In the New Testament, the term "fellow-prisoner" is used to describe individuals who were imprisoned alongside the Apostle Paul due to their faith and ministry in Christ. This term highlights the shared suffering and commitment among early Christians who faced persecution for the sake of the Gospel.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 16:7 · "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was."
In this passage, Paul refers to Andronicus and Junia as his fellow prisoners, indicating that they were not only his relatives but also shared in the hardships of imprisonment for the cause of Christ. Their mention as being "outstanding among the apostles" suggests their significant role and reputation in the early church.

2. Colossians 4:10 · "My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)"
Aristarchus is identified as a fellow prisoner with Paul, demonstrating his close association and partnership in ministry. Aristarchus is known to have accompanied Paul on several of his missionary journeys, including the perilous voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2).

3. Philemon 1:23 · "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings."
Epaphras is another individual who is described as a fellow prisoner with Paul. His imprisonment is specifically noted as being "in Christ Jesus," emphasizing that his suffering was directly related to his faith and service to the Lord.

Theological Significance:

The concept of being a fellow prisoner with Paul underscores the reality of persecution faced by early Christians. It reflects the cost of discipleship and the willingness of believers to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. The mention of fellow prisoners in Paul's letters serves as a testament to the solidarity and mutual support among the early Christian community.

These references also highlight the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers are called to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to stand firm together in the face of trials. The shared experience of imprisonment for the Gospel became a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Christ and the unwavering commitment of His followers.

Historical Context:

During the first century, Christians often faced persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities. Imprisonment was a common consequence for those who boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ. The Roman Empire, in particular, viewed the growing Christian movement with suspicion, often leading to the arrest and imprisonment of its leaders.

Paul's own experiences of imprisonment, as documented in the Acts of the Apostles and his epistles, provide a backdrop for understanding the plight of his fellow prisoners. Despite the physical and emotional toll of imprisonment, these early Christians remained steadfast in their faith, serving as examples of courage and perseverance for future generations.

Practical Application:

The accounts of Paul's fellow prisoners serve as an encouragement to modern believers to remain faithful in the face of adversity. They remind Christians of the importance of community and the strength found in standing together for the truth of the Gospel. The willingness of these early Christians to suffer for their faith challenges contemporary believers to consider the depth of their own commitment to Christ and His mission.4869. sunaichmalotos -- a fellow prisoner
... fellow prisoner. From sun and aichmalotos; a co-captive -- fellowprisoner. see GREEK
sun. see GREEK aichmalotos. (sunaichmalotos) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4869.htm - 6k

4887. sundeo -- to bind together
... be a fellow-prisoner. From sun and deo; to bind with, ie (passively) be a
fellow-prisoner (figuratively) -- be bound with. see GREEK sun. see GREEK deo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4887.htm - 6k

Philemon i. 17-19
... Ver.23. "Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee.". ... And he has
added, "my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus," instead of on account of Christ. ...
/.../homily iii philemon i 17-19.htm

Colossians iv. 5, 6
... "They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.". Ver.10. "Aristarchus
my fellow-prisoner saluteth you.". Nothing can surpass this praise. ...
/.../homily xi colossians iv 5.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... this epistle he had no personal acquaintance with the church to which it is addressed.*
Epaphras, a bishop of the Colossians, then his fellow prisoner at Rome ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

The Voyage and Shipwreck
... In his letter to the Colossians he afterward referred to the latter as his "fellow
prisoner" (Colossians 4:10); but it was from choice that Aristarchus shared ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 42 the voyage and.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians.
... [1151] He names Epaphras, of Colossae, his "dear fellow-servant" and "fellow-prisoner,"
as the teacher and faithful minister of the Christians in that place. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 94 the epistle to.htm

There are one or Two More Things on which He Wishes Condemnation ...
... And in the Commentary on Paul's Epistle to Philemon, at the place where he says
[2909] "Epaphras my fellow-prisoner greeteth you," some way down he says: ...
/.../40 there are one or.htm

Paul Having Been Sent Bound from Judea to Rome, Made his Defense ...
... Rome. [470] Aristarchus was with him, whom he also somewhere in his epistles
quite naturally calls his fellow-prisoner. [471] And ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxii paul having been sent.htm

Rom. xvi. 5
... fellow-captives. As in another passage also, "Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner."
(Colossians 4:10.) Then another praise besides. "Who ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi rom xvi 5.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... Arians, like Greeks in making a greater and a lesser God, [790]207. Aristarchus,
was brought up from Jerusalem fellow-prisoner with St. Paul, [791]310. ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

In the Regions Beyond
... in the words of cheer, "Do thyself no harm: for we are all here." Every man was
in his place, restrained by the power of God exerted through one fellow prisoner ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 21 in the regions.htm

Fellowprisoner (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fellowprisoner (2 Occurrences). ... Philemon 1:23 There
salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; (KJV). ...
/f/fellowprisoner.htm - 7k

Fellow-prisoner (2 Occurrences)
... Fellowprisoner, Fellow-prisoner. Fellow-prisoners . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Fellowprisoner, Fellow-prisoner. Fellow-prisoners . Reference Bible.
/f/fellow-prisoner.htm - 7k

Aristarchus (6 Occurrences)
... Best ruler, native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4), a companion of Paul (Acts 19:29;
27:2). He was Paul's "fellow-prisoner" at Rome (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24 ...
/a/aristarchus.htm - 10k

Greets (9 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus, my fellowprisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin
of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you ...
/g/greets.htm - 8k

Epaphras (3 Occurrences)
... He is also mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (1:23), where he is called by Paul
his "fellow-prisoner.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EPAPHRAS. ...
/e/epaphras.htm - 9k

Saluteth (7 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son ... Philemon 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee ...
/s/saluteth.htm - 8k

Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... household. (See NIV). Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner sends
greeting to you, and so does Barnabas's cousin Mark. You ...
/g/greetings.htm - 18k

Salute (48 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you ...
/s/salute.htm - 19k

Prisoner (87 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus, my fellowprisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin
of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you ...
/p/prisoner.htm - 42k

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