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Epaphroditus

 

While in a Roman prison, the Apostle Paul writes a letter to the Church in Philippi. In this letter he mentions a specific believer named Epaphroditus. Philippians 2:25, “Yet I consider it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier….”

Chances are, despite reading Philippians before, we may not have “caught on” to this man named Epaphroditus. After all, he really isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament other than this short recognition by Paul.

I find it interesting that what is said about Epaphroditus is worth mentioning. No, he may not have been a “famous Bible character.” No, he may not have had vivid and gallant stories written about him such as Moses, David, Daniel or Peter, but they are still worth recalling as he was a huge help to Paul.

Paul refers to Epaphroditus as his brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier. In his letter, Epaphroditus is described as a lover of people, a risk taker, tireless worker, and one who had a heart of a “servant-leader.” If it weren’t for the zeal and dedication of this man, we may not have gotten this letter to Philippians in the Bible! How is that? Paul was in prison. He was in chains. He had no other connections in Philippi to get help.

Epaphroditus, despite being very ill, makes the journey from Philippi to Rome to visit and care for Paul while in prison. During his visit there, Paul writes his letter to the Philippian church. Once completed, it was his trusted brother, Epaphroditus, who took the letter and hand-delivered it to the Philippians. Epaphroditus played a key role.

Can you relate to Epaphroditus? Maybe you feel that what you contribute and have to offer seems mostly obscure to other people. Do you struggle with thoughts of quitting or “letting someone else do it” because you wonder if you are even making a difference? I am very confident that Epaphroditus answers those concerns for us!

Yes! Epaphroditus shows us that everything we do is vital to God’s Kingdom! Everything done for God’s glory, building His Kingdom, and bringing others to Christ is significant and should be considered priceless.

Therefore, we have no right to label anything “too small” or petty. We cannot pass judgment on an effort as “failure” just because “only 20 people came” to an event that we planned for 100 to attend. We must never shun anything that is an act of service or sacrifice unto the Lord.

I believe this is what makes the Gospel story of the “Widow’s Offering” so powerful. Mark 12:41-44, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

It’s not the size, amount, grandeur, results, or impact that really matters the most. In fact, what “it” is that I’m doing isn’t even the focus. It is the heart which is the seedbed of intentions. It isn’t “what” I am doing, but “why” I am doing it. The motivation for wanting to please God, do the right thing, and to love my neighbor as myself.

That’s why I must adopt the attitude of Epaphroditus that there are NO acts of service that would be considered “beneath me” to do. That is why I can pick up debris off the bathroom floor or take a bag of garbage to the dumpster. I can do all kinds of things such as direct traffic/parking for a large funeral service, volunteer to help in the nursery, or be an adult presence in a children’s Sunday School class. Like, Epaphroditus, we can be a brother, sister and “fellow soldier” for someone else’s sake.

The bottom line is that we should all be found doing something for God’s glory. Do what you know to do. Do what you have the ability and means to accomplish. The Holy Spirit will reveal those things to us, but we must still respond and do them. The worst thing that could happen is if we choose to do nothing at all. Be an Epaphroditus!

Galatians 6:9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

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