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.

2:27   Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Paul has been speaking of Epaphroditus, a man who travelled from the Philippian church, a messenger sent by the much loved church Paul founded on his second missionary trip. Paul spoke of Epaphroditus longing for them in an earlier verse, and his concern for them, even though he was staring death in the eye. This is an amazing reflection of the Lord in that, even in suffering and weakness, this brother was concerned about others, and not only others, but the burden his sickness was adding to the Philippian’s lives.

Where do we find believers like this, that sacrifice an opportunity to gain pity, in order to show love?

Yet Paul speaks not only of Epaphroditus sickness and it’s impact on the Philippians, but also his own experience with Epaphroditus. I do not know of any evidence of Epaphroditus meeting Paul prior to his travels to Rome for the church. No mention of him in Acts, and he is only referred to in this epistle, yet Epaphroditus in this one mission trip has a major impact on the great apostle Paul.

Paul speaks of avoiding “sorrow upon sorrow” by the mercy of God, in raising Epaphroditus from the sick bed. Death appeared to be imminent, and Epaphroditus did not have a general hospital to visit for care. Possibly his only friend was a man who was an enemy of the state, who was in jail for preaching another King other than Caesar, waiting on his death sentence.

Both these men were looking death in the eye, and what was their response? Both expressed a compassion for others, entering into the trial of those suffering.

The term “sorrow” is well known amongst us – We have all had sorrow at some point in our lives, and to try to describe it at this time seems fruitless. One thing I do find very instructive is the physical effect sorrow can have on the body. Consider.

Luke 22:45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,

What specifically caused the disciples to fall asleep on the night of the Messiah’s betrayal? Luke tells us it was due to sorrow. Sorrow caused the exhaustion of the disciples, resulting in their passing out when the Messiah needed them most.

Grief. Sorrow. It is not merely an emotion we suffer though at times. Sorrow affects our physical lives. Sorrow not only impacts the physical body, it also crushes the spirit!

Proverbs 15:13 – A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

In the midst of this “sorrow upon sorrow” God had mercy on Paul by extending mercy to Epaphroditus. His mercy is abundant and one act of mercy from the hand of God ripples through to many.

Let us be merciful towards both our brother and our enemy! It is the Lord’s way, and both Paul and Epaphroditus lived in it.

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