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Colossians 1:7
7 As [kathos] ye [manthano] also [kai] learned [manthano] of [apo] Epaphras [Epaphras] our [hemon] dear [agapetos] fellowservant [sundoulos], who [hos] is [esti] for [huper] you [humon] a faithful [pistos] minister [diakonos] of Christ [Christos];
8 Who [ho] also [kai] declared [deloo] unto us [hemin] your [humon] love [agape] in [en] the Spirit [pneuma]. KJV-Interlinear
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. NASB
Epaphras means lovely, charming, covered with foam. It is an indication of his personality, which was apparently pleasant and favorable to all. The foam is a reference to excellent beverages, so Epaphras was apparently a very social and sociable person.
Here he is indicated as the one who brought the gospel and doctrine to the Colossians, and has reported the success of the positive response toward the gospel and doctrine in that region.
And here is just a passing thought in this regard. All of these men and women were non-combatants. They were not warriors, not soldiers, not people who raided into an area, defeated it, and forced its inhabitants into submission to their beliefs.
And all of this spreading of the gospel and doctrine occurred during a very trying time in the Roman Empire. The Middle East was awash with rebellion and violence, and still the gospel of Christ spread rapidly like wild fire, but without the fire, so to speak.
And with that point, Paul has told us that the gospel went out all over the world in a similar manner. The gospel went out by means of people who spread the good news, and he, Paul and others heard of their experiences, by means of someone reporting back.
And in similar fashion as Jesus went from place to place, if He was met with positive volition, then He taught, and if He was met with rejection or indifference, then He withdrew.
And so it has always been throughout the ages. Certainly there have been very aggressive missionaries from time to time, but the successful spread of the gospel does not depend on military might, or intimidating tactics. The truth sells its self. And when people are starving for truth, it is consumed ravenously.
Bible doctrine is like a banquet to folks coming in out of the desert. Starving and near death, the aroma, the pleasantries, the sights, the tastes, all and more, combine for a wonderful life saving experience.
In Islam the Sahara is called the Garden of Allah. And we all know that Allah is a myth and a lie. His garden is a lifeless place just as he is.
But the garden of God, is a productive and colorful and wonderful place. And such is life when God is included, correctly in ones experience.
Bible doctrine is life and beauty, and productivity and innovation, and everything that is good and more.
