Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Lovely, spoken of by Paul (Col. 1:7; 4:12) as “his dear fellow-servant,” and “a faithful minister of Christ.” He was thus evidently with him at Rome when he wrote to the Colossians. He was a distinguished disciple, and probably the founder of the Colossian church. He is also mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (1:23), where he is called by Paul his “fellow-prisoner.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(lovely), a fellow laborer with the apostle Paul, mentioned (Colossians 1:7) as having taught the Colossian church the grace of God in truth, and designated a faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. He was at that time with St. Paul at Rome. (A.D. 57.) For Paul’s estimate of him see (Colossians 1:7,8; 4:12)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
EP'APHRAS (lovely, a contraction of "Epaphroditus"), a distinguished disciple of Colossae, and a faithful minister of the gospel. Col 1:7. His character is described by the apostle Paul, Col 1:7-8, Lev 4:12, whose fellow-prisoner he was at Rome. Phile 23.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
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