“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, for he has been longing for you all and has bend distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (Philippians 2:25-30).
Everybody can’t be on the front lines. Everybody can’t ditch their day job and throw themselves headlong into the mission field. Some of us simply aren’t in the position to chuck it all and head down the highway for cause of Christ. Paul makes it clear to those of us on the home front, we should support and celebrate the sacrifice and service of those who do hit the road for Jesus. That’s his message for the folks back in Philippi. Their man Epaphroditus made the trip from Macedonia with a care package from the church. But a funny thing happened to him while he was on the road. (Not funny “ha ha” but funny “weird.”) He almost died. (I told you it wasn’t funny “ha ha.”) The Philippians sent him to help the apostle behind bars in Rome. It nearly cost him his life. Now he’s headed home. Paul tells them to throw a party for Epaphroditus and give him the honor of a returning war hero.
You may be wondering how Paul ended up in the slammer all the way over in Rome. And why would folks in a Macedonian seaport send help to him while he’s in the joint? It seems the apostle got tossed in jail a while back when fellow Jews accused him of stirring up trouble at the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36). Roman officials keep Paul locked up for years even though it sure seems clear he’s an innocent man (Acts 23:9; 25:7, 18-19, 25; 26:30-31). After twiddling his thumbs and waiting for somebody to rule on his trumped up charges for several years, the apostle eventually appeals to Caesar to hear his case (Acts 25:11-12; 26:32). He’s eventually transferred to custody in Rome, a trip that would make the movie “Con Air” look like something from Pixar (Acts 27:1-28:16). While Paul waits for his hearing, he writes letters to churches in Ephesus, Colossae, his buddy Philemon, and lastly to the Philippian followers of Jesus.
The relationship between the Philippians and Paul goes back a few years before that. The apostle is on his second Gospel tour of the Mediterranean rim, taking the message of Jesus to everyone who will listen. Paul and his posse cross from Asia Minor into Macedonia and their first stop is the seaport of Philippi. You can read all about it in Dr. Luke’s sequel we call the Book of Acts (Acts 16:12-40). The Good News which Paul brings to this Roman colony turns the city upside down. There are huge riots as a result. Think Ferguson. Think Baltimore. A lynch mob finally gets their mitts on the apostle and his sidekick Silas and drags them to a local shopping mall. “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice” (Acts 16:20-21). It’s not long before God begins growing a church from a fashionista named Lydia, another young lady freed from human trafficking and the occult, as well as the local jailer and his family. Crazy stuff. In Philippi as in other cities, the Gospel was shutting down worship of gods and goddesses like Aphrodite. Epaphroditus’ name literally means “devoted to Aphrodite.” There’s a good chance Epaphroditus was one of those Jesus got ahold of on Paul’s trip to Philippi. Because Paul devoted himself to sharing the love of Christ with these folks, they devote themselves to his care when he’s in jail.
The apostle thinks its time for Epaphroditus to head back home (v25). The Big E is some sort of authority figure in the church. Maybe an elder. Possibly the pastor. He made his delivery of supplies to Paul. “I have received full payment, and more, I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Phil 4:18). But he doesn’t return home empty handed. The apostle pays him the great compliment by calling this man “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier” (v25). When the dude who wrote most of the New Testament drops those titles on you, it’s kind of a big deal. As one who’s made similar sacrifices of service for his Savior, Paul knows it when he sees it.
The man from Tarsus also refers to Epaphroditus as “your messenger and minister to my need” (v25). It’s interesting to note that the word we read in the ESV as “messenger” is the Greek word we often translate as “apostle” (Gr. apostolos). This doesn’t mean we should add E’s name to the list of the Twelve. There are only a dozen of those. But back in the Greco-Roman world, an apostle was a pretty common position. The term describes a representative with the full rights, privileges, and authority of the one who sends them. Just as Jesus gave each of His twelve apostles His full authority wherever they went, Epaphroditus is the official rep of the Philippian church. Since they couldn’t all go, they sent him to go for them. That’s what Paul means when he talks about how Epaphroditus was able “to complete what was lacking in your service to me” (v30). We should all want to go. But we all can’t go. Let’s look for opportunities to represent our local church for the cause of Christ. However when the Lord opens the doors for fellow believers to take His message to faraway places, we should step up and help them. All of us can pray for them. Some of us should pay for them. Remember, we give because He’s given us SO much. This is an incredible privilege to do give back since they are repping Jesus on our behalf.
As I mentioned earlier, the Big E nearly D-I-E-D when he got to Paul. “Indeed he was ill, near to death” (v27). But here’s the crazy part. While Epaphroditus nearly croaked on this mission of mercy, his biggest concern was for this friends back in Philippi. “For he was longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard he was ill” (v26). The apostle writes that Epaphroditus is “distressed” and uses a verb in the original language (Gr. ademoneo) which literally means to be very heavy or full of heaviness. It’s the strongest Greek word for depression. He’s deeply depressed. He’s very upset. He’s overcome with anguish. NOT for his own situation. The brother may be on his death bed but he’s completely bummed that folks back home are so worried about him.
Paul can’t wait to send him so they “may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious” (v28). The apostle will be relieved when Epaphroditus is finally back home safe and sound. He also knows the Philippians won’t be able to wipe the smiles off their faces when the Big E walks through the front door again. Once again, this little letter drips with joy. Despite all that’s happened to him, the man from Tarsus has joy in the joint. And he can’t wait to spread that joy to the folks in Philippi by sending their rep back home. Happiness is based on our circumstances. Jesus gives us His joy that’s WAY beyond our situation. Nothing can steal our joy.
There’s going to be quite party back in Macedonia when Epaphroditus rolls back into town. Paul gives them two commands. One, “receive him in the Lord with all joy” (v29). Sure sounds like a party to me! Think ticker tape parade. Somebody book a DJ or live band. Two, “honor such men” (v29). God’s people should celebrate the humility and self-sacrifice demonstrated by guys like Epaphroditus. One trip through the checkout counter shows us who our society honors. Check out the covers of People and Us magazines. Turn any episode of “Access Hollywood” or “Entertainment Tonight.” We hold high the beautiful people. We lift up the rich and powerful. Instead of keeping up with the Kardashians, we should be shining the spotlight on those who sacrifice and serve in the name of our Savior.
It’s a theme all throughout the Bible. There’s a little church in the town just down the road from Philippi in Thessalonica. The apostle had similar orders for them. “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly because of their work” (1Th 5:12-13). Paul wanted the Corinthians to honor Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus “for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people” (1Cor 16:17-18). The apostle tells his protege Tim, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1Tim 5:7). In other words, take practical steps to give your preacher honor, like a good salary. Here’s the big idea. When someone is a rock star in their service to Jesus, make sure everyone knows. When a volunteer sells out for the Gospel, honor them. When a small group leader builds into the lives of others, honor them. When an associate pastor devotes himself to a grieving family, honor them. Get the idea?
Not everybody can go, so let's honor those who can. Every time someone rocks the joint for Jesus, it’s time to let everyone know.
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