Example of Cooperation

25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need— 26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. 27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious. 29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor, 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me. (Philippians 2:25-30) We saw how Timothy and Paul’s relationship exemplified a good Christian mentorship relationship. Closing out the chapter, from verses 25 to 30, Paul speaks about Epaphroditus, a great example of a cooperative relationship. Verse 25, we see Paul list many titles for Epaphroditus, all compliments of his dedication, “my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need.” Epaphroditus was a fellow believer from the church at Philippi and came to share their letter with support funds to Paul, as well as care for him while he was in prison. In verses 26 and 27, we read why Paul is sending Epaphroditus back to the church at Philippi, “since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick…so sick that he nearly died.” Epaphroditus was homesick, on top of the fact that he knew his home church was worried about his current condition, hearing that he almost died. We don’t know the specific way in which he almost met his end, but we do know that it was all prevented because of God’s mercy, “God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.” As Anders states, “In His providence, God chose to let the young minister live. Paul saw this as evidence of mercy in his own life, for it spared Paul added worry and sorrow at a time when his sorrow cup was already filled.” Verse 28, because of this major reason, Paul is sending Epaphroditus home sooner than planned, “For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious.” Paul’s stress would be lessened, knowing that Epaphroditus would be safely back with his home church, as well as be able to minister to them in Paul’s stead while he awaits his legal outcome. Remember that Paul called Epaphroditus as his fellow coworker and fellow soldier, a call of confidence in his ability to minister as Paul would have been able to minister if he were able to be out of his chains. Verse 29, Paul calls them to welcome Epaphroditus with open arms, and not to criticize him for leaving Paul earlier than planned, “Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor.” Finally, in verse 30, Paul wants the church at Philippi not to look at Epaphroditus as a sickly individual who failed his mission, but rather a hero who risked his life to bring glory to Christ by ministering to Paul while he was in chains in Rome, “he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.” Epaphroditus was working in cooperation with Paul, traveling all the way from Philippi to Rome to deliver an update on how the church was doing and provide financial support. Not only that, but Epaphroditus stayed and ministered to Paul while he was in prison, faithfully serving even to the point of near death. Paul also had the wisdom to recognize that Epaphroditus could do the work that Paul wanted to do at the church in the Philippi, trusting him and sending him back. May we be like Paul and Epaphroditus, who trusted one another and ministered to one another, seeking out God’s will. Blessings, Isaac De Guzman www.my-wbc.com https://www.facebook.com/WestsideBaptistChurchSBC