When we are separated from those we love, it is only natural to be concerned about how they are. On the other hand, when we are going through trouble, we are tempted to think that no one cares about us. In both of these situations, an encouraging letter or a visit from a concerned friend can be a tremendous boost to our morale. In view of this, the Apostle Paul writes in chapter 2, verses 19 through 30 of his letter to the followers of Christ at Philippi:
“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing. For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you. For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly. But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need; since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow. I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor, because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.”
Paul writes that he is sending Timothy. Timothy was a young man whom Paul had met on his second missionary journey. Paul was so impressed by his faith and dedication that he took him as a helper and trained him as an evangelist. Two of the inspired letters in the New Testament are addressed to him. Timothy was with Paul when he established the church at Philippi, so it was fitting for Paul to send him as a messenger to Philippi. It was especially appropriate as Timothy had a genuine interest in the welfare of the people at Philippi.
Paul equates being concerned about the people at Philippi with being concerned about the things of Christ. If we are truly interested in the things of Christ, we will also be interested in the welfare of His people. In chapter 2, verse 4, Paul had already exhorted the people to whom he is writing to look out for the interests of others rather than their own. In the very next verse he told them to have the attitude of Christ who emptied Himself and became a servant so He could die on our behalf. The spirit of Christ is one of self-sacrifice. Do we put the interests of others ahead of our own?
It is one thing to claim to have the interests of others at heart, it is another to demonstrate it. There was no question about Timothy, however. Paul writes that he had served as a son serves his father in spreading the gospel. The people at Philippi were, themselves, witnesses of Timothy’s dedication and genuine concern.
Another person whom Paul commends is Epaphroditus. This man had been sent by the church in Philippi with gifts to meet Paul’s needs while in prison. Paul not only reminds the people at Philippi of Epaphroditus’ work and his loyalty, but calls him his brother. Why would Paul feel the need to stress this? It appears that the church at Philippi intended Epaphroditus to help Paul indefinitely, or on a permanent basis, and were supporting him so he could do so. If this is the case, they would naturally question why Paul was sending him back. Had he done something wrong? Was he unsuited to do the work? Was he cowardly? Paul puts all of these speculations to rest. He not only holds Epaphroditus in the highest regard, but urges the followers of Christ at Philippi to do so as well.
Why, then, did Paul send Epaphroditus back to Philippi? Since Paul was in jail, it is obvious that he could not go himself. Similarly, though Paul was hoping to send Timothy soon, there apparently was some task or responsibility which prevented him from going immediately. In these circumstances, Epaphroditus was the logical person to go, especially since he was from Philippi. In addition, it seems that Epaphroditus was homesick. Paul writes, “…he longed for all of you…” (2:26) He not only had a very close relationship with Paul, but had such a feeling of love for those he had left at Philippi that it distressed him to be away from them. His distress was not merely personal, however. It was increased by the knowledge that his loved ones at home had heard about his illness. His desire to spare them anxiety increased his own distress.
Perhaps the most important reason for sending Epaphroditus back was his health. It seems that he had performed whatever task Paul had assigned him with such zeal and determination that it broke his health. His illness was so severe that it almost killed him. Paul was anxious not only to reassure the church at Philippi that Epaphroditus had recovered, but also to prevent his illness from recurring.
Before going forward it is necessary to make something clear. Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his “fellow soldier.” (2:25) Some people have the idea that the way to spread our faith is through the sword. But when Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier that is not what he has in mind. In Ephesians 6:12 he writes, “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” In another place he says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) So, when Paul calls Epaphroditus a soldier, he does not mean that he was prepared to fight a physical battle but, rather, a spiritual one. A true follower of Christ never takes up arms in order to spread his religion.
Paul writes that Epaphroditus and people like him are worthy of honor. The reason is that he risked his life on behalf of the gospel. The word which Paul uses is a gambling term. In order to serve Christ, Epaphroditus staked his own life. Many people want honor, but are they willing to put it all on the line for Christ like Epaphroditus did?