“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;”
Just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf — Epaphras (mentioned also in 4:12) is the Colossians' founder-evangelist. 'Beloved fellow servant' (agapētos syndoulos) establishes Epaphras as co-laborer with Paul. 'Faithful minister' (pistos diakonos) shows his reliability and service. 'On your behalf' (hyper hymōn) frames his ministry as vicarious: he serves Christ through serving them. Paul affirms local leadership while maintaining apostolic oversight.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:7
“Even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant.” He, it is probable, had preached there. “You learned” the Gospel. Then to show the trustworthiness of the man, he says, “our fellow servant.” Doubt not, he says, of the hope which is to come: ye see that the world is being converted. And what need to allege the cases of others? What happened in your own is even independently a sufficient ground for belief, for, “ye knew the grace of God in truth:” that is, in…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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