← G1888 G1890 →

Ἐπαφρᾶς

Epaphrâs

G1889 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Epaphras (proper noun): a personal name belonging to an individual mentioned in several Pauline letters, identified as a prominent associate and coworker of Paul. The name itself carries no inherent lexical meaning in Koine Greek outside its function as a designation for this individual.

Semantic Range

personal name, used for a specific individual in the New Testament; as a contracted form of Epaphroditos, originally meaning 'favored by Aphrodite'

Root / Etymology

Contracted form of Ἐπαφρόδιτος (Epaphroditos), which is derived from Ἐπαφρόδιτος meaning 'favored by Aphrodite.' The contraction results in a shortened personal name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἐπαφρᾶς is attested in the New Testament exclusively as the name of an individual associated with the early assemblies in Colossae. In Colossians and Philemon, Epaphras is presented as a co-worker of Paul, described as a 'servant of Christ' and connected to the local communities of faith in Asia Minor. The original, longer form Ἐπαφρόδιτος (Epaphroditus) is a more common personal name in the Greco-Roman world, often bearing the meaning 'beloved of Aphrodite' or 'devoted to Aphrodite,' reflecting the practice of theophoric naming (names that invoke deities) in Hellenistic cultures. In the New Testament texts, the name no longer carries its original pagan connotations and functions simply as a proper noun for a particular person. Standard English translations routinely preserve the Greek form as 'Epaphras.' Unlike the related name Epaphroditus (which is also attested in the Pauline corpus), Epaphras is not to be confused with other individuals of similar names, and there is no evidence within the text for a symbolic or allegorical use. The use of Hellenistic names among Judean and other eastern Mediterranean communities was common during this period, reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity of the early Jesus-movement.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contracted from Ἐπαφρόδιτος; Epaphras, a Christian:--Epaphras.

Root Family

Ἐπαφρᾶς (Epaphras) — proper name, personal designation, shortened form of Epaphroditos

Root Ἐπαφρᾶ- (proper name) personal designation, (as a name) shortened form of Epaphroditos

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1889-02 Ἐπαφρᾶς epaphras N NOM M SG Epaphras Epaphras Epaphras 2
G1889-01 Ἐπαφρᾶ epaphra N GEN M SG Epaphras of Epaphras Epaphras 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1889-01 Colossians 1:7 Ἐπαφρᾶ epaphra N GEN M SG Epaphras of Epaphras Epaphras
G1889-02 Colossians 4:12 Ἐπαφρᾶς epaphras N NOM M SG Epaphras Epaphras Epaphras
G1889-02 Philemon 1:23 Ἐπαφρᾶς epaphras N NOM M SG Epaphras Epaphras Epaphras
← G1888 Greek Lexicon G1890 →