Date: 10/31/18
Lesson #19
Title: Why Paul Felt It Necessary To Send Epaphroditus
• “Special Notes” and “Scripture” are shown as end notes.
• NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise.
Scripture: (Philippians 2:25-28, NIV)
(25) But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. (26) For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. (27) Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. (28) Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
Introduction
Having set before the Philippian church not only the example of Christ, but his own life as an apostle, and Timothy’s life of testimony, Paul now commends “Epaphroditus,” who had been sent by the Philippians to minister to him and to bring an offering. He is now being sent back to them with Paul’s commendation.
Although Timothy’s visit was delayed, “Epaphroditus” was to go immediately, taking with him the epistle Paul was writing.
There is a dramatic story behind this. When the Philippians heard that Paul was in prison, their warm hearts were moved to action. They sent a gift to him by the hand of “Epaphroditus.” What they could not personally do, because distance prevented them, they delegated to “Epaphroditus” to do for them. Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul’s personal servant and attendant. Clearly “Epaphroditus” was a brave man, for anyone who proposed to offer himself as the personal attendant of a man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of becoming involved in the same charge. In truth, “Epaphroditus” risked his life to serve Paul. The rest of the story is found in the following passage.
Commentary
(2:25) But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger,
Who is “Epaphroditus”? “Epaphroditus,” whose name means charming, is not the Epaphras mentioned in Colossians 1:7 and 4:12 [an individual who lived in Colosse], and we do not know any more about him than Paul tells us here. “Epaphroditus,” bore a name commonly used and frequently found in ancient literature, sometimes in its shortened form, Epaphras. [It has been supposed that “Epaphroditus” was the pastor of the church in Philippi]
In Paul’s glowing commendation of this dedicated servant of Christ, three terms [my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier] describe his relation to the apostle, and the word messenger his attachment to the Philippians. Paul loved “Epaphroditus” because he had the mind of Christ and he could trust him.
My brother in the faith, my co-worker in preaching, my fellow-soldier in adversity?please note that the three words are arranged in ascending order: common sympathy, common work, common danger in toil and suffering. For the apostle to recognize an ordinary layman with such a high commendation was generous of Paul and also expresses his appreciation for all Epaphroditus had done. It can be said of Epaphroditus, “We see the mind of Christ in him.” He was a man who could work with others, and this is certainly a great asset for those who want to lead a Christian life and serve God and man. It was one thing for a believer to work independently, having everything his own way. It was far more difficult to work with others, to play “second fiddle,” to do common or menial work, to allow for individual differences, to submerge one’s own desires and opinions for the good of the group. By doing the hard work, “Epaphroditus” humbled himself. But God exalted him by recording his faithful service in Philippians 2 for all future generations to read. Let us be fellow-workers and fellow-soldiers.
Paul knew that it was time to send “Epaphroditus” back home, and in all probability he was the bearer of this letter. But there was a problem. The Philippian Church had sent “Epaphroditus” to stay with Paul, and if he came back home, there would be those who would say he was a quitter. But the apostle counteracted that by giving him a strong testimonial, which will silence any possible criticism of his return. In this testimonial every word is carefully chosen. The gist of the testimonial is “Give a man like that a welcome home,” he says, “Honor him for he hazarded his life for Christ.
whom you sent to take care of my needs.
As the apostle or appointed delegate of the Philippian church (2 Cor. 8:23){a], “Epaphroditus” was sent to perform a sacrificial service for Paul by presenting him with their gift of money (4:18){b] and ministering to his needs in prison on their behalf (see v 30){c].
While ministering to Paul, “Epaphroditus” had become ill?perhaps with the notorious Roman fever which sometimes swept the city like a scourge?and was close to death; and now both he and Paul were concerned that the Philippians had heard reports of his illness without reports of his recovery. Paul explains that “Epaphroditus” had indeed been sick, in fact, he had almost died, and that his recovery was an evidence of the mercy of God on him, and also on himself, for he feared that the death of “Epaphroditus” would bring additional sorrow upon him in his imprisonment. But God in His mercy spared the life of “Epaphroditus” and so spared Paul yet more sorrow. It is comforting to know that the heart of God is filled with mercy, that is, with loving kindness and active pity. In Christ he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
(2:26) And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
This is the reason Paul has decided to send “Epaphroditus,” back to Philippi at once. It is unlikely that Epaphroditus would have traveled the 700 miles to Rome alone, especially when he was bringing a sum of money to Paul. So if he became ill shortly after their arrival, his companions would take back the unwelcome news on their return to Philippi. This illness naturally intensified his longing to see all his brethren at home, and he was also greatly distressed to realize that news of his condition would have filled them with grief.
(2:27) Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Paul here movingly reveals his own reaction to Epaphroditus’ illness, which was so serious that he nearly died. But in spite of his anxiety for the life of his friend, Paul did not heal him by exercising “the signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 12:12), because even in that charismatic era the apostles could not perform miracles whenever they felt so inclined. Their will was subject to God’s will. But in graciously restoring Epaphroditus, God showed mercy both to him and to Paul, who was thus spared from being snowed under by “sorrow upon sorrow.”
“But God had mercy on him.” Paul attributes “Epaphroditus” recovery to God’s mercy, and adds that, if he had died, his own troubles would have been increased; for the “sorrow upon sorrow” must mean the sorrow that would have been Paul’s if his friend had died, plus the bitterness of his own imprisonment.
Paul’s testimonial is making it easy for Epaphroditus to return home. There is something very wonderful here. It is touching to think of Paul, himself in the very shadow of death, in prison and awaiting judgment, showing such Christian consideration for Epaphroditus. He is facing death, and yet it mattered to him that Epaphroditus should not meet with embarrassment when he went home. Paul was a true Christian in his attitude toward others; for he was never so immersed in his own troubles, that he had no time to think of his friends’ troubles.
This section is valuable to us for the light it throws on the subject of divine healing:
1. First of all, sickness is not always the result of sin. Here is a man who is sick because of the faithful discharge of his duties (see v. 30), “ . . .for the work of Christ he came close to death.”
2. Secondly, we learn that it is not always God’s will to heal instantly and miraculously. It appears that Epaphroditus’ illness was prolonged and his recovery gradual (2 Tim. 4:20; 3 john 2).
3. Thirdly, we learn healing is a mercy from God and not something we can demand from Him as being our right.
(28) Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.
The Philippians had intended that Epaphroditus should stay with Paul and attend to his needs in prison, but circumstances alter plans, and Paul now deems it best to send their brother back so that they may rejoice in his safe return. By sharing in the joy of this reunion, Paul’s sorrow will be lessened.
A better translation of this verse may be: “I am in greater haste to send him.” The reason follows: “so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.” I wonder if the value of Epaphroditus was not properly appreciated at Philippi, since Paul goes on to say: “So then, welcome him in the Lord”?give him a real Christian welcome?“and honor people like him” (2:29).
The moral of the story: There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble with his life to serve Christ and men.
Scripture and Special Notes
[a} “As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ” (2 Cor. 8:23).
[b} “I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4:18). In Hebrews 13:16 almsgiving is also described as a sacrifice with which God is well pleased. The first and chiefest offering we can make is ourselves: "We offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies" (comp. Romans 12:1); in that chief offering is involved the lesser gift of alms.
[c} “because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me” (Phil. 2:30). The sense is "having hazarded his life; literally, having gambled with his life, not merely having risked it, but risked it recklessly.
