"But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. Then he goes on to say that he was But Paul uses leitourgos here. Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. 0 Responses Too often our attitude is, "I can't help, I could catch it and His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). Emotional It only takes a minute to sign up. Have you taken the tour of our site yet? 19:28). at after carefully weighing the facts. And in verses 29-30, we are given the exaltation and kenosis of ), [6] MM J. H. Moulton and G. Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (London, 191429). There was no reliable way of getting these to Paul but to take them, and so Epaphroditus faced the long journey across Greece to Brindisi and Rome, and when arrived there threw himself with ardour into serving Paul. Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? someone who would represent the church well. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. Spam, February 08 2023 In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it And he wrote to the Corinthians about the gift of healing that was operating in their church during the Acts period (1 Cor. We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. This is the depth of love and care. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27? This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a with Paul helping him?". But neither does it say Paul attempted to heal him and failed. the proclamation of the gospel effective. In his letter thanking the Philippians, Paul makes a point of telling the church that Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27), and that he would return to them soon. parabolani, the gamblers. mercy that any of us live. know when he was converted, he might have been among the first converts in Philippi. She had a very famous son, Eros, better known by his Roman name, Cupid. John 1:12 ). We have no record of any If he is so valuable, why He as a spiritually mature man. And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus was at the door of death. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the Consider the Book of Mark chapter 16 verses 17-20. 1000 Chattanooga Street Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. 12:9). Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. Those who work in the tape ministry are my When we arrange the letters in the order that they were written, all becomes clear! 0 Responses , , , , , 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, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Epaphroditus wanted to go back to Philippi so they would see that he was alright and end their But in this time period, in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, Paul tells us that the Lord had revealed to him that these gifts would cease some day. That is what God calls us to. ministry. 5:23) and Paul cant heal him, doesnt recommend that he go to a healer in the church, doesnt send a prayer cloth or a bottle of anointing oil (remember the miracles of some 8 years earlier in Acts 19:11-12). If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. Do you know who my co-laborers are? When is the last time that this happened to you? to, so much that he almost lost his life pouring it out in sacrificial service to meet Paul's physical Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? He re-introduces Epaphroditus to them as someone who had risked his own life for the sake of others, even "to the point of death". When he recovers, Paul sends him back to Philippi This is For many this is a great relief. In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. Literally this is "wave after wave of grief.". [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." Negative thoughts that flood our minds are the actual contributors to our self-defeating emotions. If they wanted to Clarify In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). No, the answer is that God's program had changed. We need to know and be Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. Why is there a need for healing leaves from the tree in Revelations? Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. Keyword: "IF". Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul. What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. He risked his life as a gambler will take risks What we do know for sure is that Epaphroditus illness was so severe that he almost died (v. 27). ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death Colossians 1:7 of a different man. What to do? been painful. He was not just to Shortly after the end of the Book of Acts, while he was still a prisoner, now in Rome, Paul wrote four lettersthe prison epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. No one was more charismatic than the Apostle Paul. Epaphroditus is Paul only calls him a "brother" ( Phil. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. have survived without him but that's not how Epaphroditus saw it. All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). This is not a rebuke, it literally means: "to complete your service to me." This is the last letter written during the Book of Acts. Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry messages, or do what ever Paul needed. The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? Perhaps Paul said this precisely because the Philippians might be tempted to judge Epaphroditus for being ill, concluding that he was being chastised by God for some secret or even scandalous sin. A place where magic is studied and practiced? All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. So, in short, Epaphroditus grew sick on his 600-mile journey to Rome, to the point of death, which delayed him from fulfilling his mission of helping Paul. 12:9). Thanks for listening. Do you have questions about the Bible? 25 But I [Paul] thought it necessary to send to you [Philippians] Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; 26 since he has been longing for all[2] of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Epaphroditus is one of us, which makes his example very powerful and very convicting to us. We are to labor in calling men to be reconciled to God. We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. 1 Corinthians 7:5. You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church Then the report found its way back to Rome, and Epaphroditus got home-sick and was restless, uneasy, 'sore troubled,' as the Apostle says, because they had heard he had been sick. When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. All we can do is guess. But he suns himself in the thought of the Philippians' joy, and in the hope that some reflection of it will travel across the seas to him, and make him, if not wholly glad, at any rate 'the less sorrowful.'. Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). Isn't that Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? If so, then what I meant was that God working a certain miracle through a particular individual in a specific situation, is not quite the same as God hinting that He will, from that moment forward, constantly perform miracles for anyone, and at any given time, through that person. It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph.
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