Epaphroditus - Funny Name, Great Example

Intro

Alright, so who in here loves history? Anyone a fan of studying history? You like knowing battles, or stories of how certain events were carried out? Anyone?

Okay, I’d like to hear, what is one famous historical event you particularly like? (Call on max 3) And why do you like it?

History is important! How history is recorded, how we remember certain events… There are dark times in history and bright spots in history. Things we forget… I’m reminded of the so-called “Forgotten War,” or the Korean War. Things we must remember. But one thought that has occurred to me is… How will they do history in the future?

You ever wonder what future historians will look back on our time and think of us? It’s gonna be interesting. When our descendants look back on our time, they will have more information about our time than they will have had in any era preceding us. Think about that.

Like, are historians of the future going to scour instagram and twitter (X, excuse me) for history?

All of that aside, think about how we do history with the Bible. Do we do history with the Bible? I’m gonna challenge your bible reading today, because I think there are many of us who just want to read the Bible as a list of commands… Do’s and don’t’s. The reality is that the Bible is a collection of God’s interaction with people. Sometimes you read a story. Sometimes you read a list. Sometimes you’re reading songs and poetry. And, like tonight, we’re going to be reading part of a letter. It has a very real context on the side of the author, Paul, and those he’s writing to, the Philippians.

And specifically, we’re going to look at this guy, Epaphroditus.

So let me set the scene on this guy for a moment, if you will:

Paul is writing the book of Philippians from a jail cell. He’s been imprisoned for false charges because he was preaching about Jesus. That stirred up the masses against him, and they accused him of preaching against the Roman emperor.

This bit about Epaphroditus is all we get about him. And yet, it’s a story of a faithful guy, probably just a normal, everyday Christian, trying to do right by the Lord. Someone who is a dear friend to Paul. Here’s a guy who takes the task of delivering a monetary gift from the church at Philippi to Paul himself, and while he’s going along the way, he gets deathly sick. Instead of stopping, and sending someone else in a foreign land, he chooses to push himself all the way to Rome so that he will make absolutely sure to deliver the care package Paul needs to make it in his imprisonment.

This is a guy that takes extreme ownership of the task that’s been given him. He had a deep sense of care for the mission.

Philippians 2:25–30 (ESV)

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 been 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 on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more 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.

Care for the Mission

Let’s take a look at verse 25.

Philippians 2:25 (ESV)

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,

Paul lists five descriptions that this guy, Epaphroditus embodies. Again, this is likely an ordinary Christian, just seeking to do the next right thing.

The first three are how Epaphroditus relates to Paul. He is Paul’s brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. This is Paul commending Epaphroditus for being so faithful and a good friend and help to him.

The last two relate to the Philippians. Their messenger and minister to Paul’s need.

Now, let’s take a look specifically at the last half of verse 30. I want to show you the pairing between verses 25 and 30.

Philippians 2:30 (ESV)

for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

There’s a connection between that last identifier: “minister to my need” and “Complete what was lacking…” Now, the language here seems kind of harsh, but that’s not quite the way Paul means when he says what he says. Consider that Paul’s attitude toward the Philippians has not, to this point, been negative at all. It’s been quite positive! So we read it in light of that.

Remember, Epaphroditus was sent on this mission on behalf of the Philippians. Meaning, the Philippians could not go themselves to Paul’s prison home. So that “completing what is lacking,” is merely like, “making the journey that you couldn’t make.” It’s a point Paul uses to emphasize Epaphroditus’ worth to the Philippians, especially as he gets deathly sick! Which we’ll return to here in a moment.

But in light of all this, what we need to notice about Epaphroditus’ service in this time is that care for the mission. Again, Epaphroditus was not a church leader or a missionary. He was a faithful guy willing to make the long trek from Philippi to Rome, even braving a deathly illness for the sake of getting Paul what he needed so that he could continue his mission.

Two things I want to point out about Epaphroditus’ trip to see Paul.

One, he cared first for Paul’s mission to spread the Kingdom of God. Even more than he treasured his own life, he treasured the Kingdom.

If you’re here tonight, and maybe you don’t believe in God, don’t believe in Heaven, I challenge you to ask yourself this question, and to do so honestly: what in my life is worth giving my life for? I think many would be tempted to say something along the lines of friends and family, and that’s noble. But, think, is there anything eternal for which I can trade my life? Something that will not only outlast me, but stretch into the unending future?

Two, Epaphroditus saw a need in his church and he filled it. We don’t exactly know what it looked like. Maybe they had a business meeting or something and Epaphroditus said he’d go, or maybe he was elected. Who knows. But he owned the responsibility and he pressed forward. Even in the face of death, he valued the mission. It wasn’t about him or his glory. It was about the mission.

Seek to do those things with a heart like Epaphroditus… “God has chosen me… I will go.”

You see more of Epaphroditus’ heart in vv. 26-28 , specifically his care for others.

Care for Others

Philippians 2:26–28 (ESV)

for he has been longing for you all and has been 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 on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

Likely Epaphroditus concerned because the Philippians had not heard how he was faring with that sickness. They probably just heard THAT he was very ill, and not that he had recovered.

This is something that’s lost on us, in large part because of the speed of communication these days.

Another thing that we take for granted is the fact that Epaphroditus was DEATHLY ill. Here’s the thing about being deathly ill in those days without medicines and healthcare… You don’t make it out alive. These were the days, don’t forget, that a bad cut could cost you your life! A bad infection in a bad cut could spell death. We take this for granted today in our world.

I look at a guy like Epaphroditus, and I feel guilty because I had to sit ministry out yesterday due to a runny nose and a sore throat.

That’s why Paul says “God had mercy on him.” He’s pointing to God directly intervening in Epaphroditus’ life and saving him from this sickness that had him so near to death.

Now… That in mind, look at this element in this passage… “he has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.” Two things Epaphroditus did while deathly ill… One, he gutted it out on his way to Paul. Second, he was concerned for his home church, because he knew they were likely in anxiety over him, too.

Epaphroditus displayed an immense level of care for others. He cared for Paul, and he cared for his church. His example to us is one of caring for those around us.

So here’s the question that naturally arises from studying a guy like Epaphroditus… How much do YOU care for God’s mission? We all have a part to play, I think the Bible is clear on that, in that we are each given giftings to use for the expansion of the Kingdom of God, edification of one another and above all, bringing glory to God.

EXPAND ON THIS

Epaphroditus’ care for others was rooted in his care for God’s people. These were his brothers and sisters in Christ. And he knew what hinged upon his survival… Their encouragement in their faith. This was enough for Epaphroditus to be distressed. He wouldn’t want them to lose heart in their faith on his account! Especially when he had completed his mission to take support to Paul.

And for those who do care for God’s mission, we do as Paul says…

Honor Those Who Honor Christ

Philippians 2:29–30 (ESV)

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.

This is the main point of what Paul is putting forth here, the command to honor one such as Epaphroditus. And I think this has a lot to say to us in our church culture. This normal guy gave his all for the mission of Christ. He’s your average guy, seeking to make a difference. He’s not a pastor. He’s not a missionary. He has no notoriety. He’s just faithful.

There’s a lot more to be said about just being faithful than we give credit for. Indeed, the faithfulness of everyday Christians is a miracle. Think about who you were without Christ, and now think of who you are in Christ! That’s a miracle. Why is it miraculous? Because it is of God. It is not achievable through natural means. We are new creations.

And what Paul is saying is, “look. Guys like Epaphroditus? Emulate him. Honor him. And honor those like him.”

Why? Because this lifestyle is the life God is calling each of us into. A life of honoring the Christ who has saved us.

Now look, none of us here tonight stand to risk losing our lives for following Christ. But there are many across the world who do. In some countries, becoming a Christian can mean losing your family… Losing your friends… Not being able to get a job… In fact, some missionaries in some of these places tell us that when someone gets saved in a place like this, often they have to pack up and leave the city they’re in, just so they can go get a job somewhere else and be able to live! They leave everything to follow Christ.

Not even to be a missionary or a pastor… Simply to follow Jesus. I think we could learn something from Christians like these, don’t you?

And we need to give them honor and admiration. Look, that’s what Paul is saying here. He says receive Epaphroditus with joy! He risked his life to make his way to Paul! And how did Epaphroditus do it?

By putting one foot in front of the other, step-by-step doing what God would have him do.

Let’s be like Epaphroditus, right? Like, no matter what hardship comes our way, we’re going to keep following Jesus. No matter what it’s going to cost us, keep following Jesus. No matter who is going to disown us, follow Jesus. No matter who is going to disrespect us, follow Jesus.

Let’s live like Epaphroditus did- faithfully.

But you know, in order for us to live like this, we need to be encouragers to one another. So when you see someone living like Epaphroditus does, or doing something to follow Christ over self, or Christ over the world, call it out! Don’t waste your time or energy encouraging things that are not for Christ, use those resources to honor Christ in one another. I need that, and truthfully, you need that. It’s life!

If you’d like to talk about faith or hear more about trusting in Jesus, I would love to speak with you about that this morning. Just find me after the service.