What does Colossians 4:13 mean?
Verse 12 mentioned Epaphras' constant prayers for the spiritual maturity of his hometown church. According to Paul, though, the ministry of Epaphras was not limited to just the people of Colossae. Paul says that Epaphras has been working diligently for the Christians in two nearby towns: Laodicea and Hierapolis. Laodicea is mentioned in Colossians 4:15–16 and in Colossians 2:1. The church at Laodicea is also addressed in Revelation 1:11 and Revelation 3:14–22 as one of the seven churches Jesus addressed through John. Hierapolis is not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.History tells us that Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis were part of a single tri-city area. This region is now known as Pamukkale, in southwest modern-day Turkey. The church historian Eusebius mentioned Philip the evangelist serving and being martyred in this city. History also records that Philip's daughters served as prophetesses in this area (see Acts 8; 21:8–9).