Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Summary: We know very little about Epaphroditus, and yet what we know is enough to realize that he lived a full and adventurous life in the service of the Lord.
Every truly good story is based around a hero or heroine who puts themselves at risk to save others. The ultimate risk, of course, is the risk of losing life itself.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:30b – God’s Emissary”
… and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ.
Summary: Epaphroditus was someone who was deeply committed to the Lord’s work. His commitment to the Lord led him to serve Paul in his time of need, and that service put his life in danger.
Sacrifice demands honor.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Continue reading “Philippians 2:29b-30a – A Living Conundrum”
So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy…
Summary: Paul’s instruction to the Philippians contains a phrase that is key to our understanding of Christian living.
Paul’s words here are touching. Epaphroditus has been a lifeline to his brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Philippi. He travelled a great distance to bring gifts to Paul and support him during his unjust imprisonment, and then he almost died in his service to the Lord.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:29a – In The Lord”
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.
Summary: This verse provides an excellent example of how the original Greek can help clear up questions about seeming contradictions in the Bible.
This verse provides the opportunity to clarify something that could be important to some.
The word Paul used when writing his letter was “alypos.” The NIV translation uses the English word “anxiety” here, but that is not a direct translation. Most English translations use a different word.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:28 – Paul’s Relief”
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.
Summary: This passage provides another insight into Epaphroditus’s adventure and Paul’s feelings for his brother in Christ.
By now, it feels like we know Epaphroditus personally. He comes from Philippi, and he is devoted to the Lord. Because of his love for the Lord, he has given himself to serve both the church at Philippi and Paul.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:27 – Paul’s Sorrow”
For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.
Summary: This passage opens a window into Paul’s reason for writing the Philippians and the care and concern the early believers had for each other.
The voice of the letter is Paul’s, and so far in this letter, he has been instructing the Philippians (and us!) about Christian life. Now, for a moment, his thoughts settle on how he can reach out to the Philippians in a more personal way.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:26 – Homesick”
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my … fellow soldier…
Summary: Paul calls Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier.” When we consider what this means, we wonder about the war such soldiers fight.
When we think of Christians, the first thing to come to mind is almost anything but “soldier.” The word “soldier” connotes fighting and war. Being a Christian is supposed to be all about “love.” So what do the two have in common?
Continue reading “Philippians 2:25 Part IV – Fellow Soldier”
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my … co-worker…
Summary: In this meditation, we look at Paul’s use of the word “synergós.” Considering what we know of Paul’s work for the Lord, we gain some insight into Epaphroditus’s work, too.
The Greek word Paul used for “co-worker” is “synergós.” As you may have already guessed, “synergós” is one of the roots of our word for “synergy.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:25 Part III – Co-Worker”
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother…
Summary: Paul’s reference to Epaphroditus as a “brother” is a good excuse to consider what it means to be part of God’s family.
Paul has given Epaphroditus several titles. It might be useful to take a closer look at each one and see what we can learn from them.
The first title given to Epaphroditus is “Brother.”
Continue reading “Philippians 2:25 Part II – Brother”
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.
Summary: When people care for you, they want to be with you when you are hurting.
A neighbor I know recently was notified that her son had been in a motorcycle accident. She lives in a small town in the Northwest, and her son lives in Texas. Within hours, she was on a jet headed to Texas to be with her son. She ended up staying for nearly three months while he recovered.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:25 – The Perfect Choice”