Impressed by Love and Prayer

Scripture: You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:7-8

Observation: Paul is writing to a church he has never been to, and which he did not plant nor teach at, Colossae. He is writing this while imprisoned in Rome, and the purpose for why he would do so isn't clear, though he will also write a personal letter directly to one of the church leaders (Philemon). Based on both the words and some deeper literary analysis, it seems at least part of the reason he is writing is because Colossae's 'pastor' has also come to Rome, that being Epaphras.

Upon analysis, little is truly known of Epaphras outside of a few sentences by Paul. Scholars believe he is actually from Colossae and thus not a traveling apostle. There is a church tradition that he once learned from Paul and may have been converted in Ephesus, but there is no supporting evidence and that is mere conjecture. He is called a "fellow prisoner" in Philemon, but whether he was brought to Rome as a prisoner or arrested there for being Christian is unknown. About the only thing that can be truly said about Epaphras is ... Paul is impressed by him, and that impression is based on his report about the love found in the church in Colossae, and Epaphras' prayer life.

Application: If I had to say the things that are impressive about a church, the love of the people within the church, and the overall prayer activity within the church, likely wouldn't be high on my list. Then again, I have often found that what impresses me about churches is wrong, if not completely backwards. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise me to learn that the community found within a church, and the hidden actions of prayer to the Lord, are foundational.

I know I need to love people better. I know I need to pray more. These elements of Christian life are so important that Epaphras became esteemed and "dearly loved" by Paul, not for his theology or knowledge, but simply by his reports of such activities in Colossae.

Prayer: Lord, I would desire to be a man Paul might consider a fellow servant and faithful minister, not because of my service and ministry, but because of my love and prayer. May I continue to grow in love, especially toward my brothers and sisters in faith, with a soft and gentle heart. May I turn to you in prayer for all things, at all times, with no care that goes hidden and no joy that goes unpraised. Amen.