Philemon 1:23-24 Meaning: Epaphras: Fellow Prisoner or Fellow Servant?
23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
23Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee;
24and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
23Salute thee doth Epaphras, (my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus,)
24Markus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lukas, my fellow-workmen!
23Epaphras salutes thee, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus;
24Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workmen.
Meaning in one sentence
Did Epaphras literally share Paul's imprisonment? Explore the meaning of 'fellow prisoner' and the other coworkers in Philemon 1:23-24.
Context
Paul is finishing a very personal letter. He has asked Philemon to welcome back Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a believer. Now Paul sends greetings from five men who are with him. These names also appear in the letter to the Colossians, which was sent at the same time. That connection suggests Philemon lived in Colossae and knew these men. Epaphras is called a fellow prisoner. Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke are called fellow workers. The letter ends by drawing Philemon into a larger circle of people who share both the work and the hardship of the gospel.
Key Words
The Greek word for fellow prisoner (sunaichmalōtos) is rare. It means someone captured in war alongside you. Paul uses it for only a few people, including Epaphras here and Andronicus and Junia in Romans 16:7. Some commentators take it literally. Epaphras may have been thrown into prison for preaching. Others see it as a way of saying Epaphras shared so deeply in Paul's suffering that he felt like a prisoner too. Either way, the word pictures a bond that is costly.
The word for fellow worker (sunergos) is more common. Paul uses it for many people, including Mark, who had once left the mission team. Now Mark is back and standing with Paul. The two words together show that the first Christians were bound by both shared labor and shared hardship. Neither was done alone.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have long noticed that Epaphras is called a fellow prisoner but not a fellow worker. That has led some to think he was literally in chains with Paul, perhaps even arrested for his ministry. Others point to passages like Colossians 4:12 where Epaphras is described as a servant of Christ but not as a prisoner, so “fellow prisoner” here may refer to a past imprisonment or the closeness of his bond with Paul. The same question arises for Aristarchus, called a fellow prisoner in Colossians 4:10. Both readings honor Epaphras's commitment. What matters across traditions is that he stood with Paul in the hardest moment of his life.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume “fellow prisoner” must be only a spiritual idea. They think Epaphras was not actually in prison, just a loyal friend. In fact, the word Paul uses elsewhere (Romans 16:7) describes people who literally shared his imprisonment. Nothing forces a purely spiritual reading here. It is possible Epaphras knew the inside of a Roman cell. The verse does not settle the question. It simply tells us that Epaphras was right beside Paul, whatever that meant in real terms.
Living This Out
This week, you can ask who in your church family is carrying a heavy load. It may be someone who is sick, exhausted, or discouraged. Paul did not serve alone, and the men he named did not serve from a distance. They were in the same room, facing the same dangers. You do not need to be in literal chains to stand with someone. A phone call, a visit, a shared meal can be the way you say, “I am with you in this.” That is what fellow workers do. That is what the body of Christ looks like.
Main takeaway: God places us in a community where we work together for the gospel and carry each other's burdens in Christ.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul had friends who helped him. Some worked with him. One was even in prison with him. Friends help each other, even when it is hard.
For ages 9, 12
Paul ends his letter by naming five people. One was called a fellow prisoner. Four were called fellow workers. That means they were not just names on a list. They were people who lived alongside Paul, shared his work, and faced the same risks. The church has always been a place where people carry each other's real burdens, not just talk about them.
Questions People Ask
Why is Epaphras called a fellow prisoner but not a fellow worker?
The language Paul uses is unusual. He calls Epaphras a "fellow prisoner" and the other four "fellow workers." Some think Epaphras was literally in prison with Paul, perhaps for preaching. Others believe the phrase is a profound way to describe how closely he stood with Paul in his suffering. Either way, Epaphras is singled out as a man who shared Paul's hardest circumstances.
Did Demas really abandon Paul later, as mentioned in 2 Timothy?
Yes. In 2 Timothy 4:10, Paul writes that Demas forsook him because he loved the present world. Here in Philemon, Demas is still standing with Paul. This shows that even faithful workers can lose their way. It is a sober reminder to pray for steadfastness and not to take anyone's perseverance for granted.
Why does Paul list these names at the end of the letter?
Paul is building a community of support around his request. These five men are known to Philemon. By having them send greetings, Paul strengthens his plea for Onesimus. The names also show that the gospel is not a solo project. It involves people from different backgrounds, Mark from Jerusalem, Luke from Antioch, Aristarchus from Thessalonica, all working together.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study