6951: Epaphroditus Phil. 2:25-30
Today we want to get acquainted with a young man by the name of Epaphroditus. He’s only mentioned by name twice in Scripture and both of these are in the book of Philippians.
Let me read Philippians 2, verses 25-30, in which we first find mention of Epaphroditus:
Phil. 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
Phil. 2:26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
Phil. 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.
Phil. 2:28 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.
Phil. 2:29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,
Phil. 2:30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Here we first learn of Epaphroditus, a messenger from the church in Philippi to the Apostle Paul during his first Roman imprisonment. Through him the church in Philippi had sent a gift of support to Paul who was imprisoned in Rome. We know nothing about where this Christian brother stayed, but he had the freedom to come and go in order to assist Paul with his physical needs.
But while in Rome Epaphroditus has become ill and almost died. So his ministry to Paul’s need was interrupted by a serious illness. We do not know who cared for him. However, there were other Christians in Rome who also were ministering to Paul. Perhaps some of these ministered to Epaphroditus in his illness.
Paul says that God had mercy both on Epaphroditus and upon Paul by sparing Epaphroditus from death. We sense that a real bond of friendship has been born between these two — one a prisoner, that was Paul, and one a caring friend, that was Epaphroditus.
Understand that Epaphroditus was not a prisoner. He was free to come and go to minister to the needs of Paul. From the passage we assume that Epaphroditus had recently recovered from his serious illness. Now he was concerned about those back in Philippi who might have learned of his illness, and who would be disturbed about his welfare.
The bonds of friendship had been strongly forged between Paul and Epaphroditus. Notice Paul calls him "my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier." These are not terms used between casual acquaintances. There are bonds of heart between these two which cannot be explained outside of Christian brotherhood.
Notice that Epaphroditus was disturbed that the people back home might be agitated and worried about his welfare.
Isn’t that like Christian love and concern. This is not a selfish concern. No! This is a concern about the welfare of those far away having to endure anxiety and concern for the messenger whom they had sent to Paul. This was Christian concern.
Notice communication had taken place. Those in Philippi had heard he was ill. Now Epaphroditus is distressed that they suffer anguish over his state of health. That’s Christian love in action.
Paul states God had mercy both on Epaphroditus and himself. God’s mercy and healing grace allowed Epaphroditus to be restored to health, while God’s mercy and grace allowed Paul to be spared from having this Christian brother and friend die while rendering service to him.
So plans are formulated to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi to his family and friends, but as he returns he will be trusted to carry this entire epistle to those Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi.
The return of Epaphroditus to Philippi would relieve some of the concern at each end of the line. Paul would be spared from anxiety and concern, while those brothers & sisters in Philippi would be relieved when Epaphroditus arrived back home.
Paul encourages those family and friends back home to honor men like Epaphroditus who did not hold back from serving because of the risk attached.
6951.