Colossians 4:12

King James Version

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.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you.

Revised Standard Version
Ep'aphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always remembering you earnestly in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Epaphras the servaut of Christ which is one of you saluteth you and all wayes laboreth fervently for you in prayers that ye maye stonde perfect and full in all that is the will of God.

Hebrew Names Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Messiah, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

New American Standard Bible
Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

New Century Version
Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you.

Update Bible Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

English Standard Version
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.

World English Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayer, that ye may stand, perfect and filled, with all the will of God.

Weymouth's New Testament
Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings to you, always wrestling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand firm--Christians of ripe character and of clear conviction as to everything which is God's will.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Epafras, that is of you, the seruaunt of Jhesu Crist, gretith you wel; euere bisi for you in preyeris, that ye stonde perfit and ful in al the wille of God.

English Revised Version
Epaphras, 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.

Berean Standard Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.

Contemporary English Version
Your own Epaphras, who serves Christ Jesus, sends his greetings. He always prays hard that you may fully know what the Lord wants you to do and that you may do it completely.

Amplified Bible
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.

American Standard Version
Epaphras, 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.

Bible in Basic English
Epaphras, 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.

Complete Jewish Bible
Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God's will.

Darby Translation
Epaphras, 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 of God.

International Standard Version
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servantslave">[fn] of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He is always wrestling in his prayers for you, so that you may stand maturecomplete">[fn] and completely convinced of the entire will of God.Matthew 5:48; Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 14:20; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:7; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Epaphra, who is of you, asketh for your peace; a servant of the Meshiha, who is always labouring on your behalf in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of Aloha.

Murdock Translation
Epaphras saluteth you, who is from among you, a servant of the Messiah, always laboring for you in prayer, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the good pleasure of God.

King James Version (1611)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a seruant of Christ, saluteth you, alwaies labouring feruently for you in praiers, that ye may stand perfect, and complete in all the will of God.

New Living Translation
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.

New Life Bible
Epaphras says hello. He is one of your people and a servant of Jesus Christ. As he prays for you, he asks God to help you to be strong and to make you perfect. He prays that you will know what God wants you to do in all things.

New Revised Standard
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Epaphras the seruant of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, and alwayes striueth for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and full in all the will of God.

George Lamsa Translation
Ep''a-phras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you: always labouring for you in prayer, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Epaphras who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, - at all times, contending in your behalf in his prayers, that ye may be caused to stand complete and fully assured in everything willed by God;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Epaphras 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.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Epaphras which is of you, a seruaunt of Christe, saluteth you, alwayes labouryng feruently for you in prayers, that ye may stande perfect and fylled in all the wyll of God.

Good News Translation
Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will.

Christian Standard Bible®
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured in everything God wills.

Lexham English Bible
Epaphras, who is one of you, greets you, a slave of Christ always struggling on behalf of you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

Literal Translation
Epaphras greets you, he of you, a slave of Christ, always striving for you in prayers, that you may stand full-grown and being complete in every will of God.

Young's Literal Translation
Salute you doth Epaphras, who [is] 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,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Epaphras a seruaunt of Christ, which is one of you, saluteth you, & allwaye laboureth feruently for you in prayers, yt ye maye stonde perfecte and full, in all that is the wil of God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
have cordially reliev'd me. Epaphras a servant of Christ, and your countryman, salutes you, who is always very earnest in his prayers, that you may be perfectly acquainted with, and constantly observe,

THE MESSAGE
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. I've watched him closely, and can report on how hard he has worked for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

New English Translation
Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

New King James Version
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 [fn] in all the will of God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Epaphras, one of your own cowboys and a friend to us, sends greetings as well. He's constantly praying for y'all to become better and better cowboys, strong and perfect in Christ. He asks God to fill y'all with confidence in your ride with the Lord.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.

Legacy Standard Bible
Epaphras, who is one of your number, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God.

Contextual Overview

⁷ All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: ⁸ Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; ⁹ With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. ¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) ¹¹ And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. ¹² 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. ¹³ For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. ¹⁵ Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. ¹⁶ And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Epaphras: Colossians 1:7, Philemon 1:23

a servant: John 12:26, Galatians 1:10, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1

always: Colossians 4:2, Luke 22:44, Galatians 4:19, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:16

labouring: or, striving, Colossians 2:1-23

that: Colossians 4:1, Romans 15:30, see note on Colossians 1:9, Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:28, Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 14:20,*Gr: 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 3:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 5:14,*Gr: Hebrews 6:1, Jude 1:24

complete: or, filled, Romans 15:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:24 - wrestled Job 36:4 - perfect Matthew 7:21 - that Luke 10:2 - the labourers Luke 11:8 - because of Luke 18:1 - that Acts 6:4 - prayer Romans 6:22 - become Romans 12:2 - good Romans 12:11 - fervent Romans 12:12 - continuing Romans 16:12 - labour 1 Corinthians 7:22 - is Christ's 1 Corinthians 16:13 - stand 2 Corinthians 13:9 - even Ephesians 4:1 - walk Ephesians 6:6 - doing Ephesians 6:13 - to stand Philippians 3:15 - as Philippians 4:1 - so Colossians 1:29 - labour Colossians 4:7 - a beloved 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - affectionately 1 Thessalonians 3:2 - our brother 1 Thessalonians 3:10 - might perfect 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - this Hebrews 10:36 - after Hebrews 13:21 - Make James 1:4 - perfect and James 3:2 - a perfect 1 Peter 4:2 - the will 1 John 2:17 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord .

Genesis 4:4
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:14
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.

Genesis 4:17
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.

Genesis 4:18
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.

Genesis 4:23
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.

Genesis 4:24
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

Leviticus 26:36
And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Psalms 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Epaphras, who is one of you,.... A native of Colosse, and one of their faithful ministers; see Colossians 1:7.

A servant of Christ; not merely in the same sense as every believer is, but as he was a preacher of the Gospel, in which he faithfully served his Lord and master, Christ:

saluteth you; sends his Christian respects to you, for whom he bore a sincere love and hearty affection, as appears by what follows:

always labouring fervently for you in prayers; in all his prayers, which were many and frequent, he never forgot his dear flock at Colosse, of which he was pastor, but strove with God for them, even to an agony, as the word signifies; he wrestled with the Lord as Jacob did, nor, as he, would he let him go without a blessing for this church; he was incessant, importunate, and fervent in prayer for them: and what he prayed in particular for them was,

that ye may stand perfect; in Christ Jesus their head, and in his spotless righteousness; see Colossians 1:28 and continue believing in him, and looking to him for righteousness and strength, in whom all the fulness, the perfection of grace dwells; and where the saints only are, and can continue to be perfect:

and complete in all the will of God; or "be filled" in it, have a perfect knowledge of the revealed will of God, both as to doctrine and practice, and be enabled to act according to it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Epaphras - Notes, Colossians 1:7.

Always laboring fervently for you in prayers - Margin, “or striving.” Greek: “agonizing.” The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare.

That ye may stand perfect and complete - Margin, as in Greek, filled. The desire was, that they might maintain their Christian principles unadulterated by the mixture of philosophy and error, and completely perform the will of God in every respect. This is the expression of a pious wish in regard to them, without any affirmation that any had been absolutely perfect, or that they would be perfect in this world. It is, however, a command of God that we should be perfect (see Matthew 5:48), and it is the highest wish of benevolence in reference to anyone that he may be complete in moral character, and may do all the will of God; compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:9.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. Epaphras, who is one of you — A native of some part of Phrygia, and probably of Colosse itself.

A servant of Christ — A minister of the Gospel.

Labouring fervently for you — αγωνιζομενος. Agonizing; very properly expressed by our translators, labouring fervently.

That ye may stand perfect and complete — ινα στητε τελειοι και πεπληρμενοι. That ye may stand firm, perfectly instructed, and fully persuaded of the truth of those doctrines which have been taught you as the revealed will of God: this I believe to be the meaning of the apostle.

Instead of πεπληρωμενοι, complete or filled up, almost all the MSS. of the Alexandrian rescension, which are considered the most authentic and correct, have πεπληροφορημενοι, that ye may be fully persuaded. The word πληροφορια signifies such a complete persuasion of the certainty of a thing, as leaves the mind which has it neither room nor inclination to doubt; and πληροφορεω, the verb, has the same meaning, viz., to be thus persuaded, or to persuade thus, by demonstrative argumentation and exhibition of unquestionable facts.

This is such a persuasion as the Spirit of God, by means of the Gospel, gives to every sincere and faithful man; and from which arises the solid happiness of the genuine Christian. They who argue against it, prove, at least, that they have not got it.