Paul and Epaphras

Do you want to disciple church planters?

Watch how Paul mentored Epaphras in the letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 1:7 states that the church at Colossae was formed when Epaphras preached the gospel in his hometown – see 4:12.

It makes convincing sense to understand that Epaphras attended Paul’s teaching in the Hall of Tyrannus at Ephesus, the provincial city about a hundred miles west of Colossae; Acts 19:10. He then returned to his hometown and set about telling all his friends and family and neighbours the gospel. A church was formed in the town.

But that wasn’t enough for Epaphras, who went and did the same again in the neighbouring towns of Laodicea and Hierapolis; Colossians 4:13.

If Epaphras preached the gospel and planted churches, what did Paul do?

Paul taught and had discussions, (with Epaphras and many others) daily, (we might imagine a lunchtime teaching session), in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, (a central public venue in Ephesus), for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia, (Western Turkey), heard the word of the Lord; Acts 19:10.

And in Colossians we see Paul (who is in prison), publicly commend and authenticate Epaphras (‘he is a faithful minister of Christ’),

… affirm him (‘a dear fellow servant’),

…encourage him (‘he is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, 4:12),

… and help him in his ministry, (‘we have not stopped praying for you’),

… and from Colossians 1:15 – 2:23 Paul writes to correct a doctrinal heresy that seems to come from the influence of a false teacher who is trying to hijack Epaphras’ outstanding ministry.