Epaphroditus
“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” Philippians 2.25
“Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” Philippians 2.25
His name means “lovely” or “charming.” It is associated with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. The appellation suggests both an inward and outward beauty – someone who would be a pleasure to be near. A supposed abbreviation of his name could be Epaphrás meaning lovely. (I personally believe these to be two different men.) I wonder sometimes if his mother may have called him “Epi.”
As I get older, I sometimes wonder how I will be remembered – if, indeed, I’ll be remembered at all. There have been great names in Christendom who will be remembered throughout the ages; however, there are multitudes of the faithful who, apart from having been recorded in the scrolls of heaven, will never come to mind. Of the grand majority of faithful believers who endured, only a small number have been recorded in the annals of history; and, even a smaller list appears in God’s Word.
Epaphroditus’ name appears only in the letter to the Philippians and there with few accolades attached. Had this epistle not been included within the Canon of Holy Writ, we may have never heard of him. He was not a pastor of a large congregation. He wrote no books that were considered to be inspired. He isn’t mentioned to have had any special talents. He held no public office nor was he a public figure.
However, he is remembered by Paul and the Philippians as a special person in their ministry.
He was Paul’s spiritual brother. God never intended for the believer to be cloistered away somewhere in solitude. We were re-created by God’s Spirit to be a shining light in a world of darkness. Being a pastor, I can relate closely to this because pastors are expected to be encouragers and often have very few with whom we can be completely open. Epaphroditus was more than a friend to Paul; he was his brother.
He was a companion in labor with Paul and the Philippian congregation. I strongly believe that each child of God – each born-again believer in Jesus Christ – each follower of the Son of God – has a specific place in a local assembly of believers. I find no evidence anywhere in the Bible that supports the idea that allows someone to become a part of the family of God with the specific job of holding down a seat on Sunday mornings. The gifts of the Spirit do not include idleness. Epaphroditus was someone who was personally involved in the ministry of the local church in Philippi.
He was also a fellow-soldier. While a companion in labor suggests working together, the term “fellow-soldier” suggests someone who contends for the faith. Working in the struggles associated with the spread of the ministry. Epaphroditus fought alongside both Paul and the Philippians against the world and its philosophy holding forth the Word of Life to a needy world.
He was a trusted messenger who carried good news between Paul and the Philippian church – between fellow laborers and fellow soldiers. He was an encourager who also ministered to Paul’s personal needs.
I write this in the month of October, 2024 – Pastor Appreciation month. Are you an example of the spirit of Epaphroditus? Someone who encourages your pastor? Someone who works diligently alongside him as he labors in the Word and tries to build up the household of faith? Are you faithful to the services? Are you early to the services as you seek a blessing? Are you a positive member of the fellowship?
Should your name be included in one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, how would he describe you?
As I get older, I sometimes wonder how I will be remembered – if, indeed, I’ll be remembered at all. There have been great names in Christendom who will be remembered throughout the ages; however, there are multitudes of the faithful who, apart from having been recorded in the scrolls of heaven, will never come to mind. Of the grand majority of faithful believers who endured, only a small number have been recorded in the annals of history; and, even a smaller list appears in God’s Word.
Epaphroditus’ name appears only in the letter to the Philippians and there with few accolades attached. Had this epistle not been included within the Canon of Holy Writ, we may have never heard of him. He was not a pastor of a large congregation. He wrote no books that were considered to be inspired. He isn’t mentioned to have had any special talents. He held no public office nor was he a public figure.
However, he is remembered by Paul and the Philippians as a special person in their ministry.
He was Paul’s spiritual brother. God never intended for the believer to be cloistered away somewhere in solitude. We were re-created by God’s Spirit to be a shining light in a world of darkness. Being a pastor, I can relate closely to this because pastors are expected to be encouragers and often have very few with whom we can be completely open. Epaphroditus was more than a friend to Paul; he was his brother.
He was a companion in labor with Paul and the Philippian congregation. I strongly believe that each child of God – each born-again believer in Jesus Christ – each follower of the Son of God – has a specific place in a local assembly of believers. I find no evidence anywhere in the Bible that supports the idea that allows someone to become a part of the family of God with the specific job of holding down a seat on Sunday mornings. The gifts of the Spirit do not include idleness. Epaphroditus was someone who was personally involved in the ministry of the local church in Philippi.
He was also a fellow-soldier. While a companion in labor suggests working together, the term “fellow-soldier” suggests someone who contends for the faith. Working in the struggles associated with the spread of the ministry. Epaphroditus fought alongside both Paul and the Philippians against the world and its philosophy holding forth the Word of Life to a needy world.
He was a trusted messenger who carried good news between Paul and the Philippian church – between fellow laborers and fellow soldiers. He was an encourager who also ministered to Paul’s personal needs.
I write this in the month of October, 2024 – Pastor Appreciation month. Are you an example of the spirit of Epaphroditus? Someone who encourages your pastor? Someone who works diligently alongside him as he labors in the Word and tries to build up the household of faith? Are you faithful to the services? Are you early to the services as you seek a blessing? Are you a positive member of the fellowship?
Should your name be included in one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, how would he describe you?
Copyright © 2024 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/