Colossians 4:12
What does Colossians 4:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Colossians 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Colossians 4:12 means
Epaphras, “one of you,” is commended as a servant of Christ Jesus who prays fervently for the Colossians. His labor in prayer aims at their maturity: that they may stand perfect and fully assured in all God’s will. Prayer here is not casual; it is striving—a sustained spiritual exertion. Epaphras embodies pastoral care through intercession, seeking not merely their comfort but their completeness in obedience and confidence. Assurance and holiness grow together under the will of God. This verse dignifies unseen ministry, showing that kneeling work undergirds the church’s standing, and that true shepherds long for their flock’s stability in truth and life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Epaphras, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his love, ever taking thought for you in his prayers, that you may be complete and fully certain of all the purpose of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Salute you doth Epaphras, who <FI>is<Fi> of you, a servant of Christ, always striving for you in the prayers, that ye may stand perfect and made full in all the will of God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Epaphras saluteth you, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, who is always solicitous for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and full in all the will of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Epaphras, who is [one] of you, [the] bondman of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always combating earnestly for you in prayers, to the end that ye may stand perfect and complete in all [the] will ofGod.
Context
After listing Jewish coworkers, Paul turns to Epaphras, himself from Colossae and likely instrumental in their founding. His prayers link Paul’s prison with the church’s maturity. Verse 13 will expand his concern to Laodicea and Hierapolis, drawing a regional picture of pastoral care. These greetings reassure the Colossians that they are not forgotten and that their leaders labor for them even when absent.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
- Luke 22:44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
- Romans 15:30
Now I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;
- James 5:16
Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.
- Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
- Colossians 1:7
even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
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