12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
servant (v.12) — “Servant” is doulos, “a slave.” This title, which the apostle uses several times of himself, is not found elsewhere conferred on any other individual, except once on Timothy (Philippians 1:1), and probably points to exceptional services on the part of Ephaphras. — Wuest, page 237.
stand perfect (v.12) = be made to stand fast
complete (v.12) = having been fully convinced — in the face of the heresies taught by the Gnostics
Laodicea (v.13) — Laodicea was a larger and richer city than Colossae. It was on the same main road, six miles west, but was at the junction of five roads. Hierapolis was five miles north of Laodicea. — Vine, page 374.
beloved physician (v.14) — probably a reference to Luke as Paul’s personal physician
Demas (v.14) — mentioned again only in 2 Timothy 4:10 where Paul says Demas has abandoned him
Nymphas (v.15) — probably a woman
epistle from Laodicea (v.16) — perhaps the book of Ephesians
Archippus (v.17) — thought to be the son of Philemon (Philemon 1:2)
