A personal name, likely a shortened form of Epaphroditus. Epaphras was a co-worker of Paul, founder or key leader of the church at Colossae, and described as a "fellow prisoner" and "faithful minister of Christ." Paul twice highlights his fervent intercessory prayer for the Colossian believers.
Epaphras stands as one of Scripture's great models of intercessory prayer. Paul says he is "always wrestling in prayer for you" — the verb agonizomai describing his prayer as an athletic contest, an agonizing struggle on behalf of others. This is not casual petition but earnest spiritual warfare. Epaphras prays that the Colossians will "stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured" — a comprehensive prayer for complete discipleship. The church owes an enormous debt to those who pray with this intensity. Epaphras also reveals that healthy local churches are planted by committed evangelists who continue to love, serve, and intercede for their congregations long after planting.