Note 10 at Col 1:7: Epaphras is mentioned three times in the New Testament (this verse, Col 4:12; and Phm 23).

The word "fellowservant," as Paul described Epaphras in this verse, is used ten times in the New Testament (Mt 18:28-29, 31, 33, 24:49; Col 1:7, 4:7; Re 6:11, 19:10, and 22:9) and means "one who serves the same master with another...one who with others acknowledges the same Lord" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon). Paul connected Epaphras' ministry with his own by using this term.

Col 4:12 says Epaphras was "one of you," meaning that Epaphras was a Colossian. Putting this together with this verse, which says Epaphras was "for you a faithful minister of Christ," implies that Epaphras was the one who brought the Gospel to Colosse.

In Phm 23, Paul called Epaphras "my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus." It is not known if this is literal, or if he was simply saying Epaphras was a fellow believer in Jesus.

Note 11 at Col 1:7: Faithfulness is a prized characteristic that separates godly ministers from all the rest. Faithfulness carries the idea of being loyal, reliable, and having or being full of faith. Paul spoke of only a few of his associates as faithful, such as Tychicus (Eph 6:21 and Col 4:7), Epaphras (this verse), Onesimus (Col 4:9), and Timothy (1Co 4:17). Faithfulness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Ga 5:22) and must be developed in our lives as we look unto Him.