Epaphras, 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.
Epaphras was a man from the city of Colossae who helped plant the Christian community there and had traveled to visit Paul, who was writing this letter from prison. Paul passes along Epaphras' greetings and describes his prayer life in striking terms — he 'wrestles' in prayer, a word drawn from athletic combat. The goal of his intercession is that the believers back home would stand firm, grow into spiritual maturity, and be fully confident in God's will for their lives. This is a portrait of someone who treats prayer as real, effortful work — not a courtesy, but a fight undertaken for people who aren't even in the room.
Lord, my prayers are often thin and hurried. Give me the heart of Epaphras — someone willing to linger, to agonize, to stay in the fight for others even when I see no results. Teach me to pray with the same urgency I'd want someone to pray for me. Amen.
Most of us pray for others in passing — a quick 'Lord, bless them' wedged between thoughts. Epaphras does something different. The Greek word Paul uses here is *agonizomai*, the same root as agony. It's where we get the word agonize. He isn't breezing through a mental list. He's in the ring. Fighting for people who will never see it. And there's something quietly stunning about that image — someone spending themselves in prayer for a community hundreds of miles away, with no applause, no feedback, no confirmation that anything is changing. Think about who's on your heart right now — a friend who's drifting, a child making choices that scare you, a coworker who seems to be running on empty. Epaphras teaches us that prayer isn't what you do when you've run out of options. It might be the heaviest lifting available to you. You don't need the perfect words or an unbroken quiet hour. You just need to care enough to stay in the fight, even when nothing visible is happening. Who are you willing to wrestle for?
What does Paul mean when he describes Epaphras as 'wrestling' in prayer? What does that image suggest about how he understood what prayer actually is?
When did you last pray for someone with genuine intensity — not a passing mention, but something that cost you time or sleep? What made it feel like a fight?
Epaphras prays that the Colossians would 'stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.' How is that different from simply praying that someone would be happy or healthy? Why does that distinction matter?
How might your relationships change if the people you care about knew you were genuinely wrestling in prayer for them — and how might it change you?
Who is one specific person you could commit to praying for with Epaphras-level intensity over the next 30 days? What would that commitment actually look like in your daily routine?
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;
Colossians 1:7
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2
Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God.
AMP
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
ESV
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
NASB
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
NIV
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
NKJV
Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
NLT
Epaphras, who is one of you, says hello. What a trooper he has been! He's been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you'll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.
MSG