July 19th, 2023 – Late Wednesday Afternoon
“But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.” ~Philippians 2:25-30
Paul offered some significant words of praise (and thanksgiving) in regards to Epaphroditus (one common way to pronounce his name is like this: Ee-pafro-die-tus); we would do well to notice the impact this little known, but well-loved, disciple of Christ had on both Paul and the Philippian church. His example is perhaps much more important than we have ever considered to this point…
Paul identifies Epaphroditus as his “brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier”. However, there is no indication that Epaphroditus did any public speaking, writing, or any kind of “ministry” outside of what Paul says in our passage here today and then in Philippians 4:18. In fact, Epaphroditus is not even mentioned specifically anywhere else in Scripture! So why would Paul claim him as such an invaluable “fellow” worker and soldier whom he would have sorrowed over if he had lost him to death?
The answer is found in verses 29-30: “Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.” Epaphroditus had earnestly labored for the work of Christ – perhaps “only” by being the faithful messenger and minister of the Philippians to Paul and his needs and vice-versa – thereby showing to him that his life mattered not if his labor (and even death) would profit the kingdom of God. And all this just to be an encouragement and support to Paul and the Philippians! Epaphroditus did not consider his own welfare important; rather, his love for the Philippians, for Paul, and, ultimately, for Christ, dictated his very life, perseverance, and devotion.
Do we consider the welfare of our fellow believers as more important than (and worthy of) our own health, efforts, and lives? Is the cause of Christ important enough to us to risk our lives in order to provide for and encourage those within the Body of Christ who are within our sphere of influence? Epaphroditus played what we often might consider a small and insignificant role, yet he played that role in a very significant way with God’s strength and for God’s glory. Let us not despise nor overlook the “little” things (like ministering to each other) that have huge ramifications in and for the kingdom of God.