Sending back a missionary is not an easy thing to do, neither is returning home early as a missionary; such situations can be really awkward. There will be many questions and concerns.
The Apostle Paul had to do it and we can learn from this example of Epaphroditus.
His Great Value in the Mission
The Apostle begins by stating the matter plainly and then commending Epaphroditus very highly. He doesn’t want them to get any wrong ideas, but to hold him in high regard.
First, Paul says that Epaphroditus is “my brother,” speaking to the affectionate bond established by working closely together for the Gospel. He was Paul’s “fellow worker,” part of his inner circle doing critical evangelism and church planting work. He was a “fellow soldier,” which is a way of referencing the opposition, persecution and suffering he endured with Paul, perhaps even prison in this spiritual warfare.
Epaphroditus was also their apostle or “messenger,” sent into pioneering missionary work with the Apostle Paul. Furthermore, he was sent to serve Paul’s needs as his assistant. They likely heard about Paul’s imprisonment and sent off Epaphroditus to “minister” to the Apostle. However, it appears that he ended up doing much more than this, as is often the case on the mission field.
The Apostle Paul had two main reasons for sending the missionary Epaphroditus back to his home church in Philippi. Epaphroditus needed to be with them again. And the Philippian church needed him for their own joy in the ministry.
His Need to Be Back Home
It was urgent that Epaphroditus return home to the Philippian church because of his longing for them and distress for them, and perhaps even because of the illness itself. These are emotional reasons, but they should not be looked upon as negative reasons, for Paul does not present them in such a manner.
It is not uncommon to write Epaphroditus off as homesick and emotionally frail, unfit for service. However, his longing for them was not likely immaturity, or a mental illness, or something showing him abnormal and unsuitable for the mission enterprise. More likely, this was an ongoing longing that was processed appropriately and spiritually.
The Apostle Paul validates and approves of him throughout this letter. Now was the right time to send him back, having completed his work, and recovered from near death. And it is possible that he would return again to Paul’s team sometime later after this trip home.
Epaphroditus’ anguish over his home church had to do with them hearing about his illness and wanting to communicate more clearly with them. If they were in Ephesus this would be a relatively brief trip, taking just days; but if they were in Rome, then travel would take weeks.
If he got sick on his way to see Paul, it could have been reported by a traveling companion, and Epaphroditus knew about their concern and wanted to get back soon. If he got sick later while with Paul, then maybe a messenger told the Philippians about Epaphroditus, and after they send a message of concern it is decided to send Epaphroditus back immediately.
The Apostle further confirms the seriousness of the illness and so the distress over this. Epaphroditus almost died for the Gospel! Paul himself was very emotionally involved as he emphasizes God’s mercy to him and not having “sorrow upon sorrow,” in his death.
God glorified Himself in healing and showing mercy to Epaphroditus, to Paul, to Philippians. There must have been intense prayers, prayer meetings, efforts, emotions, energy, faith expended. They were prepared for whatever God would do, but what a joy to have the mercy of healing!
Sometimes missionaries need to come home for periods of time for all sorts of good reasons, even retooling, and sometimes permanently. This should not be seen as failure, but as part of the intensity of the mission of the Gospel. Rather we are to rejoice in it all, especially as churches involved in sending and supporting!
The Church’s Need for More Joy
We don’t know the nature of the illness, extent of healing, or whether Epaphroditus would return to work with Paul. Yet, it seems that he was sent home earlier than expected.
The Apostle Paul had two goals in mind for the Philippians. First that they would see him and rejoice again; and second, that he himself would be relieved of the responsibility he bears for all of them.
The Apostle is eager to send Epaphroditus back to them that they may “rejoice again.” Seeing him would be cause to rejoice yet again, certainly over his recovery, but really to rejoice with him over all the Gospel work accomplished. So, Paul really wants to give them more joy, joy in the Mission!
Paul would no longer have to bear the burden of Epaphroditus not being where he should be right now and perhaps in his condition, and himself worrying about the Philippians’ concerns.
Paul further encourages the church to celebrate together with Epaphroditus. This would dispel any discouragement that might be lingering, or hesitancy on how to respond. He certainly doesn’t want his main church partner in the Mission to lose any enthusiasm over a normal minor setback, which really shouldn’t even be perceived as such. This is not a failure, but a success! Rejoice!
They are to make a big deal about his return. Welcome him, honor him, be filled with joy together. To do so “in the Lord” is to take a spiritual view of matters, Christ’s view of the Gospel Mission. Much has been accomplished, and their will be more to do, more sacrifices to be made!
Christ Himself had directed in it all—selecting him, sending him, returning him—through them. Epaphroditus gave what the whole church cold not give—their physical presence and service. If they all could have been there undoubtedly they all would have been. Epaphroditus was an extension of them, and Paul was grateful.
Epaphroditus served like Christ for Christ’s goals for the Gospel, risking and nearly giving up his life. Epaphroditus courageously put himself in harms way for the work of Christ. He did not play life safe. The Mission is risky. And this makes the joy all the more joyful!
The Apostle Paul had to do it and we can learn from this example of Epaphroditus.
Philippians 2:25–30 ESV “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”Epaphroditus quite possibly carried this letter to the Philippian church with him. If not, both he and the letter arrived in Philippi about the same time.
His Great Value in the Mission
The Apostle begins by stating the matter plainly and then commending Epaphroditus very highly. He doesn’t want them to get any wrong ideas, but to hold him in high regard.
First, Paul says that Epaphroditus is “my brother,” speaking to the affectionate bond established by working closely together for the Gospel. He was Paul’s “fellow worker,” part of his inner circle doing critical evangelism and church planting work. He was a “fellow soldier,” which is a way of referencing the opposition, persecution and suffering he endured with Paul, perhaps even prison in this spiritual warfare.
Epaphroditus was also their apostle or “messenger,” sent into pioneering missionary work with the Apostle Paul. Furthermore, he was sent to serve Paul’s needs as his assistant. They likely heard about Paul’s imprisonment and sent off Epaphroditus to “minister” to the Apostle. However, it appears that he ended up doing much more than this, as is often the case on the mission field.
The Apostle Paul had two main reasons for sending the missionary Epaphroditus back to his home church in Philippi. Epaphroditus needed to be with them again. And the Philippian church needed him for their own joy in the ministry.
His Need to Be Back Home
It was urgent that Epaphroditus return home to the Philippian church because of his longing for them and distress for them, and perhaps even because of the illness itself. These are emotional reasons, but they should not be looked upon as negative reasons, for Paul does not present them in such a manner.
It is not uncommon to write Epaphroditus off as homesick and emotionally frail, unfit for service. However, his longing for them was not likely immaturity, or a mental illness, or something showing him abnormal and unsuitable for the mission enterprise. More likely, this was an ongoing longing that was processed appropriately and spiritually.
The Apostle Paul validates and approves of him throughout this letter. Now was the right time to send him back, having completed his work, and recovered from near death. And it is possible that he would return again to Paul’s team sometime later after this trip home.
Epaphroditus’ anguish over his home church had to do with them hearing about his illness and wanting to communicate more clearly with them. If they were in Ephesus this would be a relatively brief trip, taking just days; but if they were in Rome, then travel would take weeks.
If he got sick on his way to see Paul, it could have been reported by a traveling companion, and Epaphroditus knew about their concern and wanted to get back soon. If he got sick later while with Paul, then maybe a messenger told the Philippians about Epaphroditus, and after they send a message of concern it is decided to send Epaphroditus back immediately.
The Apostle further confirms the seriousness of the illness and so the distress over this. Epaphroditus almost died for the Gospel! Paul himself was very emotionally involved as he emphasizes God’s mercy to him and not having “sorrow upon sorrow,” in his death.
God glorified Himself in healing and showing mercy to Epaphroditus, to Paul, to Philippians. There must have been intense prayers, prayer meetings, efforts, emotions, energy, faith expended. They were prepared for whatever God would do, but what a joy to have the mercy of healing!
Sometimes missionaries need to come home for periods of time for all sorts of good reasons, even retooling, and sometimes permanently. This should not be seen as failure, but as part of the intensity of the mission of the Gospel. Rather we are to rejoice in it all, especially as churches involved in sending and supporting!
The Church’s Need for More Joy
We don’t know the nature of the illness, extent of healing, or whether Epaphroditus would return to work with Paul. Yet, it seems that he was sent home earlier than expected.
The Apostle Paul had two goals in mind for the Philippians. First that they would see him and rejoice again; and second, that he himself would be relieved of the responsibility he bears for all of them.
The Apostle is eager to send Epaphroditus back to them that they may “rejoice again.” Seeing him would be cause to rejoice yet again, certainly over his recovery, but really to rejoice with him over all the Gospel work accomplished. So, Paul really wants to give them more joy, joy in the Mission!
Paul would no longer have to bear the burden of Epaphroditus not being where he should be right now and perhaps in his condition, and himself worrying about the Philippians’ concerns.
Paul further encourages the church to celebrate together with Epaphroditus. This would dispel any discouragement that might be lingering, or hesitancy on how to respond. He certainly doesn’t want his main church partner in the Mission to lose any enthusiasm over a normal minor setback, which really shouldn’t even be perceived as such. This is not a failure, but a success! Rejoice!
They are to make a big deal about his return. Welcome him, honor him, be filled with joy together. To do so “in the Lord” is to take a spiritual view of matters, Christ’s view of the Gospel Mission. Much has been accomplished, and their will be more to do, more sacrifices to be made!
Christ Himself had directed in it all—selecting him, sending him, returning him—through them. Epaphroditus gave what the whole church cold not give—their physical presence and service. If they all could have been there undoubtedly they all would have been. Epaphroditus was an extension of them, and Paul was grateful.
Epaphroditus served like Christ for Christ’s goals for the Gospel, risking and nearly giving up his life. Epaphroditus courageously put himself in harms way for the work of Christ. He did not play life safe. The Mission is risky. And this makes the joy all the more joyful!
No comments:
Post a Comment