The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Epaphras
fl. c. 55–62 (death unrecorded; trad. martyr of Colossae) · Founder-evangelist of Colossae · Colossae → Rome
The Apostolic Age
Who Epaphras was
The Colossians “learned the gospel of Epaphras our dear fellowservant,” Paul writes — the planter of the Lycus-valley churches of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, cities Paul himself had never visited. He carried their news to the imprisoned apostle and stayed, “always labouring fervently for you in prayers”; in Philemon Paul calls him “my fellowprisoner.” Tradition, predictably, makes him first bishop of Colossae and a martyr.
Common questions
When was Epaphras active?
Epaphras is dated fl. c. 55–62 (death unrecorded; trad. martyr of Colossae) in the archive, which places Epaphras in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Epaphras?
Epaphras is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul and Paul of Tarsus. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Epaphras from?
The archive associates Epaphras with Colossae, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Epaphras’ contemporaries?
The archive links Epaphras to 4 other figures, including Paul of Tarsus, Philemon of Colossae, Archippus and Nympha of Laodicea. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Colossians 4:12
c. AD 55Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.Paul · read ↗
Philemon 1:23
c. AD 62There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus.Paul of Tarsus · read ↗
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Epaphras, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.