Colossians Chapter 4 verse 13 Holy Bible
For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in ASV
For I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in BBE
For I bear him witness that he labours much for you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in DARBY
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in KJV
read chapter 4 in WBT
For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in WEB
for I do testify to him, that he hath much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
read chapter 4 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 13. - For I hear witness to him that he hath much labour (πὸνον for ζῆλον, Revised Text) for you (Colossians 1:29; Colossians 2:1; Philippians 2:19-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Corinthians 16:15, 16). Πόνος occurs in the New Testament besides only in Revelation 16:10, 11 and Revelation 21:4, where it means "pain;" in classical Greek it implies "painful, distressful exertion" (comp. κοπιῶ, Colossians 1:29). It indicates the deep anxiety of Epaphras for this beloved and endangered Church. There is nothing here to point to "outward toil" (Lightfoot), any more than in Colossians 2:1. The apostle loves to commend his fellow labourers (Colossians 1:7; Philippians 2:20-22, 25, 26; 2 Corinthians 8:16-23). And for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis (vers. 15-17; Colossians 2:1). The Church in Hierapolis is added to that of Laodicea, singled out in Colossians 2:1 as a special object of the apostle's concern (on these cities, see Introduction, § 1). Whether Epaphras were the official head of these Churches or not, he could not but be deeply concerned in their welfare. Ver. 17 indicates the existence of a personal link between the Churches of Colossus and of Laodicea.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) On the natural union of Laodicea and Hierapolis with Colossae, partly local and historical, partly, no doubt, having reference to their conversion by the same instrumentality (of Epaphras), see Note on Colossians 2:1 and Introduction. Epaphras is said to have great "zeal" (properly, great labour) of anxiety--finding vent in the wrestling in prayer noted above--for all three cities, for which he evidently still felt himself responsible. In such responsibility, as in the charges of Timothy and Titus, we see the link between the apostolate of this period and the episcopacy of the future.
