Epaphras is the named person described as a faithful servant, prayerful representative, and fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.

Epaphras functions as the name of a particular man: he is identified as a faithful servant through whom believers learned, as one who strives in prayer for them, and as a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.

1. Name of a faithful servant and representative · dominant

   In Colossians 1:7, the genitive singular form identifies the person from whom the readers learned; the APB renders him as "our beloved fellow slave" and "a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf." In Colossians 4:12, the nominative singular form introduces the sender of greetings, who strives in prayers for the recipients; Philemon 1:23 likewise names him as the sender of greetings and calls him a fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus.

   Colossians 1:7Colossians 4:12Philemon 1:23

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB retains the name "Epaphras" in all three verses and adds contextual descriptions: a faithful servant in Colossians 1:7, one who strives in prayer in Colossians 4:12, and a fellow prisoner in Philemon 1:23. These descriptions belong to the surrounding clauses rather than supplying separate renderings of the name.