Of course we're all familiar with that prominent New Testament saint, Epaphras. What? He's only vaguely familiar to you? Well, actually, his name is only mentioned three times in Scripture ( one . . . two . . . three ) , each time by Paul: once in a greeting, and in the closing remarks of two letters.
Despite his "bit part" in the NT writings, I think that his significance as a man of God and an example for us is great. The Holy Spirit has Epaphras' name there for a reason. We understand from the context of Paul's references to Epaphras that he was a fellow worker and prisoner with Paul. Also, as it says in Colossians, he was a "faithful minister", "wrestling in prayer" and "working hard." I wanna be like that. Faithful, prayerful, dependable. I also know that I need to not mind playing the "bit part". Our conceptions of what is important and notable in kingdom work are often skewed. Our work for God is notable and important when we are doing what He's called us to where He called us to do it.
Epaphras probably did just that. He found himself in league with Paul, was an emissary to the churches in Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colossae, and threw himself into his work. He even suffered in prison because of it. Cool. All this for the glory of God and the sake of the Gospel! That's heroic in my book.
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