CHAPTER XI

Epaphras-Paul's Fellow Servant and Fellow Prisoner

The story of Epaphras's career is based on the following passages:-Col. 1:7-8, 4:12-13, and Philemon 1:24.

PAPHRAS is named in only two books of the New Testament, Colossians and Philemon; and in these two his name occurs but three times. All that is

directly recorded about him is contained in ten verses, and yet these are enough to prove him a man of stalwart worth and large achievements, a man therefore whose acquaintance we could ill afford not to make.

I

Epaphras As Founder of Churches, Preacher and Pastor

We learn from Paul's letter to the church at Colossae that the people of that city had never seen his face, and that the man from whom they had received the Gospel message was Epaphras. From Paul's testimony, in this same epistle, to Epaphras's

zeal for "them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis" the inference is natural that he was also the founder of the churches in those two cities. These three towns were only a few miles apart, all being situated in Phrygia in the valley of the Lycus, a river emptying into the Meander.

From Paul's letter we also learn the great and simple themes of the Gospel which were the burden of the message Epaphras delivered unto the Colossians "faith in Jesus Christ, the truth of the gospel, and the grace of God.' From the same source likewise we are informed what a faithful pastor Epaphras was, the condition of his church bearing eloquent testimony to his labors. To Paul's ears had come reports of their faith, their "love to all the saints," and that they were bearing fruit from the day they first heard of the Gospel. All these facts are sufficient proof of Epaphras's zeal and ability as a founder of churches, as pastor, and as preacher. Nor is this all that can be said in praise of his staunch worth and watchfulness in all three capacities. When his parish began to be troubled and confused by philosophical speculations and by the zealots of the Jewish law, feeling himself unable to cope with the situation, he left Colossae temporarily and took the long and perilous journey to Rome to seek out Paul in his prison and consult with him as to how best his sorely perplexed but loyal-hearted flock could be rescued from the teachings that were threatening the simplicity of their faith in Christ.

No journey, hardship, or danger, counted for a moment with this faithful pastor if only he could be of true assistance to his beloved people. He reported to Paul their love and Christian zeal, and besought his counsel in the crisis confronting him and them.

And what testimony did Paul bear concerning this pastor who was now so far distant from his flock? He was in Rome, but he did not do as the Romans did, nor was he forgetful of those humble folk in far-off Colossae. He was not dazed by the magnificence of the Imperial City, nor by its pomp or power and splendor. Paul wrote back to Colossae concerning their pastor that he was for them "a faithful minister of Christ," that he was "always laboring fervently for them in his prayers, that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God for," he adds, "I bear him record that he hath a great zeal for you." What a cheering message for the Colossian church during the absence of their pastor. What joy it must have brought to their hearts-Epaphras was not sightseeing in Rome, nor on pleasure bent. He was counseling about their welfare and praying for their prosperity in Christ.

Of Epaphras's early life and conversion we know nothing with absolute certainty. But it would appear that he was a native of Colossae, and may very well have been converted during a visit to Ephesus while Paul was laboring there. And it is probable, if the above is a correct assumption, that

Epaphras at once gave such evidence of ability and consecration that Paul sent him back to labor in the Lycus valley; and that the churches there planted by him were founded under Paul's general supervision, though he did not himself visit them. We are informed by Acts 19:10 that while Paul was preaching in Ephesus all Asia (the province of that name) "heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." Hence Ephesus was but the headquarters of a great missionary campaign conducted by Paul with the aid of his many lieutenants.

II

The Results of Pastor Epaphras's Interview With Paul in Behalf of His Distant Flock

Epaphras must have been more than satisfied with the results of his visit to Paul, whatever the cost to himself in time, money, and hardship. Paul's interest in that far-off parish which he had never seen, was both immediate and practical. At once he began to pray for them and continued doing so without ceasing from the very moment he heard from Epaphras's lips the story of their fidelity and danger. But Paul's helpfulness did not end with his prayers. He was in chains and so could not go to them; but he could write a letter, or dictate one, and this he did. Out of the riches of his wisdom, love, and spirituality, he gave to that little flock a message which to this day the church universal treasures among its inspired writings. And to show that he did not feel nor desire the obligation to be all

on one side, he interceded with that humble folk to pray for him and his fellow workers "that God would open for him a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak."

So intensely was Paul interested in the Colossian church that he appears to have made some great sacrifice in their behalf, for he writes that he "rejoices in his sufferings for them filling up that which was behind of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh for Christ's body's sake, which is the church." And he adds, "I would that ye might know what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicae, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh."

One other service Paul performed for this church as a direct result of their pastor's visit to him: he sent unto them Tychicus, one of his close companions, that he might farther know their "estate and comfort their hearts." And SO as a result of Epaphras's fidelity to his parish the Apostle devoted his best powers to their welfare and enriched all Christianity with another of his inspired letters. To Epaphras, then, as well as to Paul, do we owe a part of our Word of God.

III

Some Farther Evidence of Paul's High Estimate of Epaphras's Ability and Character

Of all his many friends just two men only does Paul call his "fellow servants," and Epaphras is