Philippians 2:25-30
The poet Virgil
first suggested caution when faced with a Greek bearing gifts. When it comes to large wooden horses that
might be sound advice, but Paul had found that one Greek gift-bearer was a man
of commendable character.
Look at how Paul describes
Epaphroditus:
1.
Brother
If
Timothy was a "son" to Paul, Epaphroditus was like a brother. This may suggest the two men were close in
age.
“Brother”
is a term showing the riches of our new relationship with Christ. Epaphroditus--is derived from the name of the
Greek goddess Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans).
Although the name came to mean "lovely" or
"charming" it originally meant "devoted to Aphrodite". His parents were probably worshippers of the
goddess; no Jewish couple would have given their son this name.
We don't know when
Epaphroditus was converted, but we do know that Paul, the Jew, had found a
brother in this man whose heritage was so different from his own.
[In the United
States, February is “Black History Month,” a time for celebrating the
contributions of African-Americans to our history and culture.[1] We will probably hear Dr. Martin Luther
King’s words:
I have a dream that one day on
the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former
slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.
Of course,
Reverend King knew such a table already existed. We call it the Lord’s Table, that place
where Christians meet to celebrate Jesus’ work on our behalf, work to bring us
salvation and reconciliation—reconciliation to God and to each other. Of course, Reverend King also knew
Christians, black and white, too often forgot what their shared faith was
supposed to do for their day-to-day living, forgot the kind of society Christ
wanted his people to model for the world.
We’re a long way from being that model.
Perhaps February would be a good time to pray about racial
reconciliation. We’re encouraged to do
so when we recall Paul calling Epaphroditus “Brother.”]
2.
Fellow-worker
They
had labored side by side in the cause of Christ.
He
may have been the pastor or he may have been one we would have described as a
very active layman. The distinctions
between clergy and laity were not so sharp in the early church as they would
later become. Every Christian understood
the need to work for the cause of Christ.
3.
Fellow-soldier
They
had fought together in the trenches; they understood they were engaged in a
common battle.
As
a soldier, Epaphroditus's allegiance would be clear. (cf. Eph. 6:12 If Ephesians was, as many
believe, a circular letter to the churches of Asia Minor, the Philippians would
be reminded at all Christians are called to be 'soldiers of the cross.')
4.
A Minister of Help (30b)
He
had accomplished his task of bring encouragement to Paul.
He
brought both material and moral support.
[Lately I have
been studying the life of Jonathan Edwards.
Famed as a leader of the Great Awakening, Edwards was also one of the
most profound thinkers in American history.
I’ve learned he suffered periodic bouts of bad health. His health was often at its lowest when he
was facing times of greatest stress.
Were there encouragers who helped him during this time? I hope so.
In any case, I know pastors—including your pastor—need those willing to
encourage.]
5.
A Lover of the Saints
Epaphroditus
was genuinely anguished over the distress his sickness was causing. The word describing his feelings was the same
used for Christ's anguish in the garden of Gethsemene.
When many would
have focused on their own problems, he was concerned about others.
He longed to be with the Christians
at Philippi.
6.
A Risk-taker for Christ. 30
The
phrase 'risking his life' is a gambling term, parabolani.
In the Roman
world, when an epidemic struck a city most able-bodied residents would
flee. After telling about Christians who
risked their lives to remain in plague-ridden cities to care for the sick and
dying (pagan and Christian alike), David Curtis comments,
There should be in Christians
an almost reckless courage which makes them ready to gamble with their lives in
service to Christ and others. You won't
die prematurely, so go ahead and take some risks. Epaphroditus laid everything on the line for
the Kingdom of God.
Some observations on discipleship
drawn from the story of Epaphroditus.
1.
The Christian life is sometimes marked by surprising--even
ironic--moments.
Epaphroditus
had gone to care for Paul, Paul had to care for Epaphroditus.
Such
events don't suggest God has lost control.
We don't always know the reasons why things happen the way they do.
Was
the providence of God at work in his sickness?
With his mind on Epaphroditus, Paul could not dwell on his own
circumstances.
2.
The story of Epaphroditus challenges us to keep sickness and suffering
in perspective.
You've
probably encountered those Christians who believe sickness and suffering in a
believer's life are sure signs of sin or lack of faith.
The
notion is an old one (even Jesus had to eradicate it from the minds of his
followers-John 9). It is a persistent notion.
One modern commentator actually accused Epaphroditus of sinful overwork.
Sometimes
we just get sick--despite all our effort to avoid germs, etc. A good Christian is not exempt from trouble,
but that trouble is never beyond the power of God to give us strength.
3.
A Christian fellowship should attempt to minister beyond the narrow
boundaries of its locale.
Epaphroditus
represented the church in Paul's prison cell.
He went where they could not go.
It
was a costly ministry. The church lost a
valued laborer while Epaphroditus was gone.
4.
Some of our most valued relationships grow out of experiences of
ministering together.
Paul
had discovered that as he carried the message of Christ from city to city. Wherever he
ministered he left behind dear
friends.
Is
going to church an insipid experience for you, is there little thrill for you
in following Christ?
Are
you involved with your fellow Christians in ministering for Christ?
Has
a former commitment to serve and minister waned?
CONCLUSION
In the musical Annie, Daddy Warbucks states an element
of his philosophy: "It doesn't
matter who you step on while on your way up, as long as you don't come back down." It’s a philosophy that exists in more places
than Broadway musicals. You may work
with people who live by that philosophy.
1.
Epaphroditus never embraced such a philosophy and the world is better
for it.
2.
Have you determined to exhibit a Christlike spirit of “otherishness”? It reflects Christian love.
[1] The event has
its critics, even among African-Americans, but anyone who has sat in as many
history classes as I have knows the focus is often on one culture over others;
someday we may not need such a month but we’re not there yet.
