Unselfishness, Part 2
Philippians 2v25-30
Paul has been writing from his prison, promising to send Timothy to visit Philippi to give the church there news of how his situation was developing, and to bring back news from them. He said he would only do so, "as soon as I see how things go with me." (verse 23). Now he writes:
Philippians 2v25-30
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother,
co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take
care of my needs.
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
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.
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 sorrow.
So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him,
because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up
for the help you yourselves could not give me.
The church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus with a message to Paul, together with gifts for him. It's likely that Paul's letter to them was a response to that message and a "thank you" letter for those gifts. Chapter 4, verse 10 says, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to so it." Chapter 4 verse 16 says, "I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent."
It's clear that Epaphroditus himself, not just the gifts he brought, was a great help to Paul, who describes him as "my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier". He was probably a leader in the church at Philippi and, while he was with Paul, he worked for the Gospel. He probably supported Paul, meeting his needs in prison, as well as supporting the work of the Gospel in the geographical area around the prison (probably Rome).
We don't know what happened to make Epaphroditus ill, but Paul tells us twice in this passage that he "almost died", showing his deep concern for this co-worker for Christ.
There is no doubt that Epaphroditus, like Timothy (see last week's study) was of great service to Paul, and of great comfort to him in his very unpleasant circumstances. Nevertheless, Paul was willing to send both Epaphroditus and Timothy to Philippi, for their comfort, demonstrating the true unselfishness of the mature Christian.
Paul knew that the Philippians would be glad to see Epaphroditus, and to see that he had recovered from his illness. He also knew that he, Paul, would experience less sorrow on their behalf.
(The Greek word alypos, which I have translated as "sorrow" here occurs only once in the Bible. The NIV translates it as "anxiety" and the ESV says "be less anxious". However, the NKJV and Young's Literal Translation have "be less sorrowful". We should remember that in Chapter 4 verse 6, Paul tells us "Do not be anxious about anything". The Greek word translated anxious there is merimnao, obviously a completely different word from alypos. Paul would not both write about his own anxiety and tell us not to be anxious, especially in the same letter.)
Paul describes himself as "sorrowful" and Epaphroditus as "distressed" because of their concern that the Philippians "heard he [Epaphroditus] was ill". The mature Christian is concerned not only for our brothers' and sisters' spiritual and physical well-being but also for their emotional well-being.
Paul could have included in his letter to the church in Philippi an instruction not to be anxious/concerned/sorrowful about Epaphroditus, telling them to trust God and get on with their lives. Instead, he sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi, so they could rejoice with him.
Finally, Paul reminded the Philippians to "honour people like [Epaphroditus]" - people who risk their lives for the work of the Gospel of Christ. Today, there are many thousands of missionaries all over the world who do exactly that. Let us hold them in high esteem.
This passage remind us about many aspects of Christian brotherly love:
- The Philippians' willingness to send Epaphroditus with a letter and gifts to help Paul in his time of need.
- Paul's willing self-sacrifice, being willing to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to Philippi, even though he needed their help and support.
- Paul's hearty commendation of Epaphroditus as his "brother, co-worker and fellow soldier", as "your messenger", and as one who "risked his life" and "almost died for the work of Christ".
- Epaphroditus's longing for the Philippians and his distress on their behalf, even when he was recovering from near-fatal illness.
- Paul's sorrow in the knowledge that the Philippians were concerned for Epaphroditus.
God never stops loving us, and a mature Christian never stops loving his brothers and sisters in Christ, whatever happens, no matter how or why we're separated, no matter what suffering we have to endure.