But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Philippians 2:25-30
Western culture, and American culture especially, works hard at sustaining individualism. “Be true to yourself” or “Don’t be like everyone else” are some of the mantras we hear often. However, this text suggests when others spend their lives for the sake of Christ we should hold them in high esteem and imitate their service and their sacrifice. Who, in the Body of Christ, would not want to be like Epaphroditus? Here’s a few observations about him:
- Epaphroditus was from Philippi and most likely delivered the material support to Paul in Rome (2:25).
- Paul describes him as a “brother,” “fellow worker,” and “fellow soldier.” Epaphroditus was a devoted companion and comrade.
- Epaphroditus was not distressed from being ill, but his anxiety was from knowing that others in Philippi would be distressed from hearing of his condition. Such selfless concern for and devotion to others!
- His illness was directly related to “the work of Christ” (2:30). Paul does not indicate the precise circumstances surrounding the illness nor his healing, but does state that suffering hardship is worthy of “honor.”
- Epaphroditus displays the character that Paul longs to see in the Philippians: Tireless devotion to others for the sake of unity and the progress of the Gospel.
Individualism is over-rated. When others think of me, I don’t want them to think merely of me. I want them to think of others whose lives have been spent for the sake of Christ. I want them to think of Epaphroditus.