Paul’s friends in Philippi chose a man to carry their help to him, and Paul wanted them to know what that cost. He calls Epaphroditus “my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier.” Epaphroditus fell so ill that he was “nigh unto death.” Paul writes that “God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also.” What troubled Epaphroditus most was that the church back home had heard he was sick. Philippians 2:25-30 is a short, warm portrait of ordinary faithful service.
4 verses
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
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.
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Matthew George Easton, 1897
Fair, graceful; belonging to Aphrodite or Venus the messenger who came from Phillipi to the apostle when he was a prisoner at Rome (Phil. 2:25-30; 4:10-18). Paul mentions him in words of esteem and affection. On his return to Philippi he was the bearer of Paul’s letter to the church there.
William Smith, 1884
(lovely), the full name of which Epaphras is a contraction. (Philemon 2:25; 4:18)