Secrets of Living

It is at least suggestive, and it may be significant, that there is an almost entire absence of appeal in St. Paul’s Epistles to evangelise, only one such exhortation being found (2 Tim. 4:5). But there is a constant emphasis on the Christian life of holiness and the necessity of realising our full privileges in Christ. There may be some connection between the absence of the appeal and the presence of the emphasis, for if the inner life is right, soul-winning and evangelism will be the natural and necessary outcome. Certainly, as water never rises above its level, so our service in its quality, reality, vitality and energy will never be higher than the genuineness of our fellowship with God. It is this that makes the reference to Epaphras so important, for it reveals what was evidently the outstanding feature of his Christian life.

I. The Fact

The greatest service we can render to others is to pray for them. Forbes Robinson, of Cambridge, used to say that instead of calling on a man or inviting a man to call on him, he found it more profitable to spend a half-hour in prayer for the man. Abraham’s prayer for Lot, Christ’s prayer for Peter, Paul’s prayers for the Churches — all show the value and importance of intercession. How this brings blessing is of course a mystery, but it is clear from Scripture that we can help by prayer, and love without prayer lacks its deepest force. Epaphras had the Colossian Christians ever in mind as he went before God in prayer.

Secrets of Living, 4:12
II. The Foundation

The reason why he was able to pray was that he was “a servant of Christ Jesus.” Christians alone can really pray because prayers are only possible when based on the acceptance of the promises of God. It is one of the proofs of the new life, “Behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11). This is a service that all can render. Epaphras could not write the wonderful Epistles of St. Paul, but he could pray, and this we know he did. Let us therefore be encouraged in this special and blessed work. There are many things outside the power of ordinary Christian people, and great position, wide influence, outstanding ability may be lacking to almost all of us, but the humblest and least significant Christian can pray, and as “prayer moves the Hand that moves the world,” perhaps the greatest power we can exert is that which comes through prayer.

III. The Nature

Three things are mentioned in connection with the prayer of Epaphras. It was earnest, “striving” for them. This is the word found in connection with the Apostle’s own prayers ( 1 :29; 2:1). It is akin to the word “agony” which is associated with Gethsemane. There is nothing in this of our modern idea of pain or anguish, but there is assuredly in it the idea of the athlete wrestling and putting forth all his power. It suggests at once the cost of prayer and also the fact that Satan is continually hindering God’s people from praying. Be it ours to put all our effort into prayer and thereby to manifest spiritual earnestness. Epaphras was also persistent in his prayers, “always’’ striving. He was not content with asking once, but bore these Colossian Christians continually before God. Our Lord said that “men ought always to pray and never to lose heart” (Luke 18:1, Greek). The definiteness of his prayer must also be noticed, “always striving for you.” He knew what he wanted and he knew those for whom he was praying, and so he asked with clearness and force. This is the prayer that always prevails.

IV. The Purpose

Three things sum up the desire of Epaphras for his friends in Colosse and they represent some of the essential elements of the Christian character.

1. He prayed that they might be steadfast, “that ye may stand.” We need, as doubtless they did, the stead¬ fastness of resistance against error and of persistence in work. Many people are tempted and fall because they are not able to withstand in the evil day, and many others fail to continue in the Christian life because they lack that perseverance which enables them, “having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

2. He also desired them to be ripe and mature in the Christian life, “that ye may stand perfect.” The word “perfect” is contrasted with the babe in another of St. Paul’s Epistles (1 Cor. 3:1), where the thought is of unripeness and immaturity. There is also the solemn thought of the second childhood of those who had gone back from their Christian position (Heb. 5:12, 13). This may almost be called overripeness. The true Christian will be “perfect” in the sense of spiritually mature, realising the “end” (Greek) or object for which he is a follower of Christ. It will mean clearness of spiritual perception, tenderness of spiritual sympathy, charm of spiritual attractiveness, and fruitfulness of spiritual influence. It is very important to bear in mind that the word “perfect” never means sinlessness in the New Testament.

3. Another element of the Christian life for which he prayed was what may be called assurance, “fully assured

Secrets of Living, 4:12 in all the will of God.” The thought seems to be identical with, or else akin to certainty, and the word is found in three connections in the New Testament — the fulness or full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:22); the fulness or full assurance of hope (Heb. 6:11); and the fulness or full assurance of understanding (Col. 2:2). It means that the Christian is intended to be quite sure of God’s will in regard to his acceptance, his fellowship, and his equipment. He knows and is certain of his position in Christ, he knows and rejoices in his communion with Christ, he knows and is certain of his provision from Christ.

As we consider what Epaphras was doing, we see that in many ways intercession is the greatest necessity and the most blessed work we can do. Whether our prayers are for individuals or for communities of Christians, we should “pray, always pray.” It is also our bounden duty, for as “priests” unto God we ought to make the fullest possible use of this ministry of intercession.

And if any one should think that this is difficult, the Apostle reminds us of the way in which Epaphras accomplished his work by himself living “in the will of God.” For us the Word of God is the expression of His will, and with daily meditation, daily application, daily trust, daily obedience, we shall become mighty in prayer because “mighty in the Scriptures.” The Word of God is the fuel of prayer and will prompt, inspire, and encourage us to petition and intercession. In particular, it will reveal to us the wonderful intercession of Christ above (Rom. 8:34) and the equally wonderful intercession of the Holy Spirit within (Rom. 8:26), and because thus linked with the throne through Christ and the Holy Spirit we shall be “bound by gold chains about the feet of God.”