What a wonderful man
Philippians 2:25 – 3:1a
25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.
What a wonderful man Epaphroditus was! To be described by Paul as a ”true brother, faithful worker and courageous soldier” would be an amazing accolade. Yet Epaphroditus’ concern was not for his health or his acknowledgement, but for his friends and relatives. He was upset that they were worried about him!
As Christians, we are not protected from everything in life. Epaphroditus was at the point of death while trying to do the work God sent him to do. Paul welcomes God’s mercy which saved him from death. He did not blame God for allowing him to get sick in the first place. We need to remember that we are still in the world, and that bad stuff will happen. Paul’s desire for all his brothers and sisters, us included, is not for exemption from the effects of the world, but that God may give us joy no matter what happens.
I am challenged by this passage to
- Follow Epaphroditus’ example and become less self-seeking
- Find joy in God despite circumstances which may occur in life.
Dear Lord, please help me to consider myself less, and others more. Please also help me to remember the joy I have in you, no matter what happens in my life. Amen
Written by Megan Cornell
Megan
Thank you a great unpacking of what Paul was saying to the early church.
A great encouragement for the situation I am in this week.
Epaphroditus was ill and nearly died, but was fully healed and in place of Timothy, was sent back to Phillippi to encourage the believers.
Thanks God more healing here please. Same again.