(A little longer today, but I hope you enjoy it!)
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You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf Colossians1:7
Have you ever stopped to think about Epaphras?
I wouldn't blame you if you hadn't - Epaphras is mentioned only three times in the entire NT and each time he is only mentioned in passing!
We only know four things about Epaphras:
(The first two come from this passage, the third comes from Col.4 and the fourth comes from Philemon)
He was a fellow servant:
Epaphras was never given the title of "apostle", he does not even have the status that Timothy or Titus had. He was simply a servant with Paul. Paul often refers to himself as a servant of God - the greek word for servant is "doulos" and often refers to a bondslave - a slave, who, when given freedom, chooses to serve his or her master. Epaphras had chosen to serve his God. And he served God in such a way that Paul calls him a dear or beloved fellow servant!
He was a faithful minister:
The word minister has all sorts of connotations for us, but in the early church, a minister, a diakonos was one who served. It is likely that Epaphras, like Stephen the martyr, was appointed to wait on tables or do some other menial service like that in the church. But he was faithful!
There are many things that people expect from those who serve the Lord: They expect God's servants to be wonderful, powerful, careful, resourceful, purposeful, insightful, delightful, beautiful, and successful. But God asks "Are they faithful?"
He wrestled in prayer:
We read about this at the end of Paul's letter to the Colossians: "Epaphras is wrestling in prayer for you" Epaphras taught the gospel in Colosse and he prayed for spiritual growth in Colosse.
I think we are always underestimating the power of prayer - we tend to spend lots of time in many activities, neglecting the practice of prayer - we have theologies of prayer, we read books on prayer, but we don't always pray. Epaphras wrestled in prayer.
He was in prison with Paul: We learn this piece of information from Paul's letter to Philemon. Epaphras went to prison. We don't know whether he was also arrested or whether he chose to keep Paul company while he was under house arrest. But he did not shrink back from the consequences of the gospel. He did not shrink back from following God.
He was pretty much of an unknown figure. A simple person like you and I. There aren't books about Epaphras' theology or his missionary journeys, but a congregation that was full of faith and love grew because Epaphras told them about Jesus.
God wants you and me to be like Epaphras:
To Serve Him Faithfully and Prayerfully to the end.
That's what Epaphras did:
He served
He was faithful
He prayed
He was consistent in his commitment right to the end---
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
