellow servant.” Here in 1:7c he called him a minister of Christ. The word minister means “worker, servant.” The words “servant” in 1:7b and minister in 1:7c translate different Greek words, but they have similar meanings.

faithful: This means that Epaphras was reliable. He continued to work for Christ—he didn’t give up when he faced pressure.

on our behalf: Some Greek manuscripts say, “on our behalf,” and others say, “on your behalf.” English versions differ as to which manuscript they follow:

(1) The Berean Standard Bible says “on our behalf.” This means that Paul was saying that Epaphras faithfully served Christ among the Colossians as a representative of Paul (and Timothy).

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)

(2) Other versions say “on your behalf.” This can mean one of two things:

(a) that Epaphras was serving Christ by teaching the Colossians, that is, “for the Colossians.”

(King James Version, Contemporary English Version).

(b) that Epaphras was faithfully serving Christ by being a representative of the Colossians to Paul (and Timothy).

(God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004)).

The first option (1) is recommended because it has the best support among the Greek manuscripts. It also fits the context, since Paul was emphasizing Epaphras’ work among the Colossians.

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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