Epaphras: lovely, spoken of by Paul (Colossians 1:7; 4:12) as "his dear fellow-servant," and "a faithful minister of Christ." He was thus evidently with him at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He was a distinguished disciple, and probably the founder of the Colossian church. He is also mentioned in the Epistle to (Philemon 1:23), where he is called by Paul his "fellow-prisoner."