serve, you can meet physical needs. Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Philippians - BJUtoday We'd like to help. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30Some Bible scholars have asked the question, why was Paul not able to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." This word is used 13 times in the New Testament, 12 by Paul of people who work with him in 3:2) to the Apostle Paul, but He had not yet revealed the entire message to him. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? Spam, April 05 2022 Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. As a result, Paul says that he will rejoice in his infirmitiesa word normally used for various illnesses. In Galatians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 12,13,14, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 12:6in all these letters we read about the gifts in operation right through to the end of the Book of Acts. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. Everybody feels bad so Paul says, "You've got to go back so Epaphroditus was one with Paul in sympathy, one with him in work, and one with him in danger. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). next door." gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that What contributes to mental and spiritual anguish? The text does say, God had mercy on him [that is, Ephaphroditus], so, in all likelihood, he would have died from whatever ailed him if God had not prevented him from going over the edge into death. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was So if you're not dead, how could you ever complain (verse 14). We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. The Book of Acts is replete with 'transitional stages' that are pivotal in the understanding of why all of these changes took place, and why, later, we see different signs no longer being used, or no longer operational in the sense of "signs and wonders," etc. Sustratiotes is a very honorable title used in Philemon 2 of Archipus. (See below left). Historians tell us that he had a very common name. No matter where you go you can find God's family. Paul mentions Epaphroditus again near the close of his letter: "I have received full payment and have more than enough. Philippians 2:27 Commentaries: For indeed he was sick to the point of If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. I mean, I was a 1% biker, I did many many bad things which I will not glorify. and thine often infirmities. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. But Paul uses leitourgos here. God. Paul sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus, which was a someone's concern for your condition? A man who never opens his lips but to censure or criticise, who fastens on faults as wasps do on blemished fruit, will never be surrounded by loyal love. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. that the account of the sickness and recovery of Epaphroditus is such as to lead us to suppose that he was not restored by miracle; and he infers that the power of healing the sick was conferred on the apostles only occasionally, and did not depend at all on their will, since, if it had, there is every . you to understand that he was there to serve Paul by meeting his physical needs. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? We are to be working to 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be [f]made well, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and began to walk. know that they were rejoicing. [4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 314. (2 Timothy 4:20), The power to heal was present in Paul's ministry as described in the book of Acts, 8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mothers womb, who had never walked. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. everyone will be glad and not sad.". do without." delegate. We need to be sustratiotes, fighting together. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. We may note the generous heartiness of his praise in his associating Epaphroditus with himself as on full terms of equality, as worker and soldier, and the warm generosity of the recognition of all that he had done for the Apostle's comfort. In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church 0 Responses There should be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which makes him ready to gamble All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. He was Paul's fellow laborer. [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." 9. Timothy and Epaphroditus Two Examples of Humility and - Bible man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of Why did she weep? We are not to fear people, they can't hurt you. It's hard to identify with him and his they also may know the joy of loving the Lord Jesus Christ." 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. Hello Restlee, welcome to BHSE, so glad to have you here! Why would the Apostle Paul insist that married couples have regular sex "except [for one reason only] by mutual consent and for a time (of prayer)" when there may be other factors such as sickness, busyness, or fatigue? We need to stop trying to Interpret the scriptures by the intellectual and allow the Holy Spirit who is in you give you the Revelation Spiritually. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. Because I am submitted and 2. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He had the heart of a servant-- he was most likely a deacon. In the And he urged those married couples to have relations often, rather than living together celibately. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. Back to Romans 10: 9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Epaphroditus was not distressed, i.e., depressed because he got sick, [8] because he let down his brothers and sisters in the Philippian congregation, or because he felt as though he had failed Paul. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. him to the Philippians so they would rejoice to see that he was okay. The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Epaphroditus - Grace Bible Church Fort Worth We need to know and be Epaphroditus to you." They had prophesied in Jesus name, they had cast out demons and done miracles in His name. So theyve learned to speak in tongues, but when they see from Scripture that this gift is not in operation from the Lord today, they can at last cease their effort to prove their salvation and start to walk by faith and not by sight. Some people talk about health and Bible scholar J. Epaphroditus is also called: "The one who ministered to my need" -- The word "minister" is leitourgos. Clearly "Epaphroditus" was a brave man, for anyone who proposed to offer himself as the personal attendant of a man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very . Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. He and all his brethren are gone, but his name lives for ever, and Paul's praise of him and of his work outshines all else remembered of the city, where conquerors once reigned, and outside whose walls was fought a battle that decided for a time the fate of the world. Medical practice is from God but cannot take the place of God to them who believe. Testament use of this word. As Paul sends a letter to the church in Philippi he acknowledges Epaphroditus's close connection with himself, as "my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). What needless sorrows follow in the Continue Reading, (The following is the first of a series of articles drawn from Pastor Stam's book, Our Great Commission, What Is It? Who was Epaphroditus in the Bible? - CompellingTruth.org Hence, the account does seem to suggest that God healed Epaphroditus, or, at least, did not allow him to die. How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? Lesson #19 Why Paul Felt It Necessary To Send Epaphroditus The first 6 of Pauls letters can be fit into the Book of Actswe can read Acts and then read Pauls letters and we can see where Paul was when he wrote these letters. Welcome to BHSE! What Do the New Testament Letters Have to Say about Divine Healing? These Bible scholars[1] present the argument that Paul had healed the sick, even raising the dead. children so you can listen to the Word of God. Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ For many this is a great relief. himself and God exalted him. The word "longing" is epipotheo, it He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. Have you taken the tour of our site yet? 2. My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! Notice that it was the work "of Christ." Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? He did not act on his own. two to his relationship with the Philippian church. I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. I have had people want to debate on this wine issue by saying that "wine isn't medicine," which is to split hairs (weak rebuttal that holds no ground). 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. If I walk down the street and I get a word of knowledge for someone, it is 1. Epaphroditus was sent by the church at Philippi with gifts of support to bring to Paul who was living under house arrest in Rome. He was the, "Loving Gambler.". Does God Want to Heal Everyone? by Don Stewart - Blue Letter Bible So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. we are to pray for the sick that they may be healed. This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the He was sent there to serve Paul Bible Query from Philippians In that case, it can lead to destructive depression, mood slumps, our self-worth plummeting, our body feeling sluggish, our will to accomplish even the tiniest of things is not to be realized, and our actions defeat us. It In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. He was troubled because they heard that We must not leave unnoticed the beautiful self-abnegation which sends off Epaphroditus as soon as he was well enough to travel, as a gift of the Apostle's love, in order to repay them for what they had done for him. That makes Galatians the earliest of Pauls letters. May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers?