‘Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has much labour for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.'
See Colossians 1:7. Epaphras may well have founded the Colossian church, and here we learn of his continued concern for them and their fellow churches in the area. He strives (agonises) for them in his prayers, as Paul also does (Colossians 2:1).
‘That you may stand fast, perfect, and be assured (fully persuaded) in all the will of God.' Paul points out that Epaphras is siding with him in his concern for their true understanding of the Gospel. He too is concerned that they should ‘stand fast' against error as those who are matured Christians (perfect) and be fully persuaded in their own minds of the truth of Paul's teaching which was revealing to them the true will of God. For that was what was really important. That they may know the will of God.
‘He has much labour for you.' At this stage mainly in agonising prayer.
‘And for those in Laodicea and for those in Hierapolis.' These three churches clearly have close association (with Colossae easily the smallest). It may be that Epaphras founded them all. Certainly he is equally concerned for them all.