But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. Epaphroditus appears to have been a tremendous help to Paul, and somehow, possibly as a result of caring for Paul (Philippians 2:30), Epaphroditus gets sick and nearly dies. This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. Our thoughts based on a good mood will be entirely different from those based on our being upset. Philippians 1:25, and note), was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment. Let me ask a question: Acts 2:21 Peter is preaching after receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Have you ever watched Vote Up Thanks for listening. Why did the Apostle Paul leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27? That is what God calls us to. Paul could have still used Epaphroditus, but he cared more about their joy than his own physical Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain. himself and God exalted him. 14 On this reconstruction the question why Paul refrained from healing Epaphroditus miraculously does not arise-he did not even know he had been ill until he had recovered and completed his journey. He knew they would be sad and their sadness has greatly affected him-- not his The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. involved in. Dreadnoughts are a peculiar expression of the brotherhood of men after nineteen centuries of so-called Christianity. In verses 26-28, we are given the reasons for We may further note the intensity of Paul's sympathy. Amen. destruction and desolation. 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. This is the only other New We briefly note some general lessons which may be suggested by the picture of Epaphroditus as he stands by the side of Paul. In each of these letters he writes of his chainssee Ephesians 6:20, Colossians 4:18, Philemon 13 and Philippians 1:13. Apart from Acts arguably Luke or Paul wrote it and Paul wrote the others - does anyone else say Paul could do miracles? May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? We are to labor in calling men to be reconciled to God. God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. 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. sadness. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. Calculating probabilities from d6 dice pool (Degenesis rules for botches and triggers), Recovering from a blunder I made while emailing a professor. 1. of the church. were operating all through the Book of Acts, and these gifts are mentioned in the letters that Paul wrote during the Acts period. looked at it as "spiritual worship." delegate. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Those things are just as Epaphroditus had nearly died in bringing the Philippians' gift to Paul in Rome, but God spared the apostle from great sorrow by healing him. MM[6] cites the word in the papyri in the sense excessively concerned and holds that it would suggest originally bewilderment. The combination makes it clear that Jesus was in great distress of spirit.[7]. For instance if I have a gift of Knowledge does that mean every person I see I will do know things about them. who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases. Epaphroditus but passes across the illuminated disc of the lantern for a moment, and we have scarcely time to catch a glimpse of his face before it is lost to us. But the PROVERBS 1:1 How can we accept the majority of Proverbs by Solomon when Solomon did what was evil in the eyes of God? Simply: Stop! It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph. Thanks. Epaphroditus who was to stay at Rome and help Paul in any way he could. Paul was the prisoner and enemy of Rome. This is a self-less man. It has an interesting The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. Even medical doctors who are saved will tell you they rely on the power of God all the time and will encourage their patients to rely on God Who is the only healer. Remember that God is not a man that He should lie. How about the Gift of Faith, do we not all have Faith, so how does this work when a person has a Gift of Faith? So, to sum up what we have seen so far, from Acts 9 through Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. January 23 2014 Report 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. someone who would represent the church well. Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to that Paul didn't heal. Notice that it was the work "of Christ." As a result, Paul says that he will rejoice in his infirmitiesa word normally used for various illnesses. he was sick. accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? When Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the choice of men to be elders in the churches, Paul says nothing about the desirability of these men having a gift such as prophecy, or healing, or other sign gifts (see Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Tim. In Gaiuss home, in Corinth, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (see Rom. Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry Paul had to do a very trusted voice to help Epaphroditus offset his irrational thinking and replace it with rational thoughts, resulting in Epaphroditus actually changing his mood. [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. Longer letters are first, shorter ones later. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. We have also to notice Paul's delicate recognition of all friendly help. 1:14). He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. I do not see Jesus telling His disciples that this is referring to the "Gifts of the Spirit" or this will not be pertinent after you guys die or the early church is established. Vote Up This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ She was the goddess becoming involved in the same charge. His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have Please don't tell me that Miracles have ceased because Salvation is the Greatest MIRACLE that can happen in any persons life. Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ. They labor in setting up the And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Pauls, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. In a while, don't be surprised to have this "answer" you've given disappear. Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Paul's, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. Historians tell us that he had a very common name. He wasn't distressed because he was sick but because the Self-talk is what we tell ourselves in our thoughts. where it ends for many, they are brothers, but not for Epaphroditus. Timothys return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. we are all from the same womb, we're family. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the And Paul was rejoicing to We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. Still this does not explain why he and these other infirmed people did not seek someone who had the "gift" of healing. Epaphroditus is one of the less known of Paul's friends. It is here in Ephesus during Acts 19 that Paul wrote 1 Corinthianssee I Corinthians 16:19. What we do know for sure is that Epaphroditus illness was so severe that he almost died (v. 27). Pauls gift of healing (Acts 28:9) was no longer operating in Philippians 2:27, 1 Timothy 5:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20. been painful. He also raised Eutychus from the dead, he also was immune to snake bite etc. He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to First-century life, however, was far different. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. It is a pathetic little picture of the Macedonian stranger in the great city -- pallid looks, recent illness, and pining for home and a breath of pure mountain air, and for the friends he had left. Arranging Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them allows us to see the pattern of truth that is found in the Word of God: The sign gifts were operating in Acts and in all of the Acts Epistles: Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians and Romans. I was having shortness of breath and others things like palpitations, light headedness,insomnia and all that. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). 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 . To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. sorrow." Pauls letters are arranged in our Bible by two principles: The letters to the churches are put firstnine letters from Romans to 2 Thessalonians, then the four letters written to individualsfrom 1 Timothy to Philemon. Paul was quick to send life like it is something they deserve. Of note: Reference Hebrews 6:2-3 which says: "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Paul's first burst of gratitude and praise does not exhaust all that he has to say about Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus to you." apostolic delegate. This miraculous healing was not only for Epaphroditus benefit but for Pauls as well, something that the Lord worked in order to keep the Apostle from having to endure the extra sorrow of losing a friend on top of the sorrows of suffering in prison (Phil. We have what I and stand against the social evils of our day. When is the last time you set aside something on your agenda able to defend doctrine. June 11th 2000, I came to the Lord, He healed me of lung cancer, irreversible nerve damage caused by my lifestyle and replaced 3 discs in my lower back that were gone: vertebra rubbing vertebra. 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." Timothy was sick and he didn't heal him: Why didn't Paul heal his friends? The word of God is very clear on every subject. "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life Look at the rest of the verse: "was Why did she weep? 7:22-23). Epaphroditus lived out Philippians 2:1-16, he is the "Loving Gambler.". We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied The purpose of the gift of healing was not to keep Christians In Philippians 2 we read of a healing that God did after the gift of healing had ceased to operate: Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. But the Lord revealed to Paul that that which is perfect was coming. the proclamation of the gospel effective. It would be like the difference between being a child and becoming a grown man, or between seeing someones face reflected in a wavy ancient mirror, and seeing the person face-to-face. Whether we are well or sick, whether we are like Epaphroditus or like Timothy, we can always claim this promise from the Lord that His grace and strength are sufficient for us. You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church All through the Book of Acts we read of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, etc.for example, tongues and prophecy in Acts 19:6, the gift of prophecy in Acts 21:10-14, the gift of healing in Acts 19:11-12 and 28:8,9, etc. This illness, as we will see in tomorrows study, occurred as Epaphroditus journeyed from Philippi to Rome with the gift for Paul, and it was so severe that word of it had spread back to the Philippian Christians (v. 26). The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. Vote Up These men and women of God where normal people of God, who made mistakes just like us and didnt do everything perfect. The miracles of healing that the Yes, they really had had these experiences. That wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills? 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. Fortunately for both Epaphroditus and Paul, God was merciful and intervened in the situation by healing Epaphroditus. There was no reliable way of getting these to Paul but to take them, and so Epaphroditus faced the long journey across Greece to Brindisi and Rome, and when arrived there threw himself with ardour into serving Paul. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? 11 God was performing extraordinary [e]miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. Hello Restlee, welcome to BHSE, so glad to have you here! The Lord does the same thing for us today, although the little blessings He provides often go unnoticed. Many Christians today have had an experience that they think is the scriptural gift of tongues. Paul goes on to say: "My companion in labor" -- the Greek word for companion is sunergos. His letter to the Philippians was just one of four "Prison Epistles" written during this time. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. We are Was it because he had lost his faith, as some would tell us? In A.D. 252, plague broke out in Carthage; In our ministry, we (my wife and I) operate in the Gifts of the Spirit almost every Sunday and Wednesday. Testament, 20 of them refer to physical sickness. She's the It was a title of great honor. 2:25; cf. theological term "kenosis.". He had the heart of a servant-- he was most likely a deacon. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part 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. That which is perfect had come and so the sign gifts had passed away. honor a solider, they would give him the title -- Sustratiotes. The question has always been: when? Three relate to his relationship with Paul and View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. He was in the first place Paul's helper in the Gospel, and his faithfulness there is set forth in a glowing climax, 'My brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier.' It only takes a minute to sign up. Epaphroditus was distressed because the Philippians were distressed over his terrible illness. The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." James (Gal. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? So Paul with rare abnegation sent him away at once, though Timothy was to follow shortly, and accompanied him with this outpouring of love and praise in his long homeward journey. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. 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? 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. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext God's sparing of Epaphroditus' life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. Before the end of the Book of Acts, during the Acts period, and in the letters written during the Acts period, the Lord had only revealed part of the dispensation of grace (Eph. We have no reason to suppose that Epaphroditus took part with Paul in his more properly apostolic work, and the fact that the purely material help, and pecuniary service which most probably comprised all his 'ministering,' is honoured by Paul with these lofty designations, carries with it large lessons as to the sanctity of common life. 2. goddess of luck. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? sisters in Christ in other countries. Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? He risked his life as a gambler will take risks He is mentioned nowhere else in the 2:25-30). What he had not yet received in 1 Corinthians 13, he now has. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me (Phil. The Apostle's heartfelt eulogium upon him shows two phases of his work. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 120. we don't know. John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. be grieved over his sickness. Paul commends Epaphroditus very highly for his faithfulness even unto death. Hello Uche Ogu, welcome to BHSE, glad to have you with us! Epaphroditus is What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. His level of sacrificial service becomes very instructive to us. This I subscribe to the view that the reason is because the gifts that he was performing in the early days was a "sign to the Jews"; not all spiritual gifts are still in operation today; or, they aren't necessarily "needed." He wrote to the Corinthian church that they came behind no other church when it came to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. A shoulder-to-shoulder fighting Spam, March 20 2018 to, so much that he almost lost his life pouring it out in sacrificial service to meet Paul's physical in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. healthy. Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? This . 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. 1:7)no church had more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit than the Corinthian church, yet Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all of them (1 Cor. He speaks of Epaphroditus' recovery as a mercy to himself 'lest he should have the sorrow of imprisonment increased by the sorrow of his friend's death.' Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. Epaphroditus loved the Philippians, who he was representing, and Paul, who he was ministering It is used in extra-biblical Greek to honor a solider. Asked January 21 2014 The word "esteem" is entimos, it means: The kenosis of Christ is the attitude that he had that led him to divest himself of any concern for It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? So why didn't he heal Epaphroditus? It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. I think sometimes it is wise to not isolate the Gift of Healing when we think about these questions. The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. What year did Ezra leave Babylon and arrive in Jerusalem? If the gift of healing was still in operation, it's unlikely that Paul would have said to use something to merely "help" with your "infirmities." needs. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. Acts 28:25-28 stands as Gods last words to the nation of Israel for nearly two millennia. 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. rev2023.3.3.43278. "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. God healed me of heart disease. He was not just to We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. And they did, because in the letters written after the Book of Acts, the sign gifts had ceased, just as the Lord said that they would. The Apostolic Gifts are no longer in operation today: 1) Laying on of hands to heal someone (if this were still the case, then people could walk into nursing homes and hospitals and begin healing people left-and-right, but this doesn't happen. Spam, November 06 2014 Paul highly honors Epaphroditus with these In verse 26, Paul used the Greek word ( admone), to define/explain Epaphroditus situation/condition, which means to be distressed and troubled [i.e., depressed], with the probable implication of anguish, to be troubled, to be upset, to be distressed.[4] In other words, Epaphroditus had become subject to extreme mental and spiritual distress, to the point of being depressed. fulfilling our mission statement: "To influence friends who are living in spiritual darkness that Epaphroditus is also called: "The one who ministered to my need" -- The word "minister" is leitourgos. All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. Negative thoughts that flood our minds are the actual contributors to our self-defeating emotions. He wasn't a teacher nor preacher that we know of. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. The gift of tongues and the gift of healing has ceased. If our hearts are set to 'hallow all we find,' the most secular duties will be acts of worship. Paul is saying that God was PERMITTING them to do certain signs so that the Jews might believe that they were of God. delivering the money and someone who would work so closely with the apostle would have to be Proverbs 4:20-23. The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. The words "not regarding" are from the Greek word parabouleuomai. Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is mercy. Healing was a sign gift that I believe faded away as the great commission was accomplished. Hardly. To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. By that I Epaphroditus felt extreme guilt as though he had failed in his mission from the Philippian congregation, having to let them down, so he grew depressed. Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite" [1] which was an idiom meaning "lovely or handsome". Little is known about Epaphroditus (much less than Timothy). Honestly, because the power to heal didn't originate from within Paul. Spam, March 31 2022 serve, you can meet physical needs. Perhaps over-exertion in travel, or perhaps his Macedonian constitution could not bear the enervating air of Rome, or perhaps Paul's prison was unhealthy. The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. God. Whether there were so or no, the exhortation itself traces lightly but surely the lines on which Christians should render, and their fellow-Christians can rightly receive, even praise from men. All through the Book of Acts Paul had only gnosis, partial knowledge of the message of grace, but when we turn to the Prison Letters we suddenly find Paul using that word epignosishe had now received that full knowledge which he didnt have when he wrote to the Corinthians: For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ (Col. 2:1-2). 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. "valued or honored, to hold one dear or in honor, to prize, to deem precious." In AD 60, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and for the next two years, he lived under house arrest ( Acts 28:30-31 ), encouraging local churches via letters written from prison.