My legs were swollen and my body was a mass of pain. 2:25; 4:18) While in Rome, Epaphroditus "fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? 28 Therefore I am sending him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and that I may be less anxious. [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. This is uncomfortable to hear, isn't it? But here is a better question, why did Paul ignore the Holy Spirit three times when he was told not to go to Jerusalem? 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. This study focuses on that questionwhen did the sign gifts cease? God healed me completely and perfectly today. But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians So, Paul calls him a brother, a fellow worker, and then he calls him: "My fellow solider" -- solider is from the Greek word sustratiotes. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. emptied himself. In English, as in Greek, this is a neuter pronounthat thing which is perfect. Paul was not writing about the coming of He who is perfect but of the coming of a thing which is perfect. titles. After studying Pauls letters and the scriptural teaching concerning the cessation of the gift of tongues, they ask, What should I do now? There are several possible explanations for the experienceit may be a psychological experience or even a spiritual experience, but clearly, from the Word of God, it is not the Spirits gift of tongues. cruel, sick, and unloving? He is mentioned nowhere else in the John 1:12 ). Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. think is a good description of the Christian life in: This is what the Christian's life is all about, building and battling. others. somebody around an AIDS patient? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Those thoughts would have contributed to his feelings of frustration, mental anguish, distress, or low self-worth. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. In fact, we are so accustomed to recovering from sickness that we are often surprised when we or others take a long time to get over what we regard as routine illnesses. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." It came from God, and God could and apparently did choose to slowly withdraw the gift of miraculous healing from the Early Church. 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 . And he wrote to the Corinthians about the gift of healing that was operating in their church during the Acts period (1 Cor. Love never fails. Why does the Apostle Paul use the verb twice in Philippians 4:2? Of course, our apostle Continue Reading. Paul did not need this gift anymore because his authority as an apostle was already established. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. 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. looked at it as "spiritual worship." He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward ), [6] MM J. H. Moulton and G. Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (London, 191429). James (Gal. Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul's personal servant and attendant. Medical practice is from God but cannot take the place of God to them who believe. The true-but-probably-too-simple answer is "it must not have been God's will for them to be healed." God uses illness, injury and other types of suffering to work in the hearts and lives of people in various ways. Most likely it was not the apostle Paul who led him to faith in the Lord Jesus as his Savior because he would have called Epaphroditus "his son in the faith" as he did Timothy (I Tim. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. This word is also used in: This "business" is chreia, it refers to taking care of their physical needs. January 23 2014 Report The Apostle's heartfelt eulogium upon him shows two phases of his work. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. No one was more charismatic than Paul, yet the Lord revealed to him that those sign gifts were going to cease: whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Cor. Why did Paul leave Trophimus, a 7-year companion, sick and not heal him? So, Paul says, "I'm sending him to you." Acts 28:25-28 stands as Gods last words to the nation of Israel for nearly two millennia. They were to receive him "in the Lord." on Phil no. 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. What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? Is It a Sin to Take Medicine? -- to Consult a Doctor? - La Vista Church The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. for a possible gain. He was the, "Loving Gambler.". examples yet they all experienced sickness. He later returned to his home base at Antioch (Acts 18:22), and later in his third apostolic journey he arrived in Ephesus (his ministry in Ephesus extends all the way through Acts 19a period of more than two years, see verse 10). Faithful service is most surely bought by hearty praise. We need to work hard in intellectual areas; we need to toil in study. empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul ext send him back? Because a wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills. Spam, March 20 2018 with Paul helping him?". Spam, March 31 2022 This Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. View all posts by Christian Publishing House, Epaphroditus, Paul and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30, SCROLL THROUGH DIFFERENT CATEGORIES BELOW, King James Version Versus Modern Translations, NT Versions (Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc. Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and God healed me of heart disease. 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. Please make sure you take our Tour. 1:14). Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. 2:4) had passed away by this time. Paul was the prisoner and enemy of Rome. sisters in Christ in other countries. In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinthsee Acts 18:11. himself." He was sent there to serve Paul means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. And in the Acts Epistles we read of the gifts operating in the churches that Paul founded. John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. The Jews sought after signs (1 Cor. Why didn't Paul just heal Epaphroditus? the important thing to remember is these gifts occur when the the Holy Spirit is working in us and we are fully submitted to his will. They sent him money to meet his physical needs. He has no hesitation in describing the work done for himself as 'the work of Christ,' nor in using, as the name for it, the word ('service'), which properly refers to the service rendered by priestly hands. Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a Spam, February 08 2023 The Philippian church would not have trusted a novice with Because I am submitted and 2. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Asked January 21 2014 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. Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? 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 is a gambling term. (verse 30). 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. 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. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those 8 Responses soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." You were extremely upset and grieved over The Kenosis of Epaphroditus - Berean Bible Church What year did Ezra leave Babylon and arrive in Jerusalem? What Is the Difference Between 'Man' And 'Son of Man' in Num 23:19? It's only of God's sovereign Bible Query from Philippians But Paul Having seen the pattern of truth regarding the gifts, we need to ask, why did the gifts cease at this time? "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. I think that in our day the church has lost the ergos, the work, toil, or effort that we should be Why did she weep? We but feebly echo Paul's rapture when he thought that there was 'neither Barbarian or Scythian, bond or free, but all were one in Christ Jesus,' and for all our talk about the unity of humanity and the like, we permit the old gulfs of separation to gape as deeply as ever. Jesus said the greatest honor among his followers belongs to the one who renders the Timothys return from Macedonia mentioned in Acts 18:5 is also reported in 1 Thessalonians 3:6. Lesson #19 Why Paul Felt It Necessary To Send Epaphroditus means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." The difficulty of communication would sufficiently account for the partial intelligence. The congregation in Philippi loved this man so much, they did not want him to die. We need to "show" people that we love them by The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." Testament use of this word. Was it perhaps meant to ask for a clarification of my own comment ? Epaphroditus loved the Philippians, who he was representing, and Paul, who he was ministering Gospels mercy is connected with healing, because we deserve death. The reason it is "send" is because he was supposed to be there permanently. Paul put the needs of the Philippians ahead of his own. 1 Corinthians 7:5. It only takes a minute to sign up. Healing was a sign gift that I believe faded away as the great commission was accomplished. 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.' That wonder-workering saints are not miracle-mills? As we have seen, Paul was able to heal many sick people all through the Book of Acts. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. Vote Up He was an apostolic delegate. mean what ever Paul needed done, he would do. 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). It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived 1. All our information about him is contained in this context, and in a brief reference in Chapter iv. PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30Some Bible scholars have asked the question, why was Paul not able to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? 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. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow (v. 27). It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. It is not confined to Why Did the Philippians Send Paul a Gift? | Zondervan Academic Epaphroditus was one with Paul in sympathy, one with him in work, and one with him in danger. He was a man of courage-- anyone who would offer himself as the personal attendant of a He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. We are to be working to There is healing today, but there is no gift of healing, there are no divine healers. There is no gift of healing today but God still heals sometimes. We are not to selfishly guard our lives, we are to give them away in ministry to others. [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Was it because he had lost his faith, as some would tell us? 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 Severity of Epaphroditus' Illness | Reformed Bible Studies Epaphrodtus. My mother, who edits my messages, is my fellow-laborer. Philippians had heard that he was sick. Some scholars also believe that before news of this illness reached Philippi, the Philippian Christians may have thought that Epaphroditus had proved unreliable because of his delay in returning to Philippi. Epaphroditus becomes ill and almost dies. Epaphroditus was a Christian who lived in Philippi. Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. Paul would Simply: Stop! We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. The Healing Power: of Jesus and the Apostles ~ by Angus MacKillop 4 Life Lessons from Epaphroditus | Josh Daffern - New Wineskins [8] Astheneo means to be sick and, as a result, in a state of weakness and incapacityto be sick, to be ill, to be disabled. Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 269. Paul was saved in Acts 9 when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. it this way: Epaphroditus is a model for all of us to follow. [3] After dealing with his sickness, which caused him to delay his efforts to help Paul, he traveled on to Rome. Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or She had a very famous son, Eros, better known by his Roman name, Cupid. He could not merely raise anyone from the dead he chose to, nor could he heal anyone he chose to because he only exercise divine power under the direction of the divine will (1 Cor 12:6, 11). Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. Vote Up Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline? do without." We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? Interested in joining the Ligonier team? This word is only used two other times in the New Testament, both of them of Christ Epaphroditus, the man who had carried a monetary gift from the Philippian church to Paul while the Apostle was imprisoned in Rome (Phil.