Colossians 1:7-8 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow slave, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8and he made known to us of your love in the Spirit.
Paul now identifies how the Colossians came to learn of the gospel. Epaphras, one of Paul’s co-workers in the mission, had brought the message to Colossae. Little is known about him. He is mentioned three times: here, 4:12, and Philemon 23. It is possible that Paul had sent him to Colossians for the purpose of evangelism. Or, it is also possible that Epaphras went there on his own. As 4:12 and Philemon 23 indicate, when Paul wrote this letter, Epaphras was with him in prison. Which imprisonment of Paul this was is not clear. The most probably of the options is that this was likely in Rome. The location of the writing of this letter is tied up with the location of Ephesians and Philemon.
As some point, Epaphras had gone to Colossae and shared the gospel. People came to accept the truth of it and it began to make profound changes in their lives. They responded from the day they heard and came to know the grace of God. They learned (emathete) about the gospel from him. Learned is related to the word used elsewhere for discipleship. The gospel had grown in them by this encounter with Epaphras. Since Epaphras was no longer there to teach them deeper truths, they needed clarification and correction lest they be led astray by false teachings.
Paul describes Epaphras is several noteworthy ways. First, he is called our beloved fellow slave (syndoulou). This does not mean that he was a slave owned by someone but that he was like Paul who was a slave to Christ (Romans 1:1). His Master and Lord was Christ. He had placed himself in the same position as Paul. Second, he is a faithful minister of Christ. Minister (diakonos) is the common word in the New Testament for those who served in special ways in the early church. It has the connotation of servant who assists others. Third, his ministry has been on behalf of the Colossians. He went to Colossae on purpose. He devoted himself to his ministry among them. Fourth, he had keen insight that Colossians were growing in their love in the Spirit.
This last phrase also gives insight into the situation of the Colossians. The seed of love had been planted in their hearts through the witness of Epaphras. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, this seed had grown and was bearing fruit among them. They had developed a reputation for their love. This is the power of the gospel. Love does not grow accidentally but only through prayer, devotion, and obedient faith. God was doing something powerful in this small town and likely small church. When the grace of God in Christ comes to a place and is accepted in faith, God can work his miracle of love through his Spirit.
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