Col 1:7 | HCSB | STEP | You learned this from Epaphras , our dearly loved fellow slave . He is a faithful servant of the Messiah on your behalf ,

Colossians 1:7

7 You learned this from Epaphras, ^a our dearly loved fellow ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slave. He is a faithful servant of the ^{▼▼Messiah: Or the Christ; the Greek word Christos means "the anointed one".}Messiah ^d on your ^{▼▼Other mss read our} behalf,