SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:7
como lo habis aprendido de Epafras, nuestro consiervo amado, el cual es para vosotros un fiel ministro de Cristo Jess;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Colossians 1:7
Verse 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras-who is for you] Who this Epaphras was we cannot tell; only it is likely that he was a Colossian, and became, by the call and grace of Christ, a deacon of this Church, faithfully labouring with the apostle, to promote its best interests. Some think that he is the same with Epaphroditus, Epaphras being a contraction of that name, as Demas is of Demetrius; and it is remarkable that one of the Slavonic versions has Epaphroditus in this place. That he was a Colossian is evident from chap. iv. 12: Epaphras, who is one of you, o ex umwn? some think that he was the first who preached the Gospel among this people, and hence called an apostle. He was raised up among themselves to be their minister in the absence of the apostle, and he showed himself to be worthy of this calling by a faithful discharge of his ministry, and by labouring fervently for them all, and pressing them forward, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. As ye also learned of Epaphras , etc.] To know the grace of God, believe the truth of the Gospel, and to own and profess it sincerely. Our dear fellow servant ; a servant of Christ he was, and a fellow servant of the apostles, jointly engaged with them in preaching the Gospel; which character, as it greatly commends Epaphras, and shows him to be a very considerable preacher of the word, so it expresses the great humility and condescension of the apostle, in putting him upon a level with himself, though he was not in that high office of the apostleship he was. And dear this precious servant of Christ was to him, and his fellow ministers, on account of the grace and gifts bestowed on him, because of his usefulness in the ministry, and his faithfulness and integrity in the discharge of it; and whose company and conversation in the prison greatly endeared him to them, for he was a fellow prisoner, as well as a fellow servant, ( Philemon 1:23). It follows, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ ; one whom Christ had made a minister and not man, who was qualified, and sent forth, and made successful by him in his service; and who preached none but Christ, and him crucified, in the business of salvation: and he was a faithful one; one that sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him; nor to please men, but his master; who concealed no part of his message, but freely and fully declared the whole; he was faithful to Christ, who put him into the ministry, and to the souls of men, to whom he ministered: and therefore it is said, he was such an one for you; for them, not for himself; for their spiritual good and advantage; he sought not theirs, but them; he had a great zeal for them, dearly loved them, and spent his time and strength, and made use of his gifts and talents while among them, for their use and benefit.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - All true Christians are brethren one to another. Faithfulness run through every character and relation of the Christian life. Faith hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life and proper matter for prayer and thanksgiving. The more we fix ou hopes on the reward in the other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, n enemy could deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it. Worldly love arises either from views of interest or from likeness in manners; carnal love from the appetite for pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish and base always cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is full of holiness. (Col 1:9-14)
Greek Textus Receptus
καθως 2531 και 2532 εμαθετε 3129 5627 απο 575 επαφρα 1889 του 3588 αγαπητου 27 συνδουλου 4889 ημων 2257 ος 3739 εστιν 2076 5748 πιστος 4103 υπερ 5228 υμων 5216 διακονος 1249 του 3588 χριστου 5547
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Fellow-servant. Used by Paul only here and ch. iv. 7.
Minister (diakonov). See on Matt. xx. 26; Mark ix. 35.
For you (uper umwn). Read hJmwn, us as Rev., on our behalf: as Paul's representative.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:7 {Of Epaphras} (apo epafra). "From Epaphras" who is the source of their knowledge of Christ. {On our behalf} (huper hemwn). Clearly correct (Aleph A B D) and not huper humwn (on your behalf). In a true sense Epaphras was Paul's messenger to Colossae.
