After telling the
Philippians that he was sending Timothy to them to check on their
progress, Paul wrote that he trusted in the Lord that he would see
them as well. Even though his fate was indeterminate at that point,
Paul still desired to visit the church members. In chapter two and
verse twenty-five Paul mentions Epaphroditus and shares many of the
qualities of which the Philippians are well aware. We read:
Yet I supposed it
necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in
labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered
to my wants.
The
verse begins, “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus,...” Paul employs an interesting phrase as he
begins to speak of “Epaphroditus” which means “lovely”.
He wrote, “Yet I supposed it necessary” which seems to
imply that he was a little hesitant in sending him to them. We
learned in the past that those who served faithfully with Paul the
apostle were a little harder for him to send away. Epaphroditus was
just such a man as we learn in the following parts of the verse.
The
verse continues, “my brother, and companion in labor,...”
Paul begins his description of
Epaphroditus by calling him “my brother”
which refers to “a fellow believer, united to another by the
bond of affection, or brethren in Christ”. Those who believe in
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior belong to the family of God,
and therefore there are many brothers and sisters of whom
Epaphroditus was one unto Paul. He adds, “and companion in
labor” which is the Greek word “synergos” from
which we get our English word “synergy”. Paul worked hand in hand
with Epaphroditus in the sharing of the gospel, and this is possibly
another reason it was so difficult to let him go.
The
verse goes on to say, “and fellow-soldier, but your
messenger,...” In addition to
being a brother and companion in labor, Paul called Epaphroditus a
“fellow-soldier”.
A “fellow-soldier”
was “an associate in
labors and conflicts for the cause of Christ”. When the battles
raged and conflicts arose because the gospel was shared, Epaphroditus
fought alongside Paul like a soldier in an army. Paul also referred
to Epaphroditus as “your messenger”
which is the word “apostolos” and
means “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders”.
Although Epaphroditus was of great help to Paul, ultimately he was
the “messenger”
of the Philippians.
Finally
the verse says, “and he that ministered to my wants.” As
though he desired to cap Epaphroditus' traits with simplicity and
humility, Paul told the Philippians that Epaphroditus “ministered
to my wants”. He simply took care of Paul, and whenever there
was an opportunity for Epaphroditus to meet a need which Paul had, he
met it. Although this trait may seem simple, sometimes the humility
found within someone who meets the needs of another is one of their
greatest traits.
Five
descriptions are given by Paul of Epaphroditus – brother,
companion, fellow-soldier, messenger, and minister. Do we possess
these traits? Are we a brother or sister to someone who is in the
faith? Have we been their companion or fellow-soldier when sharing
the gospel? Would we be considered as anyone's messenger or minister?
As we think about these qualities found within Epaphroditus, perhaps
we will discover areas in our own lives that will be inspired by him,
and may the Lord Jesus add to all who are willing the humility to
serve Him in this faithful manner.
Next
time Paul says more about
Epaphroditus,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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