Sunday, April 11, 2010
THE MIND OF CHRIST ON DISPLAY -- EPAPHRODITUS
Phil. 2:25-30
This morning we are back in Philippians. And what individual is it that we are going to be looking at today? Do you know? Are you following the flow of this letter? Today we are looking at Epaphroditus. Who can give us some background on Epaphroditus? Tell us how Paul got acquainted with him, where he was from, and what the rest of the New Testament says about him.
Basically, there isn’t anything to know about this man Epaphroditus. He is unknown outside the letter to the Philippians. That’s right, you can’t find him anywhere else in the New Testament. Had Paul not mentioned him in this letter, his name would have never been known to anyone outside of Philippi. But praise God that the Spirit inspired Paul to talk about this precious individual. This is the man we are going to look at this morning.
Remember that we are in chapter 2, that wonderful chapter of Philippians that focuses on the mind of Christ. We saw the mind of Christ demonstrated in Paul, then in Timothy, and now we see Christ’s mind on display in Epaphroditus.
Let’s read Phil. 2:25-30…
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
We have already seen in the previous verses that Paul was eager to send Timothy to Philippi. However, he wanted to wait until he saw how things would go with him. I take that to mean that Paul wanted to wait until he could inform them of what happened in his trial. Since that might be a while, he found it necessary to send Epaphroditus to them. You will notice that in verse 28 Paul uses the past tense: “I sent him therefore the more carefully, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoice…” By the time they receive this letter, Paul would have already sent Eaphroditus. It seems pretty clear that Paul was sending the letter by Epaphroditus. So here was Paul’s plan: first Epaphroditus and this letter, then Timothy with news of the result of his trial, and then Paul himself after that.
Now let’s turn our attention directly to Epaphroditus. First we will identify him, then take a look at his character, and then note how Paul told the Philippians to treat Epaphroditus.
I. Epaphroditus Identified
Notice first of all that Epaphroditus was not an apostle like Paul. Nor do we have any indication that he was a young preacher and representative of Paul, as was Timothy. Religious people in our world would refer to him as a “layman.” That is, he is just a common, ordinary Christian. Now I’ll be honest with you -- I detest that term “layman.” I understand that it communicates something, but I also contend that it communicates something that is not biblical. It gives the idea that there are two classes of Christians. The terms that are used are “clergy” and “laymen.” There are the preacher types and then there are the ordinary Christians. God hates that division. If you don’t believe it, just go and read the first 12 verses of Matthew 23, where Jesus told His own disciples not to take elevated titles, sit in special seats, or receive lengthy greetings like the other religious leaders. Why? Jesus said, “Because you are all brothers.” Neither the apostle Paul nor Timothy his representative was any dearer to the heart of the Lord than this man Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus was just as capable of demonstrating the mind of Christ as was Paul or Timothy.
So how does Paul identify Epaphroditus? He refers to him as his brother, companion in labor, and fellow-soldier. First of all, note that term “brother.” Paul uses the term “brother” 34 times in his letters. He is not talking about just a fellow human being. The term “brother” is sometimes used like that. By “brother” Paul is referring to a fellow-Christian. The term is very accurate because both he and his brother have the same Father, God Himself. In the course of his letters, Paul refers to these men as brothers -- Timothy (though he is Paul’s son in the faith), Titus, Tychicus, Onesimus, Apollos, and Philemon. Epaphroditus was indeed Paul’s brother because both had been adopted into the family of God.
This idea of spiritual brotherhood is no small thing. Though the family in our culture is splintered and failing, there are still millions who take family very seriously, and so we should. Someone might say something like this, “I know he has made a mess out of his life, but I still care about him because he is my flesh and blood.” May I remind us this morning that our relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ will endure long after the physical flesh-and-blood relationships have been dissolved. Don’t forget that little incident when one of Jesus’ disciples came and told Him that His mother and brothers were waiting to see Him. Let’s read His response in Matt. 12:48-50…
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Not only was Epaphroditus a brother, but he was also Paul’s companion in labor. More literally, he was Paul’s fellow-worker. It is the simple word “worker” with a preposition in front of it which means “together with.” Paul was very fond of using this little preposition to link him with other believers. He spoke of those who were his fellow-servants, fellow-prisoners, fellow-helpers, fellow-soldiers, fellow-citizens, and fellow-heirs (at least 17 times in all). The most common was this idea of fellow-worker, which he used seven times (Phil. 2:25; 4:3; Philemon 1:1,24; Col. 4:11; I Thes. 3:2; I Cor. 3:9). Paul speaks of his own labor for the Lord in 1 Cor. 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Again in Col. 1:28-29, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29. Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." How he worked for the Lord. Nevertheless, he links himself together with Epaphroditus. They worked together for the Lord.
Not only was he a brother to Paul and his fellow-worker, but he was also his fellow-soldier. Paul likens the Christian to a soldier in 2 Tim. 2:3-4, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." Paul’s service to the Lord was as intense as the service of any soldier, but Paul was not alone in that intense service; he refers to Epaphroditus as his fellow-soldier. Epaphroditus set aside the ordinary affairs of this life that he might serve in the Lord’s army.
Paul doesn’t stop there. Epaphroditus was Paul’s brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but he was also the messenger of the Philippian believers. Epaphroditus came to Rome representing the Philippian church. We read more about this in chapter 4. Paul is speaking about how he was content with little or much and how the Philippians had contributed to his physical needs more than once. Then we read in Phil. 4:18. "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God." Now the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit together. The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus as their representative, that he might deliver their gift to Paul. In that sense, he was their messenger.
Not only was Epaphroditus their messenger, but he was also the one who ministered to Paul’s needs (more accurate than “wants”). He didn’t just deliver their gift and then leave Paul. Apparently, it was understood that he would stay for a time and be a servant to Paul. The word translated “minister” is not the common word for “serve” or “minister.” Rather, it is that word that was used of priestly service, of religious service. It is the same word that Paul used in Rom. 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” In that verse, other translations render it, “which is your spiritual worship.” The concept partakes of both service and worship. It is the same word that Paul used back in Phil. 2:17, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith.” Their service to God was an act of worship, and so the same could be said of Epaphroditus’ service in helping meet Paul’s needs.
So now that we have identified Epaphroditus through the description of Paul in verse 25, let’s look more closely at his character in verses 26-27.
II. Epaphroditus Characterized
Let’s read again 2:26-27, "For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow." It takes us a minute to understand what is going on here. While Epaphroditus was there in Rome gladly helping Paul with whatever he needed, he became ill. As a matter of fact, he was critically ill, almost to the point of death. Well, the brothers and sisters back at Philippi heard the news of his serious illness. We read in verse 26 that Epaphroditus longed for them and was full of heaviness. This word translated “full of heaviness” means “to be troubled, to be distressed.” Other than here, it is used only by Matthew and Mark as they describe the distress of Jesus in the garden. Matt. 26:37, "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy." Epaphroditus was troubled, but it wasn’t because he was sick. Even after he had recovered, he was distressed that his brothers and sisters in Philippi had heard that he was sick. He was concerned that they were concerned about him.
Some of us need to hear this and we need to hear it well (I am the head of the list). It’s okay to be troubled, to be distressed, to be full of heaviness. Paul doesn’t chastise Epaphroditus for this; rather, he commends him that he was so concerned about his brothers and sisters. We are not told that he worried about them, but we are told that he was in distress out of a deep concern for them. Sometimes we can justify an uncaring attitude by appealing to scriptures like Phil. 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make let your requests be made known unto God.” A brother or sister is hurting deeply, and we say with a shrug, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). We do know that, but if that knowledge is not coupled with a deep godly concern for those who are in the midst of the “all things,” then we are guilty of being cold and uncaring.
Like Timothy, who was willing to truly care for the Philippians, so Epaphroditus was a man who was moved to compassion for those he loved so dearly in Christ. He was not just concerned about their safety and well being, but he hated to see them concerned about him. Don’t you know he longed to get word to them as quickly as possible that he was okay. Do you think maybe this is the main reason that Paul found it necessary to send Epaphroditus back to them? Certainly he was a great help to Paul, but Paul could see that the heart of this man was breaking out of concern for his brothers and sisters.
So how would we characterize Epaphroditus? Since Paul referred to him as a “fellow-worker,” he must have been willing to work for the cause of Christ. Since he called Epaphroditus a “fellow-soldier,” we know that he abandoned the concerns of this life in order that he might please the Christ who called him to be a soldier. Notice Paul’s strong commendation of Eaphroditus in verse 30, “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” As we will see later, the Philippians didn’t always have opportunity to minister to Paul, but Epaphroditus was willing to leave his normal activities of life to go to Paul and serve him in any way necessary, even though it meant a brush with death. He didn’t regard his own life. It was more important to serve the Lord in this way than to be concerned about whether he lived or died. Doesn’t that echo what Jesus Himself said? Mark 8:35, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." And doesn’t it sound similar to Paul’s attitude in Phil. 1:20, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
Praise God for his selfless dedication to the Lord, for his service to God’s servant, and for his loving concern for God’s people. Yes, Epaphroditus did indeed display the mind of Christ.
III. Epaphroditus Recognized
So as Paul sends Epaphroditus back to Philippi with this letter, does he have anything to say about how they should receive this brother? We have already seen that Paul speaks very highly of Epaphroditus, but will he say anything more? Let’s read it again in 2:28-30…
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Again, by the time they get the letter, it will be true that Paul sent Epaphroditus to them. Did Epaphroditus know what was in the letter before it was read to the Philippians? We don’t know. Paul has told them of the faithful service of this man, and now he tells them how they must receive him.
When Paul says, “I sent him therefore the more carefully,” it is literally, “Therefore with the greater diligence I sent him.” Or perhaps even better, “Therefore I sent him eagerly.” Because you Philippians were so concerned about him and his great sickness, I eagerly sent him to you. I was eager for you to know that he is indeed all right. So when you see him again, rejoice. Not only will you rejoice, but I will be less concerned about you, because now you have been reunited with this man you love so dearly.
Now that certainly makes sense that they should rejoice when they see Epaphroditus again, but that isn’t the end of what Paul has to say about receiving him. At the end of verse 29 we read these words, “And hold such in reputation.” “In reputation” is the translation of a single word that means “in honor.” It is a compound word made up of “honor” with the little preposition “in” in front of it. We find the same word in 1 Pet. 2:4-6… (watch for “precious”)
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
This word refers to something or someone of great value.
Now let’s read it again: “And hold such in reputation.” “Such” is plural. The ESV brings this out by translating it “and honor such men.” Paul is not telling them just to value Epaphroditus, but all such people who follow his example. In other words, a man like that ought to be held in high honor; such a man ought to be valued very highly.
Then Paul again in verse 30 Paul summarizes the reason for holding such a man in honor: “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” Notice again that this goes deeper than the fact that Epaphroditus ministered to Paul on behalf of the Philippians. Ultimately, it was the work of Christ. Epaphroditus was on a mission from the Lord Jesus Himself. We wish we knew the exact details of what caused his sickness, etc., but ultimately it doesn’t matter. Paul makes it clear that the completion of the work almost cost Epaphroditus his life. The word translated “not regarded” is very strong. Let me read you a definition from the Greek dictionary (Thayer’s): “to rashly expose one’s self to danger; to be venturesome, reckless; to jeopardize one’s life.” This man believed it was important to serve the Lord, no matter what the cost. In so doing, he was supplying service to Paul that the whole church could not provide, because of his imprisonment in Rome.
Conclusion
So that is what our text brings forth. Paul identifies Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, as the messenger of the Philippian church. He characterizes him as a man who expressed deep concern for his brothers and sisters and who risked his life for the work of Christ. And Paul recognized him by telling the Philippians to receive him with joy and to value such men highly.
I want to close by making two points. First of all, can you see how Epaphroditus demonstrated the mind of Christ? Just focus on that last verse, where we are told that he almost died for the work of Christ, not regarding his own life. Who does that sound like? As he gave himself for the work of Christ, so Christ gave Himself for the glory of His Father and for the love of people like me. The great difference is that Jesus didn’t almost die; He did die. Let’s read it again in Rom. 5:6-8…
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Go to Heb. 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Notice that phrase “despising the shame.” Literally, it is “thinking down on the shame.” In other words, Jesus counted the shame of the cross of little consequence compared to what His death would accomplish. Jesus recklessly exposed Himself to the ultimate danger, knowing that there would be no escape. Yes, He became the propitiation for our sin, taking upon Himself the wrath of God to purchase our freedom. God made Jesus to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor. 5:21). Have you been made the righteousness of God in Christ?
Epaphroditus reflects the mind of Christ beautifully. As Jesus refused to regard His own life, so Epaphroditus refused to regard his. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a kernel of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal” (John 12:23-24).
The other thing I want to emphasize is this idea of recognition, of commendation. Paul openly told the Philippians to value highly those who lived like Epaphroditus. He set Epaphroditus in front of them as an example of one who displayed the mind of Christ. There is a strong message here for Ron Tyson. I confess to you that I have demonstrated an unhealthy fear of doing what Paul did. I was always afraid to hold one up as an example, because in doing I might slight someone else. The Lord is using this letter to convict me that my attitude has been wrong. Paul didn’t seem to have any fear that he would unduly elevate Epaphroditus and slight someone else. I need to wake up to the truth that we are the body of the Christ, and when one rejoices the rest of the body rejoices with him. I have asked the Lord to forgive me, and I asked you to forgive me for not calling attention to such shining examples.
But I want to speak to you about a much higher recognition and commendation than what we have here. Don’t you know it must have been a very humbling experience for Epaphroditus to have no less than the apostle Paul give him such a high commendation? But that’s nothing compared to the ultimate commendation. Are we not looking for something far greater? That is why we can endure the slander and ridicule of this world. All of that will fade into oblivion when we hear none other than the Lord Jesus Himself say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21,23). We are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:13-14). And because He is working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13), we will hear those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” What a day that will be!
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