"Epaphras, 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."
Biblical Name · Greek Origin
Epaphras Meaning in the Bible
Epaphras
boy
Epaphras means "Lovely; Charming; Praised", a boy's name of Greek origin. Epaphras appears in the King James Bible, and Colossians 4:12 is the passage most often tied to it. Epaphras — the prayer warrior of Colossae — teaches that the most powerful ministry is often invisible. His 'labouring fervently in prayer' shaped an entire region's faith from his knees.
Is Epaphras in the Bible?
Yes — Epaphras appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:12.
Pronunciation:/EP-uh-fras/
OriginGreek
MeaningLovely; Charming; Praised
What does Epaphras mean?
Epaphras is a boy name of Greek origin meaning "Lovely; Charming; Praised". Epaphras means "lovely" or "charming" in Greek. He was a faithful minister of Christ who founded the church in Colossae and was commended by Paul as "a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf."
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Epaphras mean in the Bible?
Epaphras means "Lovely; Charming; Praised" and is a name of Greek origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Epaphras means "lovely" or "charming" in Greek. He was a faithful minister of Christ who founded the church in Colossae and was commended by Paul as "a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf."
Paul's description of Epaphras reveals a man of extraordinary prayer life: "Epaphras, 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." The word "labouring" (agonizomai) suggests agonizing, wrestling prayer — not casual petitions.
Paul further testified: "I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis." Epaphras's pastoral heart extended beyond his own congregation to neighboring churches — a vision of ministry that saw the body of Christ as interconnected.
In Philemon 1:23, Paul calls Epaphras his "fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus," indicating that Epaphras shared Paul's imprisonment — whether literally or by choosing to stay with Paul in solidarity. His willingness to suffer alongside Paul exemplifies costly discipleship.
Where does Epaphras appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Epaphras is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Colossians 4:12. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Epaphras?
Epaphras is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Epaphras?
Epaphras — the prayer warrior of Colossae — teaches that the most powerful ministry is often invisible. His 'labouring fervently in prayer' shaped an entire region's faith from his knees.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Epaphras:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Bible Quiz
Epaphras Bible Quiz
The faithful minister of Colosse — labouring fervently in prayer.
Verses About
Bible Verses About Faithfulness
10 curated KJV verses
Verses About
Bible Verses About God's Faithfulness
10 curated KJV verses
Devotional
Deuteronomy 31:6 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Devotional
Lamentations 3:22-23 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Commentary
Psalm 23:6 Commentary
In-depth study • God's Faithfulness
What names are related to Epaphras?
Names like Epaphras
Other Greek biblical names that share the spirit of "Lovely; Charming; Praised" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Epaphras
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Epaphras
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Epaphras name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Epaphras appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:12.
Epaphras means "Lovely; Charming; Praised." It is a Greek name. The King James Bible uses it in Colossians 4:12, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek. Epaphras comes into English from Greek and carries the sense "Lovely; Charming; Praised." It appears in the King James Bible, including Colossians 4:12.
Common questions about the name Epaphras
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Epaphras?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Epaphras?
You can read every verse where Epaphras appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.