Colossians 1:7
“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They learned this gospel from Epaphras, whom Paul calls a beloved fellow servant and a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf.
What Does Colossians 1:7 Mean?
Paul names the human messenger: Epaphras, almost certainly the one who carried the gospel to Colosse and now brought Paul word of how the church was faring. Paul honors him warmly.
The titles matter. Epaphras is a dear fellowservant -- a colleague, not a subordinate -- and a faithful minister of Christ, accountable ultimately to the Lord he serves. By commending him, Paul quietly assures the Colossians that the message they first received was trustworthy and authorized, even though Paul himself never came. Faithfulness, not fame, is what Paul praises. The work of Christ moves forward through ordinary servants who simply prove reliable where they are placed. The Colossians owe their faith, under God, to such a man, and Paul wants them to remember it.
In the Original Language
Diakonos (διάκονος), 'minister' -- a servant who attends to others' needs; the word stresses service, not status.