Epaphras

Paul opens and closes his letter to the Colossians by lauding this "minister of Christ."
Paul calls him a "dear fellowservant"(1:7), and "faithful minister of Christ" (1:7), a "servant of Christ"(4:12), states that he had been instrumental in the Colossians salvation and sanctification (1:7), and that he was eager to praise the work that God was doing in Colossae to other believers abroad (1:8). Also, Paul says that he "labor[ed] fervently for you in prayer"(4:12) that they would "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Paul also acknowledged his "zeal" for not only the believers in his home city, but also abroad (Laodicea, Hieropolis) (4:13).

What a great example of a Godly man. May we all seek to emulate the Godly example of Epaphras.