For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow. For this particular verse I would like to provide two posts, specifically due to the multiple issues dealt with in relation to Paul, Epaphroditus and the church back in Philippi.

2:25   I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

In my earlier post on this verse, we discussed Paul’s selfless attitude, reflecting the very truth he wrote about just a few verses earlier

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

As mentioned earlier, this post will continue with our discussion on Paul’s opinion of Epaphroditus. Remember that Epaphroditus had been sent to Paul as an apostle of the church to provide funds for Paul’s ministry and supply encouragement from his friends in that small church.

My brother

Epaphroditus was a brother in the Lord to Paul, one that was related to him in the Lord and that foundational truth brought about the requirement for a certain way of thinking by Paul. The person, not the present, nor the sickness, was the focus of his attention, and for Epaphroditus, his status as a brother brought great joy to Paul.

My fellow worker

Paul recognized Epaphroditus as a fellow worker. Paul focused on Epaphroditus work in the Lord and not his sickness in relation to Paul and his needs. Paul elevated Epaphroditus to that of a fellow worker, or a companion in the work of the gospel.

My fellow soldier

Paul goes on in describing Epaphroditus as a fellow soldier. Paul only uses this term twice in his writings, the other time in describing Archippus, in the personal letter to Philemon. (See Philemon 1:2). To be a fellow soldier implies a battle, a war and the potential for suffering in the fight. May it have been that Epaphroditus had become weakened and susceptible to this sickness due to his travels? In other words, if Epaphroditus had stayed home and safe, would he have experienced the sickness, with the associated stress, fears and conflicts in his mission to Paul?

Some think that Epaphroditus was a retired Roman soldier and that Paul’s description of Epaphroditus used this history to remind the Philippians of his discipline and training, his focus on mission and willingness to put service over self.

Your messenger

The Philippians sent Epaphroditus. He was their ἀπόστολος apóstolos. He was a sent one, on a mission based on the decisions of the church, and submitting to the churches will, ventured out to find Paul and deliver a blessing. If he was a retired soldier as suggested above, this mission the church gave him lodged in his mind as the goal to attain. Failure was not an option for the soldier, and with anything less than success, a possible sense of shame may have settled on Epaphroditus. Paul wanted to remind the Philippians that this attitude must not be maintained in their thoughts. Epaphroditus was the church’s responsibility in sending him, and he suffered due to it. The Philippian church needed to recognize this and respond properly to him in their attitudes

Your minister

Epaphroditus was the Philippians minister. This term is not the one expected, for before I did a search, I expected διάκονος (diákonos) to turn up. Surprisingly this did not happen. The term Paul uses in describing Epaphroditus is λειτουργός (leitourgós). This term speaks of a public servant, sometimes in relation to taxes and financial issues (See Romans 13:6).

I suspect Epaphroditus association with funds may be intentional, reminding the Philippians of his core mission, that of supplying funds to Paul, of which he was successful.

Paul does not communicate the slightest failure in Epaphroditus performing his mission, only describing him in glowing terms. As we will see in a future installment of this series, Paul clearly laid his wishes for the Philippians in their reception of their minister. They were to love and honor this man who risked his life for the church.

How do you handle seeming disappointments in others? As Paul exhibits in this passage, he considers Epaphroditus, his character, and his relationship with the church back home, and not uncontrollable outward circumstances that effected his ministry to him.

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