A Picture of a Faithful Minister
Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress." Colossians 1:7 As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Come in; I will show thee that which may be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door, the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hung up against the wall, and this was the fashion of it: — It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind his back, it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head. Then said Christian, What means this? Interpreter: The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget children (1 Corinthians 4:5), travail in birth with children (Galatians 4:19), and nurse them himself when they are born (1 Thessalonians 2:7). And, whereas thou seest him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips, it is to show thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners, even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men; and whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head, that is to show thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. (Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress.") Parallel Verses KJV: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; WEB: even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,