Prayer: Lord God Almighty, we pray today that You will introduce Christian people into our lives who will invest in our spiritual futures. People like Epaphroditus who will love us unconditionally. Believers who will be honest with us and direct us onto the path of righteousness. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Main Scripture: Read Philippians 2:25-30.
Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore, I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me (Philippians 2:25-30, NKJV).
Associated Scriptures:
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God (Luke 5:18-25).
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
Correlative Quotes:
(Proverbs 18:24. “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother) – “His (Christ’s) knowledge of us is. His sympathy with us and his support of us are such as man cannot render. He can pity us with a perfect tenderness of spirit, and he can touch our hearts with a sustaining and healing hand as the kindest and wisest of men cannot. – H. D. M. Spence and Joseph S. Exell
Epaphroditus carried the Philippians’ financial gift to Paul. Most scholars also believe that the Philippian church intended for him to remain with Paul for the duration of his imprisonment to minister to his physical needs. So Epaphroditus was the Philippians’ minister of mercy to Paul. His last act of service to Paul was to carry this letter back to Philippi. Beyond these details, we know nothing about this man whom Paul gives a very high commendation of. – Brian McGuffin
How grateful is the apostle (Paul) for that gift of love! What gladness they had put into his heart! Now he says: But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Charles Spurgeon
Study:
INTRODUCTION
We don’t know much about Epaphroditus. Our knowledge is limited to what is written and implied in this passage. We will construct a textual profile of this incredibly unique man.
Paul is a prisoner. He has been incarcerated in his own house by the Roman government for two years. The Romans have chained Paul to one of their soldiers. Realizing he could no longer work to earn his living as a tent maker, the Philippian church wanted to send him money and someone who could meet his needs. So, they collected sacrificial gifts of love and they sent it to Paul via Epaphroditus.
THE TRUSTED SERVANT
1. Servant: Epaphroditus was a man with the heart of a servant. For him to simply meet all the needs of the Apostle Paul would indicate that he saw himself in the role of coming alongside to serve. The Philippian congregation chose him as its ambassador.
2. Courageous: Epaphroditus was a man of great courage because he knew exactly what he was walking into. He knew how the Roman government felt about Paul. If in fact Paul's life was taken away, it would probably be a matter of course for them to consider taking the lives of those who served alongside him.
3. Godly man: Epaphroditus became Paul’s companion in ministry. Epaphroditus was probably one of Paul’s converts. His name tells us that he came out of a pagan environment. The name Epaphroditus comes from the goddess Aphrodite. Neither Christians nor Jews would ever name a child for a goddess.
There were five titles that Paul gives to Epaphroditus: (vs. 25) The first three titles express his relationship to Paul and the final two indicate Epaphroditus’ importance to the Philippian church.
1. My brother: They were Spiritual Brothers in the sense of their salvation experience. Paul and Epaphroditus shared the same spiritual Father, a common new birth, and a special relationship in Christ. Together, as brothers in Christ, they enjoyed the hope of eternal life. The word brother not only means that they carried a common spiritual nature but, as friends, that they were closer than brothers.
2. My Fellow Worker: As fellow believers, Epaphroditus was Paul’s companion in Christian labor. When he arrived, Epaphroditus came alongside Paul to assist in the continuation and expansion of the gospel. What Paul could not do while incarcerated, he continued through Epaphroditus.
3. My Fellow Soldier: They both battled against Satan and his angels. The conflict included the Roman authorities and nationalized Jews. Finally, Paul and Epaphroditus experienced struggles with Roman citizens, who resisted the gospel, and itinerant preachers, who taught heresy. It was difficult for Paul to fight this fight, being chained to a Roman soldier.
4. Your Messenger: The Philippian church loved Paul deeply. Therefore, they sent a man who would be enthusiastic about working closely with Paul. Epaphroditus represented the godliness of that congregation. We can assume that Epaphroditus was a man of genuine determination, and a deep love and devotion to Paul, and to the Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Your Minister: Sacrificial Friendship: Verse 30 (The Message), tells us this: “Remember the ministry to me that you started but weren't able to complete? Well, in the process of finishing up that work, he (Epaphroditus) put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.” This verse pictures sacrificial love. It represents is a love that we all need to practice every hour of every day. It isn’t easy to love the unlovable. However, Jesus loved us most when we were at our worst (Romans 5:8).
Summary Statement:
In society, today, having close friends is an anomaly. The lack of trust in communities and at work in the world, make it almost impossible to rely on any single relationship. In searching for a trusted friend and helper, we must be careful. Those we hope will be confidants to often turn on us when times are difficult. Physical illness or emotional failure can often cause separation.
In our troubles we expect comfort and relief from our relations, but sometimes there is a friend, that is nothing like us, the bonds of whose esteem and love prove stronger than those of nature, and, when it comes to the trial, He will do more for us than a brother will. Christ is a friend to all believers that sticks closer than a brother; to Him therefore let them show themselves friendly. – Matthew Henry
Let us sing unto the Lord as long as we live, and perhaps some weary sinner who has discovered the emptiness of sinful pleasure will say to himself, “Why, after all, there must be something real about the joy of these Christians! Let me go and learn how I may have it.” And when he comes and sees it in the light of your gladsome countenance, he will be likely to learn it, God helping him, so as never to forget it. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says the apostle, for joy is a most influential grace, and every child of God ought to possess it in a high degree. I want you to notice, dear friends, that this rejoicing is commanded. It is not a matter that is left to your option. It is not set before you as a desirable thing which you can do without; it is a positive precept of the Holy Spirit to all who are in the Lord: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” – Charles Spurgeon
Proverbs 18:24 (CSB) explains: “One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” However, there is one friend who will remain with us no matter what we do or say. He is closer than a brother. His name is Jesus.
Lessons within the Lesson:
What was Epaphroditus doing that was so important to Paul?
What traits did Epaphroditus display in his life that served Paul?
How do we incorporate these traits into our lives?
How would these traits bring balance to our lives?
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