EPAPHRODITUS

GRACE EMBASSY

                              EPAPHRODITUS

  (Philippians 2:25-30)

Epaphroditus was one of the lay members of the Philippians Church.

He was the messenger of the Philippians Church through whom the Church (at Philippi) sent their material offerings to Paul (Php 4:18). Also, he was sent by the Church as a person dedicated to be with him (i.e. Paul) in Rome to help him during his confinement.

Epaphroditus became dangerously ill while his stay in Rome and was almost to the point of death

Epaphroditus did not quit Paul citing selfish reasons

Firstly, Epaphroditus was very brave to have accepted the call of helping out Paul, who was accused of a capital crime. This reason itself would have been sufficient for most to stay away from Paul.

However, Epaphroditus, bravely faced this fact, travelled all the way from Philippi to Rome (distance!) and stayed in Rome to help Paul. After this he fell dangerously ill. Even though Epaphroditus became seriously ill, he did not immediately return to Philippi ("he was ill" - verse 27). This could have been a very justifiable pretext to leave Paul. But Epaphroditus did not do that. This shows that Epahroditus took his call seriously and loved his fellow brother, Paul, unto death.

Jn.15:13 Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.

•         THE TWO QUESTIONS ONE MUST ASK HIM/HERSELF

1. Do I think about others even when I am seriously ill?

2. Do I love my brother in a similar way that I can lay down my life for him?

Three titles given to Epaphroditus by Paul

My Brother: Epaphroditus was a true brother, who loved Paul more than his life

My Fellow Worker: Epaphroditus was not just an attendant of Paul. But he also worked like Paul to spread the Gospel during his tenure in Rome. His stay with Paul gave him valuable experience on how to spread the Gospel. It also shows that Paul did not resist from delegating responsibilities to Church laymen just because he was an Apostle. In fact he built them up to such an extent that they could work the same way as he did. Paul was a great leader who brought out the best in people. (KJV mentions "fellow-worker" as a "Companion in Labor")

My Fellow Soldier: It assumes great significance that Paul should call Epaphroditus a fellow soldier. This is because a soldier is one who is on duty under constant danger. This term seeks to emphasize that Epaphroditus worked with Paul, shoulder-to-shoulder, in carrying out the work of the Lord and was ready to face the dangers that came with it. (Remember The Way ran contrary to the Roman culture and hence the situation for any Christian worker would have been hostile.)

Am I willing to be a soldier and not just a brother or a fellow worker? Am I willing to go to places, if the Lord calls me, where there may be hostility to the preaching of the Gospel? Like Morocco, Afghanistan or Central Asian countries.

TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS?

1. Do I remember people who have played an important part in my life the same way as Epaphroditus did?

2. Am I just attached to one kind of people group (or place) when the Lord may be calling to serve some other people group (some other place)?

Epaphroditus, above all, loved and trusted God very much.

 

When illness struck him even after Epaphroditus has taken such a brave decision to serve along with Paul in Rome, Epaphroditus' trust in God's love for him must have been tested. But Epaphroditus passed the test by staying the course in Rome and continuing his work for the Lord.

It shows two things:

God can strike us with unexpected things to test our faith.

God after testing also heals us and brings us peace and joy. (verse 27, 1 Pet 5:10)

 

1Pe 5:10  And the God of all grace, who called you y to his eternal glory z in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, a will himself restore you and make you strong, b firm and steadfast.

 

Epaphroditus on his return must have had a blessed time with the home Church after his time of testing.

Questions for the Generals

Am I patient during a time of testing?

Can I accept unexpected things that happen to me as God's will?

 

 

Epaphroditus possessed all the qualities of an ideal behavior even though he was not one of the prominent figures of the early Church.



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