ACC ~ Philippians 2 v25 - 30

OVERVIEW:

A range of unusual qualities entitles Epaphroditus to be called fellow soldier, minister, brother and apostle (THEODORET, MARIUS VICTORINUS). God allowed his illness as a trial (AMBROSIASTER). His mission will bring a natural joy to the Philippians (CHRYSOSTOM) and so to Paul, despite his own loss (MARIUS VICTORINUS). He preempts any conflict by reminding them of Epaphroditus’s services (AMBROSIASTER) and courage and bids them receive him with spiritual joy (CHRYSOSTOM). The desire for life is not to be demeaned (MARIUS VICTORINUS), especially when survival will conduce to the glory of God (MARIUS VICTORINUS, THEODORET).

2:25 | Sending Epaphroditus to Them

EPAPHRODITUS IS BEING SENT SINCE TIMOTHY WAS DELAYED. MARIUS VICTORINUS: Although he has promised to send Timothy rapidly, nevertheless, because he still speaks of a certain delay, he now sends Epaphroditus. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.25.

HOW THESE QUALITIES ARE DISTINGUISHED. MARIUS VICTORINUS: He commends the character of Epaphroditus by calling him “my brother and fellow soldier.” He is a brother in the law and a fellow soldier in the camp and in the work of the gospel. And he is called “your apostle.” Note that he calls Epaphroditus an apostle. Everyone who is sent on account of the gospel can rightly be called an apostle. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.25.

THE COMMENDATION OF EPAPHRODITUS. THEODORET: Paul attributes many accomplishments to Epaphroditus. He calls him not merely a brother but a fellow worker and a fellow soldier. And Paul has even called him their apostle, because he has been entrusted with their care. Thus it is apparent that those who were called bishops in the earlier part of the letter held their charge under Epaphroditus, being obviously presbyters. And he calls him a “minister to his need,” because he had brought the necessities that they had sent, as was their duty, analogous to contributions for civic officers. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.25.

2:26 | Longing and Distress

THE SOLICITUDE OF PAUL. CHRYSOSTOM: See how earnestly Paul tries to forestall any tendencies toward lethargy or selfishness. He quickly removes the suspicion that it was through lack of concern for them that he did not come. For nothing is such a stimulus to progress in disciples as the conviction that their master truly cares about them. Paul shows that he feels sorrow on their behalf. This is a sign of his exceptional quality of love. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.26-27.

THEIR MUTUAL CONCERN. AMBROSIASTER: Both the congregation and Epaphroditus were sad because of his sickness. They hoped that they might, on seeing him, be reassured in his recovery of health and that he might be relieved of his present anxiety to see them. For he was their apostle, appointed by Paul when he sent him to them for their exhortation. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.27.1.

2:27a | Ill, Near to Death

HIS ILLNESS WAS INTENDED FOR HIS GROWTH. AMBROSIASTER: Is it possible that the apostle prayed for him and the prayer was not answered by his immediate recovery? Remember that signs are for unbelievers. This man’s illness was designed not for his hurt but for his growth. Many indeed are the trials of the faithful … and therefore the petition of the apostle was not spurned, but a better provision was made for him on whose behalf Paul prayed. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.27.2-3.

2:27b | God Had Mercy on Him and on Paul

GOD’S MERCY ON HIM. MARIUS VICTORINUS: Note what benefits we experience from the Lord even in this life. Hence we ought not hurry to death. For even if this world is a hotbed of sin and therefore to be shunned, yet the desire to live in the world comes from your nature and is not sin. Life ought to be desired. So it is right to say “God had mercy on him.” PISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.27.

PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL. MARIUS VICTORINUS: Many are preserved and pitied by God because something is done through them which belongs to the ministry of salvation. At the same time we also should pray for those who are ill, lest we be saddened by the loss of those whose help we need in the performance, imparting and proclamation of divine grace. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.27.

PAUL NOT DEPRIVED OF HIS FELLOW WORKER. THEODORET: The words “God had mercy on him” also reveal Epaphroditus’s zeal for the contest. He did not wish to be rid of his wretched life, even knowing the gain that was to spring from it. “And God also pitied me,” says Paul, “by not depriving me of my fellow worker.” PISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.26-7.

2:28a | Eager to Send Epaphroditus

THE RELIEF OF SEEING THE SICK IMPROVE. CHRYSOSTOM: Hearing of those whom we desire to be well never makes us so glad as actually seeing them, especially when the event exceeds our expectations. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.28.

2:28b | Lessening Anxiety

FULFILLING THEIR MUTUAL DESIRE. MARIUS VICTORINUS: Why does Paul add the phrase “and I may be less anxious?” Because he has already said that Epaphroditus had ministered to his needs. He did not want it to appear as though he was sad to be sending him. Since Epaphroditus desired to be with them and since they are going to be glad if they see him, Paul could then be “less anxious.” PISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.28.

2:29 | Receiving and Honoring Such Men

HIS WILLINGNESS TO DIE FOR THE GOSPEL. AMBROSIASTER: It is apparent that the people and Epaphroditus loved one another inseparably. He is commended by the apostle also, so as to make him all the more dear. … This is the reason for explicitly recalling the struggle of Epaphroditus: his unhesitating willingness to die for the sake of the gospel. EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 2.30.

RECEIVE HIM IN THE LORD. CHRYSOSTOM: “Receive him in the Lord”—this means spiritually, that is, with great eagerness. It means receive him in the Lord because it is God’s will. “Give him, as saints ought to do, the reception due to a saint, with all joy.” Paul says this for the sake of the congregation rather than Epaphroditus. The profit of doing good is greater than that of receiving reward. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.29.

2:30a | Risking His Life for Christ’s Work

HE NEARLY DIED. CHRYSOSTOM: He nearly died, says Paul, not “on my account” but “for the work of Christ.” This makes Epaphroditus all the more worthy of trust. … “He submitted himself as one who looked after me, whatever he had to suffer.” But if he submitted himself to death for the sake of looing after Paul, how much more he would have suffered this for the sake of the proclamation of the gospel! HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.30.

2:30b | Completing Service to Paul

A SERVICE IN NEED OF COMPLETION. CHRYSOSTOM: The first obligation is to preserve those in danger. Do you see the wisdom of the apostle? This shows how much he cares for the faithful. He does this in order that they will not be elated over themselves but remain modest, and that they not think that they have done anything great but remain humble. He calls their deeds a service in need of completion. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.30.

HIS GREAT VALUE TO PAUL’S MINISTRY. CHRYSOSTOM: Epaphroditus had been sent by the community in Philippi to serve Paul. Perhaps he had brought something with him. He perhaps brought Paul supplies, as Paul shows near the end when he says “having received your gifts from Epaphroditus.” It is likely then that when he arrived in the city of Rome Epaphroditus found Paul in grave and acute peril. Even those closest to Paul were not able to help him to safety. Epaphroditus, being a man of noble spirit, despised every danger. He visited Paul, ministered to him, did all that was needful. Paul gives two reasons for regarding him with such high respect: First, “he almost died” on Paul’s account. Second, he did this as a representative of the whole city, so that in this danger the reward is reckoned to those who sent him, as though the whole city had sent him as an ambassador. So to receive him with kindness and to welcome him on account of what has happened is their way of sharing in his audacious enterprise. HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 10.2.28-30.