Colossians 4:12

“Epaphras, who is one of you, etc.] A native of Colosse, and one of their faithful ministers; (see <510107>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…”

“Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Col 1:29 and Col 2:1), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest." in prayers--Translate as Greek, "in his prayers." complete--The oldest manuscripts read, "fully assured." It is translated, "fully persuaded," Rom 4:21; Rom 14:5. In the expression "perfect," he refers to what he has already said, Col 1:28; Col 2:2; Col 3:14. "Perfect" implies the attainment of the full maturity of a Christian. BENGEL joins "in all the will of God" with "stand."”

“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…”

“Perfect - Endued with every Christian grace. Filled - As no longer being babes, but grown up to the measure of the stature of Christ; being full of his light, grace, wisdom, holiness. Colossians 4:14”

“Epaphras: Col 1:7; Plm 1:23 a servant: Joh 12:26; Gal 1:10; Jam 1:1; Pe2 1:1 always: Col 4:2; Luk 22:44; Gal 4:19; Heb 5:7; Jam 5:16 labouring: or, striving, Col. 2:1-23 that: Col 4:1; Rom 15:30; see note on Col 1:9, Col 1:22, Col 1:28; Mat 5:48; Co1 2:6, Co1 14:20 \*Gr: Co2 13:11; Phi 3:12-15; Th1 5:23; Heb 5:14 \*Gr: Heb 6:1; Jde 1:24 complete: or, filled, Rom 15:14 Colossians 4:13”