BACKGROUND:
Back still killing me today. Another short blog.
Timothy would come to see the Philippians after he found out the verdict of his trial; but Paul thought it was necessary to send Epaphroditus along immediately. Paul explained that Epaphroditus had fulfilled the mission for which the Philippian church had sent him. While in Rome, he had become extremely ill. After his recovery, Paul sent him back to Philippi, carrying this thank-you letter and news of Paul to share with them.
Epaphroditus had come from Philippi to Rome, acting as their messenger to deliver a financial gift from the Philippians to Paul and to care for Paul on the Philippians’ behalf. Epaphroditus may have been an elder in Philippi.
Epaphroditus had come not just to deliver money, but to minister to Paul’s spiritual needs. He may have been sent to Rome to remain with Paul indefinitely, ministering to and encouraging the imprisoned apostle. Like Timothy, he put another’s need ahead of his own. Epaphroditus came to serve Paul, but Paul felt it necessary to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi with this letter to assure the Philippians of Paul’s well-being after his severe illness.
Paul wanted the Philippians to know how highly he regarded Epaphroditus, so he characterized him with three names: (1) true brother, meaning fellow believer; (2) faithful worker, which means he too was working for God’s Kingdom; (3) courageous soldier, referring to the solidarity among believers who are fighting the same battle.
Communication happens so quickly in our world, but Epaphroditus couldn’t just pick up the phone or send an e-mail saying all was well. The Philippians had heard that Epaphroditus was ill, and word of their concern about him had gotten back to Rome (again, weeks elapsed as the news traveled the forty-day journey between the two cities). When he recovered, Epaphroditus was longing to see his friends and family in Philippi so they would know he was well. So Paul figured the best way to do that would be to send him home again.
The Philippians’ concern about Epaphroditus’s illness had been well founded, for he had been so ill that he almost died. While the apostles had been given the ability to heal, it was not a permanent gift to be used at will, otherwise, Paul would surely have healed his friend. Instead, Paul could do nothing but pray. Epaphroditus recovered because God had mercy on him as well as on Paul, who would have faced unbearable sorrow at the death of his friend.
What illness Epaphroditus had and how he regained his health are unknown. To Paul, these details were less important than the significance of the healing. God had mercy on both his servants—on Epaphroditus by healing him and returning him to ministry; on Paul by not adding the sorrow of bereaving a friend’s death on top of other sorrows rendered by his imprisonment.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
What does it take to care for another? Do you have to be a great student of the Bible? Do you need to possess a theological degree? What does it take? It takes heart. It takes love. It takes concern. Anyone can care for the needs of another. As I read today's passage - that's what stands out to me. I am so grateful for the people of COV. God is raising up an army of committed believers who go out of their way for one another. What a blessing this is for me. Keep on keeping on. Today, why don't you ask the Lord to show you someone that you can come alongside of and minister to.
Let me encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 1:1-10. See what it has to say about caring for others. I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.
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