Introduction to Colossians: Authorship, Date, Audience - Crain Home

Interpretation 4
In 10-11, Paul mentioned three Jewish colleagues positively--Aristarchus,
Mark, and Jesus--who may, in fact, belong to the party "from the
circumcised." Paul next implies that Timothy probably will come to
Colosse. Epaphras, as Intervarsity points out, has a special relationship with
Colosse, perhaps as the founding father of the congregation. Epaphras's
prayer that the Colossian believers stand firm in all the will of God
(compare 1:9) indicates his commitment to them. Importantly, maturity for
Paul means seeking perfection in Christ:
http://crain.english.mwsc.edu/colossians/interpretation_4.htm (4 of 10)6/17/2003 8:18:22 AM
According to O'Brien, the word mature (teleios) "touches on
one of the key issues at Colosse in which members of the
congregation were encouraged by false teachers to seek
maturity or perfection through their philosophy (2:8) with its
ascetic practices, visionary experiences and special
revelations, rather than through Christ" (1982:253). Paul also
uses this word to summarize his and God's purpose for
mission: "so that we may present everyone perfect [teleios] in
Christ" (1:28). The second term, fully assured (plerophoreo),
belongs to the pleroo word-family, which Paul has used in
confessing the core convictions of Colossian Christianity
(1:9, 19; see also 4:17), in introducing his own mission (1:25;
2:2) and in arguing against the false teaching in Colosse (2:9-
10). Paul's use of these two catchwords in describing the aim
of Epaphras's prayer for the Colossians ties Epaphras with
Paul in both the Colossian crisis and its resolution (see Lohse
1972:173-74).
This also may explain why Paul adds his extraordinary
testimony of Epaphras's tireless campaign in the Lycus
valley: I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and
for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. If we understand this
comment in the light of the preceding one, Paul's reference to
Epaphras's working hard may well combine with his
wrestling in prayer for you to create a more favorable
impression of him (so Schweizer 1972:240-41; Harris
1991:210-11). I am more inclined, however, to see it as a
digression (as does O'Brien 1982:254), which allows Paul to
vouch for Epaphras's commitment to the Colossian believers.
But why should Paul think his support for Epaphras is
necessary now? Again, my speculation is that Epaphras, who
is the principal architect of Colossian Christianity, has been