“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. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 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. 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. Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 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.”
Philippians 2:25-30 NLT
Epaphroditus…another of Paul’s fellow soldiers! New names keep popping up…real people who littered Paul’s path with companionship, assistance, partnership, labour…and suffering. Paul called this man “a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier“. What a commendation! A brother…spiritually, of the same family, the same blood! A co-worker…on the same team! A fellow soldier…fighting on the same side!
With people like Epaphroditus, Paul was never alone. These men and women…a growing number, names mentioned in most of his letters..didn’t start their own missions. They teamed up with Paul, followed his example, submitted to his authority, accompanied him on his journeys, and carried his vision wherever they went.
Some, like this man, Epaphroditis, put his in life on the line for the gospel, as Paul had done. Somewhere along the way he fell into serious danger. He became seriously ill. He contracted a deadly medical condition that could have ended his life.
Life, in Paul’s day, was a daily risk. Medical expertise and facilities were non-existent. Diseases were everywhere, just waiting for someone with a compromised immune system…and Epaphroditus became a victim.
Paul gives no details…the sickness had no name…but enough to make this man’s dedication clear. Whatever risk he took, whatever interrupted his journey, Epaphroditis had survived…and Paul was grateful.
It was not medical intervention but God’s mercy that saved Epaphroditus that time…and every time someone got sick and recovered.
Just reading through Paul’s description of Epaphroditus’ experience makes me realise how interconnected believers were under Paul’s watch. There was continual coming and going between people in the churches…news being exchanged…visitors being welcomed, hosted, refreshed, and sent back to share resources and encourage one another.
One would think that movement was easy…but it was not! Yet, the people in these small congregations, across many miles, were more connected, then, than the people in small congregations in one town or city today. Why?
Was it because they were people who lived apart from the world, in it but not of it? They were separated by conversion and conviction, and their only safety lay in staying together…doing life together and protecting one another.
In today’s world, God’s people are distracted by many attractions and not threatened much by their hostile environment. It’s easy to blend in, not to be noticed, to be lost in, and to be part of the crowd.
From God’s perspective, there is great benefit in being separated and distinct…not only because of His favour…
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name. “They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Malachi 3:16-18 NLT
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
Malachi 4:2 NLT
…but because it is a matter of life and death…
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
In today’s world, we have opportunities and privileges far beyond those of Paul’s day… communication and travel being among the most advantageous. Let’s not become lazy or complacent in the administration of our faith. Let’s do the “Paul thing”…use our connectedness to foster fellowship, love, and service…to God’s glory.
To be continued