Colossians 1:7

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

You learned [this truth] from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow-slave, who is a faithful minister of Christ [to you] on our behalf.

Cross References

Matthew 18:29

His fellow-servant fell [on the ground before him] and begged him, saying, ‘[Please] be patient with me and I will repay you [all I owe you].’

Matthew 24:45

“Who then, is the trustworthy and sensible slave, to whom his master has assigned the management of his household to provide timely meals for its members?

Matthew 25:21

His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’

1 Corinthians 4:17

This is the reason that I am sending Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful [spiritual] son in [the service of] the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways [i.e., my teaching and conduct] which are in [the service of] Christ. I teach these things in every congregation wherever [I go].

1 Corinthians 4:2

Furthermore, one thing required of[good] property managers is that they prove dependable.

1 Corinthians 7:25

Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is “virgins” but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord’s mercy to be counted trustworthy.

2 Corinthians 11:23

Are they servants of Christ? (I am really talking like a crazy person now). I am more [of a servant, than they are]. I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have been flogged more severely. I have been in danger of death more frequently.

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Philippians 2:25

But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your messenger [to me] and minister to my needs.

Colossians 4:12

Epaphras, who is one of you [See 1:7; 4:9], a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always struggles in his prayers on your behalf so that you will remain mature and be fully convinced [that you are living] by all that God wants [for your life].

Colossians 4:7

Tychicus will tell you all about my affairs. [Note: This man probably delivered this letter as well as the one to the Ephesians. See Eph. 6:21]. He is our dearly loved brother and faithful minister and fellow-slave in [the service of] the Lord.

Colossians 4:9

[He is coming], together with Onesimus our faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. [Note: This could mean either “from your town” or, “a fellow-Christian”]. They will tell you about everything that is happening here.

1 Timothy 4:6

If you point out these things to the brothers you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, and will be nurtured by the message of the faith and of the good teaching which you have been following.

2 Timothy 2:2

And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, you should pass on to trustworthy men who will be able to teach other people also.

Philemon 1:23

Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in [the service of] Christ sends you his greetings,

Hebrews 2:17

So, for this reason, He had to become like His brothers in every way [i.e., except that He never sinned], so that He could become a merciful and faithful Head Priest in things related to God’s [service], [and] that He could provide a means of purifying [Lev. 16:30] for people’s sins [i.e., a “covering over” or forgiveness of them].

Hebrews 3:2

He was faithful to God who appointed Him, just as Moses was [also] faithful in [serving] God’s household [i.e., the Israelites].