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“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Cor. 13:7 NLT)
Epaphroditus was a messenger or apostle sent by the Philippian Church with a gift of money to Paul when Paul was in prison in Rome (Phil 2:25; 4:18). While he was at Rome, Epaphroditus fell ill and almost died. The Philippian Church was distressed when they heard of his illness. When he recovered, Paul thought it necessary to send him back to Philippi with a letter to the church. Epaphroditus had longed to return to his church to personally allay the anxieties of the church.
We observe God’s love demonstrated by Epaphroditus in ministering to Paul’s needs. He displayed that quality of love that endures through all circumstances (1 Cor. 13:7 NLT), even to the point of losing his life, to make up for the help that the Philippian believers could not render to Paul, being far away (Phil. 2:30).
Indeed, how far do we go to help our brothers and sisters in Christ? We can follow the example of Epaphroditus of how, literally, love goes the distance to meet needs. In making that long journey to Rome, he was willing go so far as to risk his own life for the work of Christ. However, God had mercy on him and healed him. God is very just and He will not forget our work and labour of love which we demonstrate in His Name when we minister to God’s people, the saints (Heb. 6:10). To minister to the needs of our fellow believers is a work of Christ.
Paul commends Epaphroditus as a brother in Christ, companion in labour or fellow worker, and a fellow soldier who had ministered to him. Epaphroditus cared for Paul like a brother. He co-laboured with Paul: sowing the seeds, tending the young stalks and reaping the rich harvest for Christ. He fought alongside Paul in the spiritual battle as a fellow soldier of Christ. Paul charges the Philippian Church to welcome and receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with all gladness and to honour and greatly appreciate men like him. We are to acknowledge or recognise those believers who refresh the spirits of our fellow workers in Christ (Phil. 2:29; 1 Cor. 16:18). Let us press on to go the distance, enduring everything without weakening, to refresh the spirits of our fellow believers and meet their needs.
