Amplified Bible
Colossians 4:12
12Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Context of Colossians 4:12
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, wishes to be remembered to you; as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); 11and from Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision (Jewish Christians), and they have proved to be an encouragement and a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.
Read all of Colossians 4Colossians 4:12 word by word
Ἀσπάζεται ὑμᾶς Ἐπαφρᾶς ὁ ἐξ ὑμῶν, δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, πάντοτε ἀγωνιζόμενος ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ἵνα σταθῆτε τέλειοι καὶ πεπληροφορημένοι ἐν παντὶ θελήματι τοῦ θεοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- EpaphrasἘπαφρᾶςEpaphras · EpaphrasG1889
- who isὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- youσύsu · youG4771
- a servantδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
- of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- salutethἀσπάζομαιaspazomai · to pay respects toG782
- alwaysπάντοτεpantote · alwaysG3842
- labouring ferventlyἀγωνίζομαιagōnizomai · to struggleG75
- forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- prayersπροσευχήproseuchē · prayerG4335
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ye may standἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
- perfectτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- completeπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- the willθέλημαthelēma · will/desireG2307
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
Cross-references for Colossians 4:12
- Colossians 1:7You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf
- Philemon 1:23Greetings to you from Epaphras, my fellow prisoner here in [the cause of] Christ Jesus,
- John 12:26If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
- Galatians 1:10Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
- James 1:1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!
- 2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
- Colossians 4:2Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.
- Luke 22:44And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.
- Galatians 4:19My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you—
- Hebrews 5:7In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will].
- James 5:16Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].
- Colossians 2:1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face.
- Colossians 4:1Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
- Romans 15:30I urge you, believers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join together with me in your prayers to God in my behalf,
- Colossians 1:9For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],
- Matthew 5:48You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Commentaries on Colossians 4:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Epaphras, 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 - · Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently. That ye may stand perfect and complete - ̔ . 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Epaphras - Notes, Colossians 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-18Verses 10-18 Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, and all his…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-14Out of the six people named, five are also mentioned in Philemon 1:23–24.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. 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; 14:5. In the expression "perfect," he refers to what he has already said, Col 1:28; 2:2; 3:14…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 4:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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